What Did You Do Over Break?

Winter break ran from Dec. 19 to Jan. 12, a little less than a month-long break. For the first few weeks–or all of break–international students were mostly on campus. An international freshman from Tanzania and a student from Syracuse, N.Y. visited New York City for the first time this break. Stefanie Cervantez ’29 remembered moments of getting lost with a friend, but filled with laughter because, although it was strangely new, she was with her host friend from SLU. She says her overall experience was “fire.” 

In comparison to those who’ve grown up in the city students said: “I didn’t do much” “I stayed home” and “I wanted to come back.” Students from the city reported having “ a lot of fun” and “didn’t want to waste it.” Our experience over break seems to be related to the familiarity of our environment, the availability of resources, or cultural factors that influence what is exciting about being off campus. 

We are finishing our second week of classes since break, and since we’ve been back, we’ve had our second winter storm warning. It was for seven inches of snow; recently, it was up to nine inches. Thanks to the maintenance of SLU employees, I keep forgetting I don’t even need my snow boots if the pathways are going to stay this clear. Is it even a risk to wear boots at this point so I can savor the fit? Keep in mind that for any animal looking at footprints leading towards the tree, they may not just be deer footprints. 

Students have either gone back home to the city, a completely different environment than here, or a rural area similar to our campus environment, international students have having been hosted again or for the first time in North Carolina, New York, Texas, New Hampshire and more. City students return to a state of freedom to explore the lights, good food and family, while others are confined to the reminder that they should have stayed away in the first place, especially when trying to do things on a budget. The city is not cheap. 

In comparison to students back home from areas like Florida and Texas, who can enjoy the warmth of the sun, as well as go on a complete getaway vacation to the Dominican Republic. 

It seems SLU has had too much of our time, and this break, so have our families and friends. 

Aside from going back home, a few students went on the SLU Connect D.C. trip, spending four to five days in Washington with recent alumni and professionals with networking opportunities as SLU students prepare for possible careers in business, advocacy and government. 

A current senior, Titilayo Aluko, shared how, despite being on break, “many SLU alumni are willing to connect with students, and I really appreciated the time they took to share their stories and how they reached their current roles” she said. Programs like this show how strong and supportive the SLU community is both in Washington and beyond, no matter our graduation year or career path. The alumni were truly inspiring, and I’m grateful to Beth and Shannon from the Center for Career Excellence for making this experience possible. I’m excited to stay connected with the alumni I met during my visit.”

This winter break showed how differently the off-campus experience is perceived depending on students’ backgrounds. While some returned from their holidays excited, having either travelled or spent time with loved ones, others returned early, missing the structure that the campus provides. The experience of most students is not simply rest, but of transitioning from places that feel normal to those that feel temporary. As the new semester begins, the differences seem to wash away, such that the entire student body is part of the same cold walks to classes, jam-packed schedules and discussions of what the next semester will bring. Stay positive, y’all.