One of the most awaited and infamous times of the year is upon us once again: Spring Break. This semester has seen its share of breaks already, though, with a multitude of snow days, which have left many of us still not in the swing of things. And despite my weekends beginning on Thursday and the numerous snow days we’ve had this year, I still find myself needing this Spring Break more than years past. At the same time, though, I am facing the harsh realization that this is my last Spring Break.With luck, this time next year I will be working away, scrambling to meet deadlines at a magazine while campus breaks for a week of beaching, partying and doing absolutely nothing productive. While this will be a saddening time as I reminisce on a more carefree time in my life, only one thing could make this worse—not having a job on Spring Break.For the seniors who may be counting down the days until graduation with a bit of trepidation, I think I speak for most of us when I say sitting at home unemployed, a year post graduation, is a sheer terror. Because of this, I will be spending my last Spring Break as a student at UA applying and interviewing for jobs across the country instead of basking in the sun of some resort sipping daiquiris.  

But in actuality, I spent my previous Spring Break building my portfolio and working as well. As part of “Alpine Living,” UA’s travel magazine published every two years, I spent two weeks in spring 2013 traveling Spain and Portugal to create content for the fifth issue. While this may sound like a leisurely and exotic experience, it was much more than that. Quite frankly, we worked day and night and forfeited personal interests to produce the magazine. I did not see everything that I had hoped, nor did I eat five-star meals every night. Instead, I worked and worked and worked. Those were the most challenging weeks of my life. But they were worth it.

After meeting a monk named Óscar who carries a flip-phone in his habit, drinking wine and feasting on a local delicacy known as suckling pig at Ernest Hemingway’s favorite restaurant, and participating in Holy Week (weeklong celebrations before Easter), I realized this was more than a trip to Spain and more even than a magazine job. I experienced things I may never see again in my life, met people who changed my perspective in many ways, and for the first time was able to communicate in Spanish with native speakers to tell my sources' stories. 

I hope that regardless of your destination this Spring Break, you cherish the experiences you have. In this issue, our writers share their advice on planning last minute trips, getting your playlist ready, and staying away from Spring Break disasters. This issue also includes our second fashion spread dedicated completely to Spring Break looks. Be sure to check out our picks from Private Gallery, Shades, The Pants Store and The Locker Room to enhance your wardrobe this March.
Happy Spring Breaking!