As the fall semester wraps up, students are preparing for a well-deserved winter break. While some plan to relax and recharge, others have exciting plans that range from work to travel and family gatherings.

Jasmine Luna, a current student at COS, shared her plans for the break. “This year, I plan to just work during the break and hopefully see my friends and family in between so that we can go to the snow or do fun holiday things,” she said. Luna’s family has a tradition of traveling to Michoacán, Mexico, during Christmas break. “Usually for Christmas break, my family and I go to visit family in Michoacán and we stay for the last two weeks in December so that we can experience las posadas,” she explained. Las posadas are a significant part of Mexican Christmas traditions.

“Las posadas are a traditional part of our Catholic religion,” Luna said. “In Mexico, it’s the best time to go because people travel from all over just to walk the streets the night of the posada and enjoy warm champurrado and ponche and sing songs to the virgen as we walk down the roads with our families.” The celebrations are vibrant and communal. “Each year in Michoacán, families pitch in to decorate a different street with colorful streamers, piñatas, balloons, and Mexican cordeles,” Jasmine added. “Also, after posadas, sometimes there’s a banda that plays in the plaza, and I love dancing. So anytime there’s banda involved, trust that I’ll be dancing all night.”

Luna’s break will also include a trip to Zacatecas in January. “This year in January, I will be going to the fiestas for La Virgen in Zacatecas, so I’m excited to get to see where my dad’s side of the family is from!” she said.

Luna’s plans highlight the diverse ways students spend their winter break, balancing work, family, and cultural traditions. Whether they enjoy the snow, participate in cultural celebrations, or travel to visit family, each student’s break is uniquely their own!