Break With a Purpose

BWAP is not a mission trip. We do not go in hopes of evangelizing, converting, or otherwise colonizing the places we go. Rather, we seek to come alongside, listen to, and learn from folks who are part of the communities we enter. We believe that we have more to gain from these experiences than we have to give. As we partner with and bear witness to God’s work in unfamiliar places, we become more equipped to do so in the place(s) we call home.

We also acknowledge that opportunities to learn and grow in this way are part of the set of privileges afforded to us as residents and citizens of the United States. These privileges make all of us complicit (to different degrees based on our unique identities) in many of the systems that create the problems we see in the world. Along with an eagerness to learn and excitement to serve, we also come with humility, knowing that we are not the solution to all the world’s problems. We engage this tension directly and intentionally in our team trainings and trip reflections.

Any undergraduate or graduate student at UW-Madison may apply for BWAP.

BWAP is led by Rev. Nii Addo Abrahams, the Director of Campus Ministry at Pres House. Learn more about him here.

The volunteer work focuses on rebuilding projects. Depending on the skills present in the group or pending projects, volunteer teams will be assigned to a house or to a particular project at the organization offices. Because projects are constantly changing (depending on the work of teams working before the group arrives and/or weather), specifics tasks will be shared 1-3 days before the arrival of the group.

Here are some projects our team worked on in 2023:

• organization, maintenance, & gardening at TPMG headquarters
• installing & painting wooden walls in collaboration with a homeowner
• basic carpentry & woodworking, with supervision and training from TPMG staff
• supply delivery to project homes

Your $500 BWAP registration fee covers transportation (airfare and/or rental vehicle), lodging, any required pre-trip resources, and all meals, site admissions, and team activities during the trip.

Students with financial constraints can request a scholarship from Pres House for up to half of the standard registration fee. To request a scholarship, please apply using the normal application, and answer the prompts accordingly. You will need to briefly describe your financial need and indicate how much of the registration fee you can pay.

Once paid, registration fees are non-refundable.

***BWAP trips regularly cost $1500-$2000 per student. We are able to offer these trips at a substantial discount thanks to the generosity of Pres House donors. 

U.S. Citizens
No. U.S. citizens can travel to Puerto Rico using any form of TSA-approved ID.

Non-U.S. Citizens
Yes. You will need a valid passport with an unexpired U.S. visa, a valid Form I-20, and a valid, unexpired Form I-94. More information is available through International Student Services.

Yes. International students will need a valid passport with an unexpired visa, a valid Form I-20 (must have a travel signature), and a valid, unexpired Form I-94. However, depending on your country of origin, you may be required to present additional documents, and you’ll need to contact International Student Services to obtain signatures. You can apply for the trip before securing the required document(s) and signature(s).

No. Speaking Spanish is not required to volunteer in Puerto Rico through PDA, and staff at host sites and work sites will be bilingual. However, it’s important to be aware not everyone in Puerto Rico speaks or feels comfortable speaking English. Learning basic Spanish is always encouraged.

Here is some additional guidance from Frontera de Cristo, our BWAP 2026 partner, about how to navigate language differences:

• Don’t be shy about speaking Spanish, no matter how rusty it may be. Individuals you will meet will appreciate such attempts and will be more likely to strike up a conversation.
• If you don’t speak Spanish well, you may have the opportunity to speak to someone through an interpreter. In these situations, remember to speak directly to the person you’re speaking with, not to the interpreter. This shows respect for the person you’re talking with and helps you connect with them as a human being regardless of the language difference.

To apply, be prepared to submit:

• Personal information (e.g. legal name, address, phone number, etc.)
• Gender identity. Most airlines require this information as part of the booking process; we do not share this information with anyone other than the airline.
• Emergency contact
• Proof of health insurance
• Medical information (medications, conditions, allergies, dietary restrictions, vaccine records)
• Statement of intent. All team members must agree to abide by the team member expectations.
• Liability waiver

Here are the questions you’ll see on the application which require a written answer. Please limit your responses to 500 words or less.

• Why do you want to go on this trip?
• Describe your previous BWAP experiences (if any) and their impact on your life.
• Describe your involvement with the Pres House community.
• Describe your ability to speak, read, and/or understand Spanish.
• Please list any questions or concerns you have regarding BWAP.

There are eleven spots available on this trip. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we reserve a certain number of spots for certain groups:

• CEO residents ~ 3 spots
• First-time BWAP participants ~ 2 spots
• BIPOC students ~ 3 spots

The reserved spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis for those who qualify.

• If you qualify for multiple reserved spots and your application is accepted, you will only be counted as filling one spot. For example, if spots for first-time participants and BIPOC participants are both available when you apply, you would fill one first-time participant spot.
• Once the reserved spots are filled, students who qualify should still apply, as any remaining non-reserved spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

We encourage anyone who is interested, regardless of whether they qualify for a reserved spot, to apply as early as possible. If the available spots fill, you will be added to a waitlist and invited to join the team if more spots become available.

Apply anyway! Students who apply after the team is already filled will be added to a waitlist. If a spot opens up, we will reach out to people in waitlist order.