Ever wonder what your SMU CCPA peers were up to over spring break? This year, we fellows each took unique trips (beach, city, and international), and we’re giving you the lowdown on our travels. Here is our spring break recap, complete with highlights and our Do’s and Dont’s of spring break travel.
Location: Kukio, Hawaii (Haley)
My friends and I traveled to the Big Island of Hawaii for our last SMU spring break. Instead of another classic college break full of chaos, we opted for a relaxing girls’ trip. Visits to the spa, beachside food service, and beautiful sunsets were the best way to unwind and rest up for the last weeks of the semester. The highlight of the vacation was snorkeling with turtles and my best friends. My advice? Do wake up early for a sunrise beach stroll, pack a cute straw sunhat, and don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen!
Haley’s Pro Tip: Consider an overnight layover for popular spring break destinations. By stopping at our friend’s house in San Francisco on the way, we saved $$$ on airfare!
Location: Barcelona, Spain (Kate)
For this year’s spring break, my friends and I traveled to Barcelona, Spain. We went to visit our friends who were studying abroad. It was my first time in Spain, so I was very excited to explore the city and learn more about Spain’s culture. While we were there, we went to the beach, toured some of Antoni Gaudí´s famous architectural sites, including La Sagrada Família, La Pedrera-Casa Milà, and Park Güell, went to the Moco Museum, ate tons of tapas and saw some amazing sunsets overlooking the beautiful city. Visiting La Sagrada Família is a must! The detail on the unfinished church is truly amazing to see and learn about. My favorite part of the week was exploring a new city with my best friends and reuniting with my friends abroad!
Kate’s Pro Tip: Make sure to pack a comfortable pair of sneakers! We walked almost everywhere in Barcelona, so comfort is essential.
Location: Santa Monica, CA (Sofia)
I traveled to Los Angeles for my last SMU spring break to visit my best friend. We lived together in Santa Monica this past summer, so this week was full of reunions with some of my closest friends. Despite the unusually gloomy weather in LA, we still got to do all of our favorite things: eat pasta with an ocean view at Elefante, hike through Malibu Canyon, shop at Fred Segal, enjoy the best spicy tuna crispy rice at Katsuya and sip on Spicy Mezcal Margaritas at night. The highlight of my week was the drive through Malibu Canyon, being squeezed between the biggest, most breathtaking mountains. It is definitely the most beautiful drive I’ve ever been on!
Sofia’s Pro Tip: There is nothing better than spending time with true friends. Regardless of where you spend your spring break, the people make the place :)
