While many basketball enthusiasts are checking their brackets for the madness of March, students at James Madison University are eagerly preparing for a behind-the-scenes experience at the NCAA Men's Final Four basketball tournament.

JMU students embarked on 19 alternative spring break trips around the country and world this year. The students spent the week serving others while living simply and submerging themselves in the culture of their surroundings.

JMU students embarked on 25 alternative spring break trips around the country and world this year. The students spent the week serving others while living simply and submerging themselves in the culture of their surroundings.

JMU students embarked on 25 alternative spring break trips around the country and world this year. The students spent the week serving others while living simply and submerging themselves in the culture of their surroundings.

JMU students embarked on 23 alternative spring break trips around the country and world this year. The students spent the week serving others while living simply and submerging themselves in the culture of their surroundings.

James Madison University students set out to help serve communities that were affected by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region.

Almost 300 JMU students embarked on 30 alternative spring break trips around the country and world this year. The students spent the week servicing others in their destination community while staying focused on teamwork and reflection within their group. Students practiced living simply and were fully submerged in the culture of their surrounding.

JMU students traveled to Gauyaquil, Ecuador over winter break to volunteer at Escuela Semillita a school that serves children from kindergarten through 12th grade. The trip was part of JMU's award-winning Alternative Break Program.

JMU students spent Thanksgiving break serving others as part of JMU's Alternative Thanksgiving Break program.

When most James Madison University students were packing up for the year and heading home, 50 students quickly shifted gears from focusing on their studies to focusing on others. JMU's Alternative May Break participants packed up and loaded a bus bound for New Orleans, La.

Over 300 JMU students embarked on 30 spring break trips around the country and world. The students spent the week living simply, focused on service in their destination community but also on teamwork and reflection within their group. The following students participated in alternative spring break: