Collegiate Times

He and fellow junior and mechanical engineering major Lee Doyle are planning a trip to Europe for spring break and just booked their plane tickets a week ago.

"It took about five days to outline the whole trip, but we're still not done with planning," Doyle said.

They plan on visiting three cities, Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. The cities were chosen largely based on where they could find the cheapest plane tickets.

"We'll be staying in hostels, taking as little luggage as possible, using the train system, and won't go out to eat, but instead shop in grocery stores when we're there," Doyle said, all in an effort to save money once in Europe.

Spring break doesn't have to be all pleasure, either. Remember those tours you took in high school to visit prospective colleges? For spring break, make an adult version.

Whether you're a graduating senior planning on getting a job or thinking about a summer internship, plan a trip to visit some companies you may be interested in working for in the future. You can even try and set up interviews, even if to just ask questions about the company and see if it is a right fit for you.

Another less-explored option is the concept of an Alternative Spring Break. These have risen in popularity since Hurricane Katrina, and the Blacksburg YMCA plans several of these trips each spring break. These trips take a group of students to a different area of the country for a week to aid those less fortunate.

This break, the YMCA is leading trips to Dupree, South Dakota and Dulac, Louisiana, about two hours south of New Orleans. "These trips are very different from a normal, typical college break," said Amber Franklin, a representative of the trip from YMCA. "Some focus on social issues and others are labor events."

Students can expect "to get up early, stay in community centers or churches, and be ready to do work for the day," Franklin said.

They have free time in the evenings and usually try to take at least one day trip.

Spring break is coming up fast, so if you haven't already, its time to make some plans. Just don't stress too much, because break is supposed to be a time to have fun, and at least to relax.

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