Planes, trains and automobiles–it’s that time of year again. Spring break is only a week away and many are making the last minute arrangements for the week of margarita madness.
Some of this year’s top locations include the Bahamas, Jamaica and the reigning champion of spring break destinations, Cancun. Panama City will also be a big party site this year as MTV will be broadcasting its MTVU specials from its beaches. Other areas like Europe, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta will also be seeing a lot of action this year.
Unfortunately, not everyone can make it to those foreign, crystal blue waters of the beaches to the south or overseas to Europe, so included below are some tips of spring break hot spots that don’t need a passport, such as Florida, Miami and northern ski resorts. However you’re planning to travel, don’t forget to get that student discount through sources such as STA and Student Universe.
Also included below is information on Alternative Spring Break trips for those looking to give back their community over the break.
While having fun is also important, so is the safety of every student traveling next week. Juliette Grimmett has compiled a couple of tips to help students be on the look out for potentially dangerous situations.
Top 10 spring break locations of 2009
Cancun Bahamas and Jamaica Panama City Acapulco Miami and South Beach South Padre Island Puerto Vallarta and Mazaltan North American Ski Resorts Europe Baja
source: www.studenttravel.about.com
No passport? No problem.
With spring break only a week away, it’s a little late to be getting a rush on that passport to visit those foreign destinations. Since passports are only required for air travel, there are still plenty of options open to students without passports. Driving to Mexico, for instance, is allowed until June. Students can also fly to U.S. territories such as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without a passport. Also, consider destinations within the U.S. like Florida.
Passport-less spring break options
Drive to Mexico. But, be sure to plan and research the trip. Some southern locations in Mexico are not easily doable over spring break. Go to the Caribbean. U.S. territories are a part of the United States, meaning no passport is needed for the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Aloha Hawaii. Though maybe a bit low key for a college spring break, Hawaii’s black sand beaches and incredible surf is still an attractive destination. Trade the sand for some snow. Hit the slops anywhere from Colorado to Canada (no passport needed to drive) or even take an amtrak train. Florida. Grab a cheap flight or make it a road trip. Either way, there will be plenty of other boys and girls soaking up some rays in the Sunshine State. Daytona Beach, Miami and Key West will all be hosting spring break-ers, but the biggest party will be in Panama Beach with MTVU’s 2009 spring break coverage. Texas style. Visit South Padre Island and scoot down to Mexico for a night or two. South of the Border. The sun may not be that hot, but Myrtle Beach offers plenty of action off the beach.
source: www.studenttravel.about.com
Student Discounts
Whether traveling by the skies or on the road, student discounts are everywhere. Sites like Student Universe and Student Travel Agency offer discounted student airfare and often have special deals and promotions. Airtran U also offers discounted travel to those ages 18-22 and Amtrak offers student discounts as well. Another option is taking a Greyhound bus at a student discount.
source: www.studenttravel.about.com
Staying safe after hours
Safety is a major concern for students, parents and others over spring break. While it is important to look after oneself, it is equally important to look out for those around you as well. Juliette Grimmett, Rape Prevention Education Coordinator at the Women’s Center, said students need to try to be a more proactive bystander for their friends and strangers as well.
“If you see something that you know is sketchy, please do something about it–if you say something, others will too,” Grimmett said.
To help students understand what being a proactive bystander means, Grimmett compiled five tips to help students keep their friends and others safe. Furthermore, if any instance of rape or sexual assault does occur while on break, the Women’s Center offers confidential counseling and guidance. The Women’s Center is located on the third floor of Talley, room 3120 and 3121. The center can also be reached at 919-515-2012.
If you see a sketchy person constantly feeding another person drinks, try to get the feeder out of the club or party. If you see someone talking to someone you know has a history of rape or abuse, warn that person. If you see a shady person trying to get someone alone and they appear to be drunk or not in the right mindset, pull the person aside and ask them if they need your help. Then get the shady person to leave the party because they will find someone else to do it to. If you see a person grabbing or slapping people on the butt or other areas of the body, get the person kicked out. This is illegal. If you overhear a person telling someone their plans to get someone drunk to have sex with them, get this person out of the party. This is a plan for rape.
Alternative Spring Breaks
Some students opt to volunteer on their breaks, which can be a rewarding experience. Alternative spring break trips can be in the lands of sun and sand or in many other appealing locations like Belize or the Dominican Republic.
Though spending break doing community service may not sound like fun to begin with, students who have participated have found that giving back can be more rewarding than a sunburn.
Kylee Phillips, senior in accounting and president of the Inter-Residence Council, participated in the first trip to the island of Hoonah in Alaska last year. Phillips said since it was the first trip to Alaska, team members focused on seeing what the real issues were and found that education and the environment were at the top of the list.
“We worked with the forestry services and learned about the issues going on,” Phillips said. “But the majority of our trip was an educational focus.”
Whitney Chrisco, junior in biology, went to Belize last year on an ASB trip and worked on a women’s center located in a Myan village. The center allows women in the village to make arts and crafts that they can then sell and make money for their family.
“We replaced the roof, made a sidewalk, painted the inside and outside, built shelves, and a desk for a nearby school,” Chrisco said. “We also served in the school and got to help students prepare for their entrance exams to high school.”
Volunteering isn’t the only thing on the agenda for ASB trips. Chrisco said her team went snorkeling, hiked in the rainforest, traveled to nearby cities and stayed at the Belize Zoo on the last day.
Both Phillips and Chrisco agree that ASB trips are wonderful alternatives to a traditional spring break trip because of the experiences that can be gained.
“It really opens your eyees to things that you would never see in a normal location or on a cruise,” Chrisco said. “Even if you just visited, you would never really learn about the culture.
Chrisco will be leading a medical team to the Dominican Republic next week and will be teaching health education to both kids and adults.
Phillips will going to Belize with a focus on environmental issues.
“We are in college and we think that we are poor or stressed out about classes but in the grand scheme of things, these trips just open your eyes,” Phillips said. “It’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Phillips also said that the IRC helps four ASB participants pay for their trip through $200 scholarships. The application process for an ASB trip begins at the beginning of the school year through CSLEPS. CSLEPS offers about 15-20 trips per year and each trip varies by its location and service focus.
Though the deadline for CSLEPS ASB trips has passed, students can get involved in their community through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. For more information on alternative spring break ideas, visit www.studenttravel.about.com or visit www.ncsu.edu/csleps/service/asb for more information on university ASB trips.
