Andrew Cheng
Contributing Writer
Spring break has always been an iconic part of American college life, and UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), is no exception. From going on road trips, to spending time with family, to participating in sports activities, some students tour classically popular places (like New York City or Cabo San Lucas) while other students may explore more local destinations (like Disneyland). However, regardless of activity or destination, the stories of UCSB students are all exciting, and The Bottom Line (TBL) had the opportunity to speak with some UCSB students about their journeys.
Exploring nearby areas is a popular choice for UCSB students. The Santa Barbara area, after all, is a lovely place in which to unwind, relax, and celebrate. UCSB student David Lyu, told TBL, “I went to Stryker for airsoft and downtown Santa Barbara for lunch, apart from that, I stayed at home, since someone must guard my apartment.” The vast amount of fun things to do in the Santa Barbara area also enhanced the spring break experience of many UCSB students. Given that spring break typically lasts just under ten days, many opt to stay local instead of traveling far. This short and well-deserved break allows students, like David Lyu and countless others, the chance to unwind and recharge. For them, the spring break reprieve served its main purpose of being a chance for students to relax while also balancing fun in creative ways.
Many students prefer to travel home for the break. UCSB student Sharon Lee said, “My spring break was great. I rode the San Francisco cable cars for the first time and met UCSB alumni from the ‘70s there … I also met with hometown friends I hadn’t seen in a while and also hung out with current friends from college. I wouldn’t say it’s a refreshing break but definitely a much-needed one to remember that school isn’t everything.” Indeed, the proximity of UCSB to the Bay Area and Los Angeles, where many students have homes, makes spring break an ideal time for them to travel home.
Other UCSB students may decide to travel to famous tourist destinations in the United States and even around the world! UCSB student Johnson Leung said, “I went to Berlin for spring break where I did some sightseeing around the city … Berlin had good food, tasty bread, and overall, I had a great time”. While spring break may be short, there is certainly no shortage of travel enthusiasts at UCSB who are interested in exploring various destinations internationally.
The many options for UCSB students during spring break reflects the diversity of our campus. Regardless of the choice of destination for UCSB students, spring break offers an amazing time to relax from a tough academic quarter and the opportunity to explore different destination choices.