Spring Break Traveling Between College Students In 2021
Hammond, La.- Spring Break is one of the most important weeks for some college students, and for others it is just a week to relax. For those who take it seriously and look forward to it, usually go to the beach in either Alabama or Florida.
According to the Chicago Tribune, in 2019 more than 50% of college students around the country go the beaches of Alabama and Florida. This year however in Louisiana, numbers were up from last year because beaches were closed but went up just a little due to not all schools having a spring break.
According to NPR.org, only 12% of students planned to travel for spring break. That number was up to 16% a week before that final 12% came out. Also, those who are traveling are going to places like Galveston, Texas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Florida, both states that have lifted mask mandates and have less capacity restrictions. With Southeastern Louisiana University’s spring break being a week, students decided it was time to get to the beach.
“I am kind of a beach bum. I love the beach and when they were closed last year, I was very upset. That is why I had to go for spring break this year,” said sophomore Shelby Villere.
Shelby went on to say, “I honestly have gone to the beach for spring break every year since I was 10. It’s a family and friends’ tradition, I guess. I was distraught when that tradition came to an end last year.”
“I went to the beach for spring break this year because I know it was closed last year and there was going to be a lot of people there this year to make for a great time. It was indeed a great time and I am glad I went this year,” said sophomore Frankie Durio.
According to NPR.org, many colleges and universities around the country have cancelled or shortened their schools spring break. University of California-Davis did not cancel their spring break but went as far as offering students 75 dollars to stay either at home or on campus instead of traveling.
In the state of Louisiana, not all colleges and universities had a spring break in 2021. Although there were a few schools that did have a break, Southeastern included, students decided to just stay home and relax.
“I stayed home because I know that COVID-19 is still out there and it is still a serious disease. I want to go out and have fun but I decided to put my safety first and that’s why I stayed home and relaxed,” said sophomore Justin Gelpi.
Freshman Nina Foil said, “I love going to the beach, especially for spring break. This year has been different and made me think about my choices. I could have gone but I decided that with an older family member living with me the beach was not a good move.”
This year, spring break traveling went up compared to spring break last year in 2020. Even though traveling went up among college students this year, many students ultimately chose to stay home because of the uncertainty amid the pandemic.
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