As an international student, spring break has always felt like one of those things you hear about in movies—but this year, I actually got to live it. And let me just say… it was magical!
This was my first real spring break trip ever (and I’m graduating soon, this May, so it felt extra special). I spent the week in Puerto Rico with one of my close friends, and from the moment we left, it was a wild ride—literally.
The trip started with chaos!
I was supposed to take a train from Boston to NYC to catch our midnight flight out of JFK, but thanks to a Celtics game, my bus was delayed over two hours. Yup, missed the train. Great start, right? Luckily, Peter Pan bus service came to the rescue, and I still made it to the airport just in time.
After the 5 a.m. flight, we landed early morning in Puerto Rico, and the second I stepped out and felt that 80°F weather, I felt like I was being hugged by the sun. Coming from freezing and windy Boston, it was such a blessing. I instantly felt the glow on my face and body. The sun—wow! The last time I ever felt that kind of weather was in my home country, Nepal. Brought back memories.
After arriving, we waited for the rental shuttle and picked up a rental car—finally, after the long two-hour line. The queue felt never-ending! Nevertheless, the wait was worth it. We took a short ride and explored beautiful San Juan. Coming from a landlocked country and having spent most of my time here in the USA in cities, I’ve had limited access to beaches. Driving around PR gave me a hint of what I’d been missing—the beaches! Absolutely stunning. I couldn’t stop saying “wow” every five seconds. I mean, you can imagine—it’s an island, and everywhere you go, there’s a stunning beach.
The next day, we drove out to Arecibo, found some hidden beach spots, and jumped right in. The water, the tropical vibes, the palm trees—I was living my best island life. Our stop on Day 3 was Ponce. We tried local Puerto Rican food (seafood like I’d never had before) and soaked in views that looked like they were straight out of a postcard. As someone from a landlocked place, this was a whole new world.
On Day 4, we stayed at this stunning Airbnb in Fajardo with a big pool. The place was so peaceful and gave us a break from all the driving. The best part? Day 5: Culebra—My Favorite Day Ever!
We took a ferry from Ceiba to Culebra, a tiny island that’s hard to get tickets for unless you book months in advance. But shoutout to this amazing woman I met who helped us get last-minute spots (a lifesaver).
On the ferry, I met another super fun woman named Keira who lives in Culebra. She gave us all the inside tips and even drove us to Flamenco Beach—and wow. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The water was crystal clear and sky blue, like stepping into a dream. We also visited Tamarindo Beach and went snorkeling for the first time ever! I wish I knew how to swim better, but even just floating around was unreal. I had so much fun, great food, and the best time of my life.
On the final day, we wrapped up our trip exploring Old San Juan, walking through its colorful streets, cute cafes, and vibrant lanes. Every corner felt like a photo backdrop. I loved it. This trip was more than just beaches and palm trees—it was about stepping out of my comfort zone, meeting kind strangers, learning about Puerto Rican culture, and experiencing something unforgettable as an international student.
I feel so grateful for this experience. If you’re thinking of going to PR—DO IT. You won’t regret it.