Do Your Research (Really!): Tips to a Splendid Spring Break
March 2, 2010 | Alicia Ostarello
Are you ready for break?
You know that saying, “It was like I was in another country?” Well, it’s darn tootin’ true. College friends, spring break is rapidly approaching and if I’ve learned anything since I took a quick trip across the border to Tijuana, Mexico this weekend, all I can say is: do your reasearch.
I know, you’re tired of research. You’re ready to chuck your laptop under your twin extra-long bed and vamoose into Springbreakland. But honestly, if you’re thinking of dipping across country lines or even state lines, you’re going to want to gather as much information about your destination as possible.
Eliminate the Unexpected in Travel
So, the last thing you want to do is cross the turnstile into Mexico and then realize you have no idea how to get to the footbridge that is supposed to take you to the center of town. It leaves you vulnerable and with a look of pure “TOURIST” stuck over your face. By checking out About.com or another travel website, you can find tons of detailed information as to how to get anywhere, from what to say at customs to the best way to get a safe cab-ride.
Eliminate the Unexpected in Culture
A grandiose case of culture shock is common in a new place; much like your first few months in the dorms, a new location is incredibly different than what you’re accustomed to. For example, in Tijuana the vendors are very aggressive in what they are trying to sell you. They walk right up to you on the street and try to cajole you into their business. I wasn’t ready to be approached on the sidewalk, and at first felt a little uneasy about it. When I realized that’s just how it is, I was comforted. Check out the Wikipedia page on your Spring Break destination to learn about different ways of life and what you might encounter on vacation.
Eliminate the Language Gap
If you’re venturing into a country whose language you don’t have a working knowledge of, you are putting yourself in an incredibly vulnerable position to be taken advantage of. Imagine that someone else is getting you a cab and giving the cab driver directions. How do you know what they’ve said? We never want to think the worst about anyone, but having a basic understanding of key words and phrases can help you navigate your break with ease. And even if you’re headed to somewhere in your country, like southern California, knowing lingo like “Awesome” and that they call pop “soda” is handy, too!
You spend a lot of time in college in the classroom, but remember that breaks are just as important to your education. Learning how to spend your free time, how to manage money, and how to find balance between responsibilities and freedom are almost as important as knowing the History of Costa Rica or the square root of an Algebraic function.
