Michelle Hennessy – News Writer
As classes come to an end this week and the four month holiday begins for those who aren’t graduating, the Southern News is taking a look at the different plans students have for the break.
For junior Catherine Cota, a month of her break will be spent in Salamanca, Spain, where she’ll be working towards her Spanish minor studying abroad.
“I’ll be getting six credits in Spanish so it will allow me to finish my minor,” said Cota. “We will also be travelling and sightseeing when we don’t have classes.”
Cota, who has also volunteered abroad in Guatemala, said this will be her first time in Europe, and she’s excited for spending time in a new country.
“I am looking forward to finally experiencing Europe and being immersed in a new culture,” said Cota. “I think it’ll be an experience of the lifetime.”
According to the Association of International Educators, only one percent of all U.S. students choose to study abroad, Cota said she’s looking forward to the challenge of studying in a different country.
“I’m very excited, but I’m also a little nervous,” said Cota. “I’m nervous about trying a new language.”
Cota, who majors in social work, said she also thinks studying abroad will help with her career.
“As a social work major I have to be able to relate to people from all different cultures so this will help me relate to people, and increase my cultural competency and also help me better serve Spanish-speaking clients.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics found the summer months, July in particular, are the peak in employment for young people. Students like Mitch Honan will be spending summer working to help with college costs in the fall.
“I’ll be working one or two jobs this summer,” said Honan. “I’ll be doing this because I’ll need enough money to get through next year’s expenses.”
But as well as working, Honan said he will also be doing volunteer work to help the homeless over the summer.
“[My job] will have flexible hours, so I will find time to have fun too,” said Honan. “I’m looking forward to it because I’ll be able to do some work and make money, while doing some volunteer work and having fun on the side.”
Honan has been volunteering Thursday evenings at soup kitchens and is going to continue that work during his break.
“I have enjoyed working in New Haven soup kitchens, so I’m planning to continue this work over the summer in soup kitchens close to home,” said Honan. “I think this will be a very fulfilling way to spend the summer, and it should be fun too.”
Though Honan, a junior in business economics, said he would rather volunteer somewhere that involved his major, he’s looking forward to his first summer of volunteer work.
“I would rather be volunteering in a way that is more directly related to my major and possible career, but I’m happy to take the opportunities available to me now,” said Honan.
Liberal studies sophomore Carol Lara has similar plans, working part-time while also hoping to volunteer at a summer camp for youths.
“I am hoping to earn enough money to save for the upcoming fall semester, and some experience working with children,” said Lara.
Lara said she would rather spend her break on holiday, though she said she thinks this will help fund her studies and prepare for her career.
“I would rather be vacationing at a Caribbean Island, but realistically I need to start preparing for my future,” said Lara.
Earning money while also spending time doing voluntary work is possible, said Lara, with the summer months being a great time to do something there is less time to do the rest of the year.
“It is possible,” said Lara. “I believe in order for something to be possible you need to dedicate time and set priorities.”
