By Mariachiara Catanzariti
After countless exams, late-night assignments and group projects, the 2025–2026 academic year is finally coming to an end. With summer just a few days away and the weather growing warmer, students are beginning to plan out their summer days: returning home to family, catching up with friends, and, most importantly, taking a long-awaited break after months of academic pressure. With the break finally within reach, The Herring spoke with students about their exciting summer plans.
First-year Social Science major Ana Campian is planning to make the most of the nine-week break. In the first week of July, she will be heading to the Greek islands of Skiathos and Skopelos. Smiling excitedly, she says, “These are the islands where Mamma Mia! was filmed!” After months of living in a busy European capital, Campian explains that she is looking forward to the calm and anonymity of a smaller place. “There is a certain peace in being somewhere where no one knows you.”
For Campian, this sense of peace is closely connected to nature. “I have not swum in the sea in a long time, so I am excited to do that,” she explains. While her past summer holidays have often been filled with sightseeing and strict schedules, this year she hopes to slow down: “I have always travelled for sightseeing, which involves keeping a tight schedule. This year, I want to use my vacations as resting periods.” When asked about her expectations for this summer period, her answer is simple: “All I want is a bit of peace and quiet.”
Still, her summer will not be entirely quiet. Back in Romania, her home country, Campian is looking forward to meeting new people by attending a music festival and volunteering at a marathon. Yet among these new experiences, she is especially looking forward to returning to the Romanian countryside, where she will spend time with her grandparents and enjoy fresh fruit, slower days, and the comfort and tradition of home.
For first-year Social Science major Nola Lakits, the summer break is a chance to explore new destinations while also making time for home and friends. Their summer will begin with a week-long stay in Albania, where they hope to spend time surrounded by nature, from lounging on the beach to hiking in the mountains. They also hope to visit some of the country’s UNESCO sites, finding a balance between relaxation and sightseeing.
Alongside travelling, Lakits will also have to make time for AUC’s internal move. Although moving can be stressful, they are also looking forward to making their new room feel more personal.“I have a lot of plans for what I want for my new room,” they explain, mentioning paint, tiles, and decoration. For Lakits, the move will be about carrying heavy furniture across the dorms, but also about reconnecting with friends and helping each other through the process.
After that, Lakits will return to Budapest, Hungary, their hometown. “I am hoping to see some friends who have also moved abroad, who I don’t see very often,” they explain. They are especially excited for lake days in Hungary and time spent with friends. In August, the summer will take another adventurous turn, as Lakits plans to go on a road trip through Scotland with their family. “Eight days are not enough to visit it all, so we have had to cut down on some sites,” they say. Still, they are looking forward to the possibility of seeing Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, and maybe even spotting some puffins along the way!
On a different note, for first-year Science major Michael Haug, summer will be all about relaxing, having fun, and enjoying the freedom of having no strict plans. Like many, he is especially excited to reconnect with old high school friends back home in Thailand. For him, the simplicity of vacation time means playing basketball, watching movies, going to the arcade, and spending time with the people he has missed.
While much of his summer will be spent in the quiet, natural surroundings of his hometown, Haug also hopes to spend some time in Bangkok, where he can enjoy the energy of a busier environment. Still, one of the things he is most looking forward to is Thai street food, an integral part of his summer plans. “I will be eating out for every meal, which you can’t really do here,” he says.
Although his plans are not fully set, Haug’s wish to relax does not mean he is closed off to adventure. He may visit his grandparents in Germany and, if time allows, take a trip with his brother through countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, and China. However, what excites him most is the freedom to move at his own pace. For Haug, the lack of a fixed schedule is exactly what makes the summer appealing: “I have no plans, which is a good thing.”
The Herring 