Alternative Service Experience

The mission of the Alternative Service Experience program at Appalachian State University is to provide learning opportunities by engaging in meaningful service and dialogue

The Four Pillars of ASE

• Service Together
  • Participants engage in mutually beneficial relationships with community partners to complete service that has the potential to be transformational for oneself and the partnering community.
• Full Engagement
  • Participants actively engage in service and reflections while abstaining from drugs, alcohol, and excessive use of technology as a means to allow for full immersion in the experience.
• Thoughtful Dialogue
  • Meaningful conversations are encouraged through the inclusion of varying perspectives and daily reflections encompassing social justice issues, personal growth, and active citizenship in communities.
• Simple Living
  • An alternative lifestyle is approached in these programs, encompassing the principles of carbon neutrality, vegetarianism, and living on a limited budget for housing and meals.