Over this past spring break, some students took the time to travel away from home and experience something new. Many students took the opportunity to use break to escape the unpredictable St. Louis weather, waking up to sunny, tropical weather internationally instead. Other students spent their break in the states, exploring our homeland.

“I went on a Norwegian cruise to Cozumel, Honduras, Belize and Costa Maya,” Aubrey Cillo (12) said.

Several students explored new places with their friends. Cillo traveled with her friend, Samantha St John (11). An international trip can also be a fun opportunity to make new connections with people of different cultures and backgrounds.

“My favorite part of the trip was being able to make new friends from people all over the world,” St John said.

Traveling somewhere new provides many opportunities to experience new things. From beautiful wildlife, to food, to excursions, it can be an eye-opening experience to engage in different cultures and make fun memories.

“The most interesting place was Roatan because I got to learn how different their culture and everyday life is. I also got to do ziplining and hold different animals,” St John said.

Many students spent their spring break exploring the cultural traditions of other countries. Others, however, enjoyed their time participating in the traditions of our own country. Over spring break, Chicago had its annual St. Patrick’s day celebration.

“My sister took a picture with a leprechaun by the Chicago River,” Elle Waterkotte (12) said.

Partaking in big city festivities can be the go-to way for some to spend their break, though some students sought to enjoy the quiet nature of the countryside rather than bustling city life.

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“I went to a small town called Max in North Dakota,” Rose Thompson (11) said.

Even in places that may seem like entertainment options are slim, there can be many ways to enjoy spring break that some might find unconventional.

“The most interesting place we visited was probably the Dairy Queen. The ‘big city’ was Minot, North Dakota, where we drove 30 minutes to get groceries. In reality, it’s a very small city,” Thompson said.

Spring break can also be a chance for students to reconnect with those they don’t get to see in everyday life.

“My favorite part about this trip was seeing my best friend, who I haven’t seen in four years but have been keeping in contact with ever since I moved from there in 2022,” Thompson said. “One of my favorite memories from this trip was recreating a photo from when we were 12, riding bareback together on my friend’s horse. We look so much older, and that same horse is now older and grayer, too, but it was so sweet to see how even with distance we didn’t grow apart.”

The memories of trying new things, going to new places and participating in new cultures can be the highlight of some student’s trips. For others, the most memorable part of their trip was the people they spent it with.

“I would absolutely travel there again,” Thompson said. “Not because of the place, but because of the people.”