Spring Break in the US

By: Michelle Ganou

Have you ever heard of “spring break”? Spring break is a popular tradition in American universities. You may have something similar in your country. Most American schools divide the school year into two semesters. The fall semester usually begins near September and ends in December. There is a short winter break until the spring semester. Spring semester then starts again in January and ends in May. Halfway through the spring semester, usually after midterms, there is typically a one-week break given to students. This is “spring break”. The break is a time for students to relax and de-stress. Many students travel for vacation or celebrate the break with parties.

When I was younger, I was fascinated with the concept of an American spring break. I wanted to experience it one day. Before coming to the US, I would recreate the American spring break experience with my friends by going to the beach. I am from West Africa, where I get to enjoy my country’s beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. We are lucky to have such amazing places in the Ivory Coast. By studying in the US, I now have an American spring break. However, Minnesota is very different from home. I would have to travel a lot farther to see the ocean and find a warm beach during spring break. This year, Saint Cloud State University’s spring break is March 9 to March 13. In Minnesota, this time of year is still cold (about 34°F or 1.1°C).

Traveling to warmer places in or out of the US during spring break is very popular. It is the perfect moment for international students to explore the US. Some people spend months preparing themselves for break by saving money and planning their trip. You may be familiar with the image of American college students on spring break traveling to exotic destinations, going on vacation or having parties. In reality, many students do not have the means to travel to exotic places. Some students may have to be creative in planning spring break with fun, low-cost activities. It is important not to be disappointed if your spring break does not look like a stereotypical American spring break experience. In reality, many Americans do not experience spring break in that way. The most important thing is that you take this time to relax and enjoy your free time before finishing the school year.

If you want to see the US, some great places to visit are points of interest like the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, or Yosemite National Park. Popular cities or areas to visit in the US are New Orleans, Las Vegas, Hollywood (Los Angeles), Florida’s beaches, New York City, Chicago, or Hawaii. Depending on where you go to school, some of these locations may be close enough for a short road trip, which can cut down on travel costs. Get some friends together and split the costs! For students on a budget in Minnesota, day trips to the Twin Cities are popular. Chicago is also a low-cost destination with its short distance by car, plane, or bus. We are also not far from national landmarks in South Dakota, such as Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore. If you travel in the US, make sure that you carry a copy of your current I-20 or DS-2019 and your passport, just in case. There are also plenty of things to do at home in Minnesota if you are planning a “staycation”:

• Have a movie day with friends
• See Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis
• Go shopping at Mall of America
• Visit a museum
• Explore other Minnesota towns such as Duluth, Mankato, or Grand Marais.
• Play mini-golf and arcade games at Can Can Wonderland.
• Redecorate your dorm or apartment
• Go roller-skating at Skatin’ Place
• Learn a new skill or hobby
• Volunteer

If you want to travel outside the US, make sure you have everything prepared before departure. Always talk to your DSO or international student advisor before international travel. There are important steps you must take to re-enter the US successfully. Here are some helpful tips to remember:

• Get your Form I-20 signed by your international student advisor at your university. This is a “travel signature”. The signature confirms that you are an active student at your university and that you are in status. You will need to present this form when you travel. The travel signature is valid for one year. Please make sure to give your advisor enough time to review your request before you leave.
• See if the country you are traveling to requires a visa.
• Have your insurance card with you while traveling.
• Check your SCSU e-mail while traveling.
• Check your passport. Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months upon returning to the US in order to re-enter. Make sure your visa is also valid.
• Prepare for re-entry. Have any additional documentation ready that shows your student status, such as an enrollment letter, tuition receipt, admission letter, etc.
• Keep your documents with you when traveling. Do not pack your important documents in your luggage.
• Know your Designated School Official (DSO) or other school official’s contact information in case you have any issues upon reentry.

For more information about travel in and out of the US, visit the St. Cloud State University page for “Travel for F-1 Students”.

We hope that you found this information useful. The most important part is to enjoy your break, no matter what you do—if you are on campus or travelling. The break is meant to give you time to refresh before the end of the year. Enjoy it!

Let us know in the comments when your school breaks typically are and what country you are from. What do you do for break? If you are in the US, how do you plan to spend your spring break?