Spring Break
March 13, 2009 - Ana BarbuNow that spring break is just around the corner, some students might find themselves wondering how they could spend this blissful week when they don't have to wake up in the morning, or rush from one building to another to attended classes and participate in campus activities. It's a little rough for international students because their home countries are thousands of miles away, so it's not worth the while and the money to fly to see mom, dad, your siblings, and pets for a week. What can you do?
Here
You may not realize it, but the Garden City campus during spring break isn't such an awful place to be. Since the campus greens are starting to open their eyes and shake off that winter drowsiness around this time, the campus will be super quiet and will give you time to relax, study, or just sleep, to replenish your forces for the rest of the semester. The downside of spending a little more than a week on campus without your roommates is that boredom and loneliness might be on the prowl and will see you as a sitting duck. Don't panic; why not fight it off with productive academic activities instead? Also, the meal choices are not too varied during breaks because most of the students go home or on trips. Look at the silver lining: you can make this an excuse to go out and about, see a movie, do a little shopping (or window shopping if you don't have too much money to spare), and enjoy a meal or two off campus! Also, don't forget that the shuttle bus schedule changes during spring break.
There
Let's see...what can you do off campus? Go to Manhattan, perhaps? You know that feeling you get when you're swamped in homework up to your ears? Well, this is your chance to break free, hop on the next train, and go to the City. The Metropolitan Museum of Art on 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street doesn't require you to pay an admission fee: you can give as little or much as you like. Greenwich Village in downtown Manhattan has many cheap eateries, cool bookstores and record stores, and a bohemian atmosphere to offer. You could also go explore a certain part of Manhattan you've been meaning to see, but haven't had the opportunity because of the heavy school workload. So remember, there's always something to do in New York City!
and Everywhere
It may be a little unrealistic due to the present economic environment, but this is just a thought: why not fight the odds (if your part time job or your parents' allowance is pays well enough) and change the scenery completely and go to Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, San Diego, or Miami? You might be thinking that it's too late to plan a trip now, but just humor yourself and go to Expedia, Travelocity or Orbitz to search for cheap flights. It's worth a try: you might even find a reduced package that includes the airfare and the hotel. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your spring break!
