Through an informal survey, the INI staff gathered some feedback from students about their plans for spring break. A few even shared some stories from spring breaks of the past.

This year, Pittsburgh proves to be a comfortable locale among students, with 75 percent of those surveyed choosing to stay in town for at least part of the time. Overall, the majority of students look forward to having some time to relax with friends.

Out of 44 current INI students, here is what was shared.

Are you staying in Pittsburgh for spring break?

    48% Yes, the whole time

    27% Only for part of the time.

    25% No, I am outta here.

If you are traveling, where are you going?

    100% U.S.

    0% International

    Destinations given: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, and Washington, D.C.

If you could go anywhere in the world for spring break, where would it be?

Destinations wished for: Home, California, "half a week skiing in Switzerland and then a tour of northern Italy," Cancun, Colombia, Los Angeles, United Kingdom, Europe, Hawaii, Cote d'Azur, Carribean, Chile, Miami, "somewhere far into the Himalayas to talk to God in some solitude," India, Australia, New Zealand, South Padre Island, Paris, Austria, Florida, Egypt, Dubai, Hyderabad, Bali, "no where" and Lilliput.

What do you look forward to doing the most?

    11% Visit family

    9% Research/interview for jobs

    21% Catch up on work

    21% Catch up on sleep

    34% Relax with friends

    4% Other

    Activities specified: "Eat some great food!!" and "Add extra features to my computer application projects."

What exactly are you taking a break from?

    18% Teachers

    30% Books

    11% Dirty looks

    41% Other

    Some favorite responses: All of the above. Sleepless nights. Cold weather. Who said I'm taking a break?

Do you have an especially memorable spring break? Where were you, and what were you doing?

A few specific responses:

    Concerts and gigs, beach trips, road trips.

    The best spring break was in 2004, when my friend and I bought a ticket to Munich two weeks before, and he had no passport. It was a close call, but his passport arrived two days before we left, and we had a blast exploring Bavaria and Austria.

    Turks and Caicos with my sisters, doing nothing but lying on the beach all day, snorkeling, tanning, relaxing.

    I believe I was asleep.

    All of them were really fun when I visited my grandparents and cousins, all back home.

    Grand Canyon and Las Vegas in the same spring break.

    None, as yet. This is my first one :)

    Spring Break 2003: Daytona Beach, Florida. My first true culture shock. Water sports, beaches, theme parks and clubbing.

    India, fun.

    The last one was boring, used to catch up on work that was pending. This time I made sure I have time for myself :-)