A Different Kind of Break

Thursday, 19 March 2009 15:11

It is that time of year again! Time to put away the school books, forget about those looming research papers, oral presentations, or other academic deadlines that must be met before month’s end. Spring Break 2009 is in full swing all across America.

Thousands of college students will flock to party hot-spots for a week of pleasure and fun-in-the-sun. One only has to watch the evening news to witness the seemingly endless parties which entice students to spend a good deal of cash (or perhaps max out their school-sponsored Visa) for a week-long binge.

This writer will never understand the thought process behind the spring break mentality. I could think of a thousand better things to do with my time and money than to lose all sense of self responsibility for a week. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to spend a week on the white beaches of Cancun, or lie in the hot Florida sun and soak up the pleasure of complete rest and relaxation. But the cultural expectation of today’s spring break is to simply party, party, party.

Luckily there are others who share this belief in skipping the stereotypical spring break vacation. But unlike people such as yours truly, who will take advantage of a little down-time and home and perhaps pick up some additional hours at work for some quick cash, others are seeking alternatives for the traditional spring break destinations.

For example, consider the 23 Georgetown University students who refrained from vacationing with their classmates in order to build a house for a needy family in Georgia through a school-sponsored partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Such spring break programs are popping up across the nation and giving young people the opportunity to impact the lives of others by donating their time and their commitment to help build better communities.

These exemplary students, and many others just like them, have traded a bikini for a hammer, a suntan for sunburn, and a week lack of any real sense of responsibility with a hard-day’s work.

Jillian Ugol, a graduate student from Georgetown University, says that her motivation to participate in an alternative spring break program stemmed from the inspiration she received by other volunteer-minded students. “I love the people that go on these trips, and I love the genuineness of everyone,” Ugol said.

Kudos to Ms. Ugol, her classmates, and all other students who have chosen to inspire others by taking part in a number of spring break alternatives this year.

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