Students and faculty from UAlbany's School of Public Health are getting ready for a little week long trip, but it isn't for rest and relaxation. They're heading to New Orleans to help out with the ongoing struggle from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

"This is a project where students can learn as they do good, and they're learning some of the skills of public health officials," said Assistant Dean for Global Health Carol Whittaker.

For one student, it's her first visit.

"I'm kind of anxious to see what has been done down there so far and what hasn't been done even though it's been four years," said student Sherrie Strain.

And another is returning.

Actually last year what we did is we gutted a lot of houses so there are a lot of houses that haven't even been touched since the hurricane and that was three years after," said student Theresa Creten.

It's says something to help out; it's says another to do this on your winter break.

"After a long semester you want to just relax, but you feel so good after doing volunteer work that it's definitely worth taking the time out of your break to do it," said Strain.

"We do have fun too, we were going down before New Year's on purpose so we can spend the holiday down there and New Orleans is a great city and there's lots to do once we're done volunteering," said Creten.

And although it's been four years since the city dealt with the harsh blows of Hurricane Katrina, their rebuilding is far from over.

"Since we've gone every year, what changes there are from year to year and unfortunately the last couple of years there haven't been the changes we would have wanted," said Whittaker.

But still, the feeling here is the more you give the more you get.

"They are volunteers, first, last, and always, and when there's a need they'll come forward to help, we're very proud of them," said Whittaker.

A positive way to begin a new year.