By Layla Abukhdeir, Staff Writer
As the school year comes to a close, many students are eagerly anticipating summer vacations filled with travel, family reunions, and new experiences. Whether they are heading overseas, exploring new destinations, or staying closer to home, students are looking forward to making the most of their break before returning to school in the fall.
For some students, summer means continuing family traditions.
“I’m going to India for a month. It’s an annual trip that my family does, and we’ve been doing it basically since I was born,” says sophomore Diya Subramanian.
Beyond the excitement of traveling, Subramanian is especially looking forward to reconnecting with loved ones and doing new activities that add another layer of excitement to the annual tradition.
“I’m very excited to go and see my family because I only see them once a year during this time,” she says. “I can’t wait to eat lots of food and go watch movies, because that’s something my family does on vacation. These past few years, we’ve been taking trips around India for sightseeing, so I’m excited to see if we’re going anywhere fun this year.”
However, summer vacation will not be entirely stress-free. “A less exciting part is that I’m taking the September SAT, so I have to study on vacation,” Subramanian adds.
Other students have even more ambitious travel plans. This summer, Mahin Naseem will be visiting several countries, giving her the opportunity to experience several different parts of the world throughout her travels.
“At the end of June I am going to Texas for a week for FBLA nationals and then at the end of July I am going to London, Paris, and Cheminee for two weeks for family vacation! I am the most excited to go to Paris again because the shopping there is unlike anything here and I just love the city. I also am really excited to go hiking in the French Alps because of the gorgeous views and I just love hiking.” Naseem says.
For Eshal Elias, this summer will be a change from the usual routine.
“This time of year I would be going to Ethiopia with my family, visiting extended family in the city. But this year, I’m probably not even going to leave Howard County,” says Elias.
The variety of summer plans among students reflects the many ways people choose to spend their time away from school. While some are traveling across continents and others are continuing cherished traditions, many students share a common goal: enjoying a well-deserved break before the next school year begins.