Spring break now spans the globe. From Mexico to Malaysia and beyond, American university students can be found blowing off steam on the beaches of any country with a drinking age of 18 or lower. Some places welcome the young tourists as an economic boost, while others find their antics highly irritating.

Perhaps this is because spring break is entirely a cultural phenomenon of the United States. It began, according to the New York Times, with the 1934-1935 Colgate University swim team, which went to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to practice in the winter. The trend caught on and soon Fort “Liquordale” was the home of collegiate mayhem.






In other countries, students tend to spend time with their families for school breaks. Wild celebrations like Carnival in Brazil replace the traveling debauchery of American co-eds.

At Carnival, young, beautiful brasileiros (Brazilians) don colorful, outrageous costumes and take to the streets with blaring samba music. The festival lasts 46 days and accounts for 80% of beer consumption in the country. School is out for the entirety of the celebration.

During February or March, a similarly vibrant holiday ensues in India. Holi – the festival of color – revolves around bonfires and country-wide water fights combined with tons of pigmented powder. Alcohol and cannabis fuel the partygoers. Anyone who wishes to participate should be prepared to look like a rainbow explosion.






Next door in China, the best bet for a beautiful celebration is the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. Students get four to six weeks off to ring in the coming year. More or less all of them go home during this time, much like Christmas in the United States. Festivities include lanterns, firecrackers, cleaning, and family meals.

A lack of warm vacation spots in Russia leads young and old alike to the highly contested island of Crimea. It once belonged to Russia but is now technically controlled by Ukraine. Who it really belongs to depends on who you ask, but the beaches are packed to the brim with both nationalities.

Though the spring break tradition may appear to simply be mischief abroad, the cultural experience of a new place can be an opportunity for enrichment and personal growth. Doubtlessly, curious American students can be found wandering any of the exotic festivals mentioned above. Though the party started in Florida, it continues to rage each March like the shot of liquor heard ‘round the world.