But regardless if their plans are affected, almost all the students just want to take a break from the books and have a little fun.
Cedra Wilson and Melissa McCoy, freshmen at Temple College, are planning a trip to San Antonio. Although their plans did not include going to Mexico, the economy played a role in their planning.
“We planned on going out of state, but changed our plans because of the price of gas and everything,” Ms. Wilson said. She added that they had originally planned a trip to Colorado.
Ms. McCoy agreed, saying funding was short this year.
“We have less to spend on the trip and have to basically take one car instead of flying or anything,” she said.
She said the State Department alert did not affect them on this trip, but served as a dose of reality for future travels.
“We weren’t planning to go to Mexico, but it does put into perspective other trips for future reference,” she said. “You have to think of that when you travel to different countries.”
Alec McCartt, a TC freshman, said he has plans to go to South Padre Island.
He said the economy is not as bad as everybody is saying it is.
“You hear 80 percent of the people say the economy is all jacked up when it’s really not,” he said.
“How many people do you actually know who are unemployed? One out of every four? I don’t think so,” he said. “It’s not even close.”
He said he is not changing his plans on account of the economy.
“The girls aren’t changing their plans, so I’m not going to,” he said.
Kammy Hedrick, a TC freshman, said both the economy and conditions on the Mexico border have affected her plans this year to go to Mustang Island with friends.
“I’ve not heard about the State Department warning but I’ve heard a lot of things about Mexico and I wouldn’t go,” she said. “I heard there’s a lot of violence and a lot of drug dealing going on.”
She added that the economy also might threaten her trip.
“We’re not dead certain that we are going to go for sure,” she said. “It’s still in the planning.”
Over at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Nicole Goldsworthy, a sophomore, generally goes to South Padre Island, but this year she will stay home and do schoolwork.
“I have about four reports to write, so that’s pretty much it,” she said, adding that the economy influenced her decision not to go anywhere this year.
“I live about an hour from here so it costs a lot to get here every day,” she said, adding that the expense of school is increasing.
UMHB senior Melvin Williams is skipping spring break.
“I’m not going anywhere for spring break this year because I’ll be working,” he said. “But if I could get off, I’d be at Padre.”
He works at Walgreen Drug Stores.
James Jenkins is not letting the economy nor travel alerts keep him from enjoying himself.
“My intentions are to go somewhere and have fun on the beach, so I’ll be going to South Padre,” he said. “Even though the economy is bad and terrible things are happening around, school is stressing me out and I need to have some fun.”
According to the U.S. State Department, travel alerts are issued to spread information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens.
Travel warnings describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable.
The alert issued about Mexico says, “Violence in the country has increased recently. It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.”
For specific information visit the state department Web site at http://www.state.gov/.
