Students plan for one week of spring break fun

By Eliana Raik
For The Daily

With spring break just around the corner, advertisements for cruises and travel packages with catchy phrases such as "Great beaches and night life" and "Free beer all week!" are popping up all across campus.

Students have already started thinking about a whole week without classes, and are making plans that include vacationing, relaxing, volunteering and even working.

This year, as in the past, vacationing in a warm place is key to the travel plans of many University students.

"Most people want to go to Cancun, Acapulco, Jamaica and Florida," said Christa Weddle, a travel consultant for Boersma Travel.

But there is a downside to traveling to these exotic places. Expense is an important factor affecting where and how students embark on their spring break excursions, Weddle said.

MALLORY S. E. FLOYD/Daily LSA Sophomore Ghri Panjavi buys plane tickets for her spring break vacation. Many University students are planning trips out of Michigan.

"A lot of people go in groups of 10 or more to make it cheaper," Weddle said. "It includes airfare and hotel expenses."

LSA first-year student Kyle Marshall said he was surprised at how affordable his plane ticket was.

"I got a good deal on a plane ticket," Marshall said. "It's cheaper than taking the train."

Other places not as warm as the typical resort locations are still among students' favorite hot spots.

"I'm going to New Orleans with a group of friends," said LSA sophomore Amanda Scotese. "We're going to stay in a hostel and party."

A week without schoolwork is not a break for some students who are choosing to forego a tropical vacation to earn some money.

"I'll probably be working at home," said SNRE sophomore Tim Carmody. "For lack of money, I won't be taking a vacation."

Planning for spring break has become more of an unpleasant experience than cause for excitement for students struggling academically.

"I was going to go to Jamaica but now I can't because I got a 'C' in sociology and my mom won't let me go," said Music first-year student Melissa Ogden.

Spring break is an opportunity for many University students to volunteer their time to help the community. Alternative Spring Break, a community service program sponsored by ProjectSERVE, is one way that students have chosen to spend their time off from school.

"There are 39 different sites where 350 to 400 students will be assigned," said Shari Strauss, a member of the ASB Leadership Team. "Students will work with a variety of issues including HIV/AIDS related issues, hunger, poverty, and women's issues."

Some students are frustrated because the University's spring break does not coincide with that of other colleges and universities.

"My friends from home are going to the Bahamas the week after Michigan's spring break - I can't go," said LSA first-year student Anita Mohan.

But not everyone sees the University's comparatively early spring break as negative.

"I'm going down to Florida," said Business junior Ahsan Chaudhri. "I'm an international student and would like to visit a part of this country that I haven't seen yet."

The break can also be a chance for students to visit friends and family in other places.

"I'm going to Chicago to visit my cousin," said LSA junior London Bell.

But for others, spring break is just another week.

"I don't like to vacation," said Engineering junior Azwan Abdul-Aziz. "Here I have my books so I can catch up on my studies."

02-03-98