Students relax and travel on Fall Break

by Laiba Arif ’28, Features Contributor

As Fall Break rolled around at Hamilton College, students quickly embraced the opportunity to unwind, explore new places and catch up on work — or simply stay on campus and enjoy the peace and quiet. From volunteer trips to hikes, Hamiltonians spent their break in a variety of ways.

For Iman Alhassan ’28, Fall Break was a combination of outdoor exploration and family time. She took part in both on-campus and off-campus activities, attending a Muslim Student Association (MSA) event at Colgate University and participating in a hike organized by the Hamilton Outing Club. “They invited Hamilton students to participate, so the MSA and International Cultural Assoeciation (ICA) arranged two Jitneys to take whoever was interested to spend their evening at Colgate.” In addition, Alhassan took advantage of the chance to enjoy nature, participating in a hike up Bald Mountain with the Hamilton Outing Club. “I enjoyed the trip because I like hiking. I also got to get off campus for a while, and the view was beautiful.” While many students took the opportunity to relax, Iman also spent part of her break catching up on studies and spending time with her family. “My parents came up to visit,” she shared. “After our picnic, we spent the afternoon together exploring the campus and the community. Apart from those three events, I spent a lot of time studying and catching up on my work.”

Jaine Buck ’28 took the chance to leave campus and contribute to the communities in upstate New York. She participated in an Alternative Break (AXB) trip, volunteering in Syracuse. “We volunteered at the church we were staying at. We painted stairs, did yard work and cleaned up the entrance of the sanctuary,” Buck recounted. The trip provided her with a break from academics and a chance to explore Syracuse. Buck continued, “It was refreshing being able to get off campus and explore Syracuse a bit. I enjoyed our trips to Salt City Market and Destiny Mall, where we went to Apex and played arcade games.” Although Buck didn’t participate in any Hamilton Outing Club trips, her experience was rewarding. “The volunteering experience was really fulfilling, and I’m glad I could spend my fall break helping out in the community.”

Another AXB participant, Yaretzy Castillo ’28, found her experience both exciting and meaningful. Staying on campus for her first AXB trip, Yaretzy spent time volunteering at a Methodist church in Syracuse. “It was extremely exciting to attend, and while the days went by fast, it was worth the while,” she shared. “Being allowed to prepare a church to welcome the underserved is, in my opinion, a blessing to do with my free time.” Though the trip involved hard work, Yaretzy also had time to relax and enjoy one of her favorite activities — watching baseball. “I had a day to relax and I watched the Dodgers vs. Mets game,” she said with enthusiasm. “The series was nerve-wracking, but my favorite team is advancing, which I’m excited to watch. Go Blue!”

For some students, fall break was a time to travel far. Chloë Richards-Boeff ’28 took the opportunity to explore Canada, traveling to Banff National Park with her family and boyfriend. “I spent my days hiking Lake Louise and the ice fields in five inches of snow, and my nights dining on local Canadian comfort foods,” she recalled. While Richards-Boeff spent her break exploring the natural beauty of Canada, she also appreciated the opportunity to relax and unwind after the busy first weeks of the semester: “It was definitely more of an exploration trip, but it was nice to get away and experience something new.”

Whether traveling far, volunteering locally, or staying close to campus, Hamilton students took advantage of fall break in their own unique ways. For those who stayed on campus, like Alhassan, the Hamilton Outing Club provided plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, while others like Buck and Castillo embraced the chance to give back to the community. Meanwhile, adventurers like Richards-Boeff sought new experiences beyond the borders of New York State.

As Hamiltonians returned to campus after their Fall Break adventures, they brought back memories of exploration, relaxation and community service — ready to tackle the remainder of the semester.