The expense of a vacation is a big factor for students deciding to stay home, but they say they are finding other ways to fill up their time while being productive.
Courtney Huether, a sophomore political science major, found a job in her hometown of Rochester during spring break week.
"I am working at Abercrombie," Huether said. "They are letting me work for the week that I am home."
Other students, like Joseph O'Connell, a sophomore media study major, will be utilizing spring break to hunt for jobs.
Besides catching up on some much needed sleep, O'Connell is also hoping to catch up on his favorite hobbies he doesn't have time for during the semester: video games and outdoor pursuits.
Stephen Petko, a senior business major, is looking forward to spending time with his family during spring break. Although he lives at home, he never has time to spend with his sisters.
The same goes for Alex Pierre, a sophomore social science major, who is purposely not going away on vacation to spend time with his friends.
"I don't get to go home a lot, or ever spend a lot of time with family," Pierre said. "Whatever friends that will be home for spring break, I will try to catch up with them too."
For those students that are unable to go home for spring break, such as many international students, there are plenty of other ways they can make the most of break.
On March 9, the first Friday of spring break, international Student and Scholar Services will be taking a group of international students to the Sabres game against Minnesota.
Before the game, Eric Comins, an international student advisor and coordinator of the international spring break activities, will be offering a "Hockey 101" class so that international students can learn the basics of hockey.
ISSS is also offering a "Tour of Buffalo" on Wednesday March 14 at 9 a.m. Students will take a bus to downtown Buffalo where they can get an exclusive tour of sights like Dunn Tire Park, City Hall, the Botanical Gardens, and Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
In the past, the "Tour of Buffalo" has stopped at the Anchor Bar and the Broadway Market on Chippewa, which was especially fun for the students during the Easter season.
"We do this to give (the international students) something to do during spring break, as well as getting them more familiar with the city they are studying in," Cumins said.
Many international students will spend four years at UB without ever seeing the city, Cumins said. The tour during spring break shows international students that the city is easily accessible, so they are more likely to venture there again. Students can sign up for these activities at 210 Talbert.
"There is plenty to do during your spring break, whether you are vacationing or not," said Amy Wilson, associate director of the Leadership Development Center. "The time is all yours - have fun."
