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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Winona chapter.

Hey Winona State collegiettes, spring break 2015 is right around the corner! After classes on Friday, March 7th, Winona State students have freedom until classes start again on March 16th. Perhaps for some of you, that means the big trip you booked five months ago is so close you can almost taste it, for others maybe a nice quiet week at home with the family, or maybe you’re deciding to stay in Winona. There is no wrong way to spend your spring break.

Every year you hear about those big extravagant getaways that always spark amazing ideas, but seem to never happen. What if you could have these wonderful destinations but at half the price? Here are the top 5 great and highly visited spring break vacation destinations that can stretch that dollar a little further as well!

 

1. Daytona BeachAs it continually attempts to shed it’s well-known party beach image, Daytona still attracts many students every single year. Daytona offers opportunities in cheap hotel rooms, various inexpensive restaurants, and package deals for students during the springtime.

2. South Padre IslandLighting up the nightlife is something South Padre is known for. With it’s affordable lodging and some cheap beach front properties, South Padre is a family friendly destination that will always leave you wanting more.

3. Santo DomingoHome to the Malecon, a place that lures in night owls with it’s late night meringue dances, Santo Domingo is a caribbean treat that with numerous attractions that leave your wallet in tact.

4. Puerto RicoNot your typical warm vacation spot on spring break, but definitely one to consider. Puerto Rico has a booming nightlife, fun-filled beaches of countless entertainment, and affordable accommodations, plus, flights are not hard to find.

5. CancunA beautiful Mexican city that should be at the top of your list. Cancun never fails to impress with a growing party scene and many long stretch beaches for lounging all day long. Sometimes spendy room-wise, but provides a lot of all-inclusive packages to make it all worth it.

 

Not feeling like following the regular spring break routine with packed bars and sunburnt kids? Then take that week of freedom to do something positive with programs like Break a Difference: Alternative Spring Break! Not only are they a great resume booster but it’s a week long getaway that you can feel good about. The Break A Difference team coordinates Alternative Spring Break programs partnered with United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other local nonprofits, in various cities across the U.S.. These projects engage with issues such as, hunger, housing, poverty, illness, and education. It’s an immersive week of service programs for students to serve communities by volunteering during spring breaks. Everything from meals and local transportation, to service projects and housing, all coordinated into the program fee. And when you’re not helping out excursions to nearby attractions (depending on the city) are included! It’s a cost effective and meaningful use of money. Find a full list of offered destinations, prices, and more information at http://www.breakadifference.org.

If you still want to get away but don’t have any plans or a group, consider traveling with the school to boost your resumé. There are a couple of trips available, although booking them earlier rather than later is key to stealing a spot on one of these trips.  Winona has made trips all over the world, including New Zealand and Ecuador.

Last year, Elementary Education major, Cara Flom traveled to Jamaica through WSU, and completed mission work with a boys’ home.  During this trip, this group of students saw many tough situations, but left with an accomplished feeling like no other. “Some of the things we had to deal with were hard,” she said, “but I loved every minute of it.”

If you decide to stay in Winona over spring break, you may think of it more as a second winter break. Perhaps if you’re feeling adventurous, you could go hike Garvin Heights and get an awesome view of the Mississippi River. Take a few days to catch up on your shows on Netflix, because we’re so busy with school work that we haven’t had the time to watch them. Did you know that we have an art museum in Winona? The best thing about the Minnesota Marine Art Museum is that on Tuesdays students get a discounted entry price. Winona is full of historical sights, you’d be amazed! Look around downtown Winona and see some cool historical landmarks. If you are a student at Winona State and have never been to Lake Lodge, now’s the time! Staying in Winona doesn’t have to be boring, you can turn it into an event filled Winona State Spring Break 2015.

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Devin, who got her name from a Billy Idol music video (Cradle of Love - no joke), was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She studies Mass Communication with an emphasis in Advertising, and this helps fuel her love for creativity and passion for writing.  She loves to read smart books with long words, partake in deviant behaviors, and make people question what they believe. While sometimes outgoing and other times introverted, she finds pleasure practicing yoga and can never turn down a dare.  With a heavy dose of sarcasm and a dash of intellect, she'll be sure to entertain.
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Originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Nikole Banta is currently a junior at Winona State University. She studies Mass Communication with an emphasis on Advertising and is minoring in Studio Art. This year, Nikole took on the responsibility of becoming a Communication Specialist for Winona State's Advertising Federation club. She is a creative individual and enjoys expressing herself through a wide variety of arts and music. You can find Nikole performing slam poetry at different venues and coffee shops where you can tell she has a strong passion for words. She is currently writing her own book in which she plans to finish in her mid 20s. Nikole loves to bring smiles and laughter into the world and is someone you can always go to for some great advice. She believes in being there for others and building strong relationships. Staying true to herself, Nikole is definitely one of a kind and has always marched to the beat of her own drum. She loves to try new things and lives for adventure. Standing at five-feet-tall, although she is small, Nikole has big dreams of becoming an Art Director for an advertising agency where she can wear high heels in a big city. 
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Meet our Campus Correspondent Mariah Mrotek! Originally from Racine, Mariah is a Mass Communication Advertising major with a Professional Writing Minor. You can usually catch Mariah loving up the cats at the local Winona Area Humane Society or getting her last minute shopping fix at Target. She is an avid writer and believer in the power of intuition. As an advocate for the Minnesota Epilepsy Foundation, she strives for change. She really enjoys the fall season and the amazing honeycrisp apples it brings. Her ideal place to vacation at is a cabin up north by the lake. Mariah hopes to continue to see and enjoy the world’s beauty after graduation as she pursues a career in Social Media Content Management or Project Management.
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Miranda is currently a Winona State University senior studying mass communication with an emphasis in advertising and is also pursing a graphic design degree. In addition to being Winona State’s Campus Correspondent, she is also the president of WSU’s Advertising Federation club. When she’s not busy binge watching One Tree Hill for the umpteenth time, you can find her working on her longboards, which she creates from scratch. She is a Diet Coke addict and indie music enthusiast filled with passion and imagination. She plans to get out of chilly Minnesota to find internship opportunities after graduation.