Travelers embark on unconventional trips

As the sun rises over a peaceful sandy beach in Puerto Rico, one sophomore Augustana student opens his eyes to see the ocean. 

Coming here over J-term was a refreshing interruption from the many mornings Carter Schmitz had spent in his gloomy Granskou dorm room, its seemingly endless LED lights and tapestries no match for the soft breeze and warm sun on his face. 

The waves crash into the shore, holding a soft rhythm much gentler than any alarm clock. Schmitz enjoyed his short getaway to such an extent that he didn’t mind minor inconveniences — like not having a bed to sleep in.

Visiting Puerto Rico with nothing but a backpack is more spontaneous than the average college student may want to be. But without motivation to create a plan, Schmitz settled for just the right amount of confidence. 

Sleeping on the beach was an exhilarating experience for Schmitz and will continue to be a great memory, he said, so long as his mom never finds out.

Many of Augustana’s students have adventure and travel on the brain; unfortunately, young adults’ desire to explore is often deeper than their pockets. A few of those students and solo travelers have stayed in less than conventional situations.

Schmitz went to Puerto Rico after finding cheap round-trip tickets. Although there was nothing especially important about going to this location, Schmitz said he has always been drawn to adventure. He loves traveling solo because he finds that meeting the expectations of other travelers can be stressful. 

Schmitz also traveled to see loved ones in the past year when he went to California to visit a friend. This friend was thrilled to see him and was almost excited enough to give him a place to stay — emphasis on the word “almost.”

Without complaint, Carter slept in the psychology lounge at Pomona College.

The soft couch inside locked doors welcomed Schmitz with open arms. He made a point to avoid suspicion and look as though he was studying. His laptop was left open to suggest that sleep had found Schmitz before his assignment was finished and also to suggest he was a Pomona student. The screen blankly stood guard over the sleepy traveler.

“People stumbled across me, I guess,” Schmitz said. “But no one cared.”

Another way to solo travel includes staying in hotels. Kate Kirwan, a now 19-year-old freshman, has traveled several times in the past few years to visit her boyfriend while he played collegiate baseball at Augustana and she was still in high school. 

Kirwan said many hotels won’t let an 18-year-old book and check into a room. She said it is important to call ahead because there may need to be parental involvement or special paperwork.  

Kirwan experienced this at Hilton hotels. After arriving in Sioux Falls, she would approach the front desk with confidence drawn from her independent spirit. 

“I’d basically walk in with a note,” Kirwan said. 

That note from her parents would consist of any information the hotel would need to get her into a room.

A practice that eased the process for Kirwan was always using Hilton hotels and downloading the app onto her phone.

“When you book frequent hotels with one company, typically they’ll give you a discount on a room,” Kirwan said.

Freshman Emily Mason and her friends took to the road on route for more than just a room this spring break. They found themselves in a five-bedroom Airbnb. 

The 11 of them drove for eight and a half hours to Garfield, Arkansas, a town with a population of about 600. But they didn’t go to Garfield for its reputation as a hot and trendy college vacation spot — they simply searched Airbnb's website for affordable places that could accommodate the two packed cars full of college kids. Everyone pitched in to book the trip.

The car ride began with much discussion as the friends chatted about the itinerary of the trip. The drive went smoothly as the friends rested their eyes or enjoyed the view. By the end, they were relieved to have fresh air and leg room.

Looking out from her bedroom window, Mason said she noticed the striking difference in the wilderness from her dorm room view of the Augustana green. The peace was priceless. The birds sang as the rays of sun danced through the grass. She had made it to her well-deserved break.

“In the end I didn’t end up spending as much as I thought I would,” Mason said. “The more people you bring, the more people are splitting costs. It’s probably the best way to go.”

Whether students find themselves staying in an Airbnb, hotel, dorm lounge or even on a beach towel, some of the best adventures are found outside of the typical traveling practices.