As the holiday season approaches I’m grappling with the decision of whether to fly home or stay on campus—a tough call many will have to also make..
Staying on campus could save money, but it also means missing out on the familiar comforts of home. For myself personally, I’ve discussed this with my roommate and we’ve both shared our thoughts and concerns about the decision.
This decision boils down to two questions many have asked me: “For Thanksgiving break, are you going back home?” or “During Christmas, do you plan on going back home?” Without putting this in a deep process, I would simply reply, “I don’t have plans to go back home. It’s a different continent, so adjusting to the time zone and the price itself is too expensive.”
I realized that the flights were a major reason I wouldn’t travel back, but I didn’t fully understand how much they would cost, so I researched. The cheapest round-trip flight to Chile was $684, but the average cost was around $820-$940. I calculated this amount compared with a product, for example, a ticket to Disneyland, which for adults ranges between $104-180.
If I didn’t buy a ticket back home, I’d be able to buy at least four tickets to Disneyland. Also, if I were to buy the average ticket price for my trip back to Chile, with the money, I’d be able to spend it to buy the cheapest round ticket to Tokyo during Thanksgiving week with a proximate 32-hour flight with two stops.
Now, let’s look at Christmas. If I were to travel back to Chile during Winter break, the price of the cheapest round-trip ticket is around $1613. Now let’s compare the cost with Disneyland’s tickets. The tier 4 tickets amounted to $169 for an adult for a day. If I were to add more money to the budget with my ticket back home, I could buy 10 Disneyland tickets during the Winter season.
Flying within the state or being able to drive home because I live in California gives me a different perspective. But studying as an international student creates a unique atmosphere.
Quinn Pascua, a sophomore majoring in allied health, is from Hawaii and shared his thoughts about flying back home.
“Flying home for Christmas break is worth it. It’s not just about the cost and the practicality, but the emotional value it holds. It’s a chance to see friends, neighbors and family again, to eat food from home, and to engage in activities that I miss while at college. It’s a great way to relax and destress after a semester of constant work.
Furthermore, Pascua shared why flying back home holds a deep definition for him.
“However, I am at a point in my life where I realize that people who have been a part of my journey since I was born may not always be able to be there for me.” In general, being away from home and the constant common interactions of the past makes you realize that things don’t stay the same for as long as you think they might. That being said, going home allows me to recharge and reconnect with those people that matter most in my life. It also provides a valuable opportunity for self-reflection to ponder the changes and growth over the years.”
After listening to Pasuca, I also agreed that traveling is meant for rest. Still, ultimately, it’s a space for reconnecting with loved ones and creating unforgettable memories and bonds within the family.
Whether you’re returning home during the holiday season or an international student like me, it’s not worth the money and time to spend the cost to go back home. Rather, I would save money for my trip back home during the summer break so that I could spend more time with my family. I hope this article will encourage you to create a community where you consider this group like a family and spend the break with a warm community!