Most students traveling south for Spring Break plan to get a little sun, just not while they are working on the roof of a house under construction.

Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring a Spring Break Collegiate Challenge trip with groups traveling to Tallahassee, Fla., and Biloxi, Miss.

“I can almost build my own house now because I learned so many little things,” said Christine Burton, University Habitat for Humanity President. “I still keep in contact with people I have met from other schools in past years.”

Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit Christian organization responsible for the building and reconstruction of houses nationwide, has one opening left for the Tallahassee trip. The cost is $170 and does not cover the cost of meals.

However, working on houses for the first time can be intimidating for many students.

“I was nervous at first because I had never done any construction before,” said trip participant Jessica Park. “But everyone was so nice and helpful, it was amazing.”

The families who will be living in the finished homes also participate in the construction process.

“Habitat has a Sweat Equity program which requires the members of the family to work so many hours before they can live in it,” Burton said. “Being able to work with the families was really rewarding.”

Habitat for Humanity provides the opportunity for the formation of close bonds with students from Bowling Green as well as other universities across the nation.

“Habitat is a great way to meet a whole lot of people,” said trip participant Erin Genied. “It’s a lot of fun even if you don’t know anyone at the start of the trip.”

Trip participants agree that being able to give back to the community and help others is the most rewarding aspect of Habitat for Humanity.

“Habitat is the most amazing thing I’ve ever done,” said Park. “A tan fades, but I’ll have memories from Habitat forever.”