England vs France: Football uniting nations in the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks

So I'd thought I'd steer away from the direct travel writing to share my thoughts on the aftermath of the Paris attacks in terms of the recent football match between England and Paris. Having visited France on many occasions, I do love the culture and history of some of the amazing cities in France, including the iconic Paris.

I must admit that I'm not the biggest football fan in the world, but after the tragedies of what took place on Friday night I thought it would be uplifting to watch my home country England take on France in a long awaited friendly football match. I knew that it was going to be one of the few football matches I'd watch knowing that it wasn't just about winning. It proved to be so much more than that. The horrendous terrorist attacks that took place in Paris last week Friday 13th November have brought so much pain and loss to some many families and friends of the victims. Our hearts break for the 129 victims who lost their lives and the 300 people who are currently injured, many of which are fighting for survival. The tragedy left the world speechless, questioning how a group of people could commit such horrific acts on innocent people. Thus it is true what they say, human beings are the deadliest mammals on the planet. Will there ever be world peace? Terrorism leaves even the atheists and agnostics to rely on nothing but hope and prayer. However, the England versus France football brought the two nations together in a globally recognised sport. Even with England winning 2-0, the real victory was solidarity which is what this game definitely brought to our attention.

Following the Paris attacks, the safety of the crowd was extremely important. Fans were advised to go to the stadium early due to increased security measures which was reassuring not only to people attending but to those watching worldwide. When tragedies like the Paris attacks occur, you can't help but worry about the events to come. With France declaring that they are now at war against ISIS, there is a sense fear for the safety of our nations. As I was enjoying the match, I couldn't help but think about the threat of terrorism to Wembley stadium that night, filled with hundreds of people who came out to watch a thrilling game of football. You can't help but think that these terrorists are constantly going to target places or events with the most amount of civilians. This attitude and fear can easily lead you into a state of paranoia especially with Wembley being a place so close to home, I couldn't begin to imagine what it would be like if the Paris attacks were repeated there and the thought alone petrifies me. Yet this is what terrorism aims to do - it imposes fear and causes pain. But we can't let terrorism win. Terrorism is inhumane and must be defeated. I personally refuse to live in fear and paranoia which is why I thought this match was so important. It showed power and unity through sport which gave a sense of hope and restored some faith in humanity. Football is very much a sport associated with rich, arrogant men who cheat on their wives and spend all their money on cars whilst kicking a ball now and again. However, the England versus France game, showed a different side to football in the form of unity. But most importantly, it showed terrorists that these nations are more defiant and powerful than ever.

The match

Despite these recent terrorism attacks in Paris, the French federation wanted to go along with the match last night which was highly commendable considering the unfortunate circumstances. Although a few players had admitted that they were reluctant to play, many of them wanted to go ahead with it mainly for symbolic reasons. Some of the French players had even lost family and friends during the attacks, such as Lassana Diarra whose cousin was unfortunately killed during the attacks. Diarra received a standing ovation when he came on as a substitute and played very well considering the circumstances. 

It was clear that this match was definitely much more than a game of football. With the Wembley arch lit up in French tricolours and the English fans displaying a mural of the French flag in the stadium, it was clear that the game was a symbol of solidarity and strength.  The English fans even joined in with the French singing their national anthem 'La Marseillaise' as the words were displayed on big screens around the stadium, A one minute silence took place as a sign of respect for the 129 people who tragically lost their lives at the hands of ISIS. Floral tributes were brought forward by Prince Harry, president of the FA, and the English and French players united in a circle in the middle of the football pitch holding arms in a symbol of union. It was a beautiful and highly emotional moment which demonstrated the power of nations when brought together.

To my surprise, the match was exciting and engaging from start to finish and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I tend to zone out of football after the first 20 minutes, but I had my eyes glued to the screen from the moment the first whistle blew. Once kick off was under way, the crowds were incredible. The roars of enthusiasm and the singing chants uplifted Wembley and gave the stadium the atmosphere it needed. I won't go into the gritty details of the match mainly because I'm not exactly a football expert. What I can say is that England played fantastically, which was somewhat shocking to me considering they had on of their youngest squads ever to play. It was lovely to see them set off to a good start which followed throughout the whole game. They had plenty of possession of the ball as well as some pretty good shots in the goal area. France's defence wasn't at their best and just 5 minutes before the end of the first half, 19-year-old Tottenham Hotspur player, Dele Alli scored a wonderful goal on his first Wembley start and made his mark with an electrifying shot.  Wayne Rooney, who was on top form for the whole match, soon followed suit in the second half as he volleyed and scored his 41st goal in international football aided by Alli. The teamwork from the England squad was phenomenal and it was lovely to see them play so well. I felt that the France were lacking aggression and passion which is understandable on such an overwhelming and emotional match day.  They did play well and fair, but it was clear England wanted that ninth victory at Wembley.

Despite it being a difficult night for them, France were tremendously grateful for the support demonstrated by the English fans. French manager expressed his gratitude and gave England manager Roy Hodgson a hug at the end of the match. Both agreed that this match was more about solidarity and a chance for a moment of communal grief.

One thing is for sure, this match was definitely not a normal game of football. England came out victorious but it was France that won our hearts,

#PrayForParis

#PrayForTheWorld

#AllLivesMatter

Why Students Should Study Abroad

Although I've always liked travelling from a young age, I never thought I ever want to experience living in a different country. I mean, I love going on holiday but it's always nice knowing that you've got a ticket back home. However, one of my most inspiring and forever memorable travel adventures was having the opportunity to live and study in Miami, Florida. 

While I was at studying at the University of East Anglia, spending a year abroad was not only a compulsory part of my American Studies degree; it was one of the highlights of my university experience as a whole.

In 2012, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend a year abroad studying at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. I have to honestly say it was by far one of the best years of my life and was definitely an experience that I could never ever forget. Not only did I learn a lot of about American college culture, I developed as a person by enhancing my cultural awareness and independence by successfully adapting to a completely new environment.  I grew to know and love Miami, from the infamous south beach to the lively downtown district and not forgetting the beautiful Hispanic culture embedded in the city, it will always have a special place in my heart. To this day I still bore my family and friends about my year abroad, blabbering on about how much I love Miami and all the amazing things I experienced there. I saw Obama, I joined a sorority, I went to watch the Miami Heat play, I met Flo Rida and I even went to the Bahamas and Cancun, just to list a few of my personal experiences. Everyone has a different year abroad experience no matter where you are. However, you cannot just rely on the place alone; it is what you truly make of it. What you put in is what you’ll get out of it. Be open-minded, be safe and most importantly…have fun!

Sebastian the Ibis was our very own mascot

Although studying abroad is about having fun in a new environment, you must remember the main reason why you’re there. You need to study. As boring as it may sound, remember why you’re at university in the first place. Make the most out of studying in a new country. I took advantage of the unique courses offered at the University of Miami including Comics in the USA, Gay and Lesbian USA and the Italian Mafia and Drugs. Through hard work and my previous experience from UEA, I was able to quickly adapt to the US education system quickly and effectively, proven by the fact I successfully passed the year with a 3.84 GPA (equivalent to about a high 2.1/ First).

One of the most important ways to make sure you get the most out of your year abroad is to get involved in as much as you can. Go out and meet people, explore your new home and embrace the new culture. I ensured that I became fully involved in the American College culture. I went through the recruitment process of becoming a part of the Greek system and successfully became a member of one of America’s largest and ever-growing sorority’s, Kappa Kappa Gamma. By joining a sorority, I gained a large network of friends within a sisterhood; I took part in community service and supported our national philanthropy. My sisters encouraged me to strive for academic excellence, achievement and leadership, which I continue to do so to this very day. I also had the opportunity to witness the vigorous political fight for the 2012 election by having the chance to see and listen to Barack Obama and Mitt Romney speak at the university on separate occasions. As the US political system was deeply embedded in my degree, this was highly beneficial to me and I’ve always been a big fan of Obama and it was an honour and privilege to be in his presence. It was definitely a dream that came true.

Obama throwing up the infamous Miami symbol; the []_[]

By getting the most out of your year abroad you learn to become more independent and adaptable. I definitely grew up a lot and felt like I blossomed into a better person as corny as that sounds. It was a little scary at first, but once I was settled there was no stopping me. It was such a unique educational experience which I could never forget even if I wanted to. I lived a new life and had a new home and met so many different people from all over America and the world. I genuinely made friends for life and it's so nice to share memories of our year abroad to one another. 

Me and my sorority sisters on Bid day! 

Because of the independence and new found cultural awareness that you gain from a year abroad, it definitely stands out on your CV/ resume. Employers are very much drawn to those who study abroad because, from experience, it shows that you’re adaptable, daring and willing to challenge yourself which can easily be applied to the workplace. From my own personal experience, in many interviews people have been drawn to the fact I studied abroad and ask why I chose to do it, what I got out it and how my experiences living in a completely new culture can be applied to the world of work.

I became a very big fan of the Miami Heat basketball team 

I think the only downfall of studying abroad is the financial side of it. The University of Miami was one of the more expensive options for our study abroad program seeing as it is a private university where American students on average pay about $60,000 a year.  And we British students have the cheek to complain about the £9,000 a year tuition fees! Luckily for my year abroad, I only paid half a year tuition fees to my home university, UEA, and then paid for the Miami student accommodation, the meal plan, excess fees (athletic centre, gym membership, International student fee etc), my visa and my flights. My student loan didn’t cover this but luckily my daddy was very helpful and contributed to most of it. However, if it wasn’t for my daddy I wouldn’t have been able to afford to study abroad so you definitely need to take the financial costs into consideration. There were a lot of cheaper American universities to attend and most people were able to afford the year abroad with ease. I had my heart set on Miami before I even went to UEA and my daddy knew how much I really wanted to go so was determined to fulfill my dream which he did.

The overall hardest part about studying abroad for me was saying goodbye. It wasn’t just farewell to Miami, it was saying goodbye to the amazing people I met, the friends I made, my sorority sisters, my roommate and just to the experience as a whole. I found it hard to adjust back to ‘normal’ life and I felt like I was boring people to death blabbering on about my time away. Finishing my fourth year at university was really hard, especially as Norwich is so different to Miami. Being away from England for a whole year was surreal so stepping foot on home territory was hard to adapt to.  However, thanks to family and friends (and my dissertation) I was able to adjust back to regular life and still reflected on the amazing memories I had from my year abroad. Writing articles for my student newspaper enabled me to reflect on my year abroad and advise my fellow students about Miami as a city as well as encourage them to study abroad if the opportunity arises.

Saying goodbye to my Australian roommate Jessie was so hard :( 

So for all you students out there or those planning on going to university, I definitely think you should consider studying abroad or finding a degree where a year abroad is part of the course. It is by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It changed my life and I’m sure it’ll change yours.

Mount Rushmore: Four White Men on the Indian’s Rightful Land

During the summer of 2012, I had the opportunity to go on a road trip to visit the infamous Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Completed in 1941, Mount Rushmore is an iconic representation of presidential success. From a young age, I constantly nagged my dad about how much I wanted to see Mount Rushmore so eventually he gave in and decided to take me and my stepmother there. We drove from Sarasota, Florida so made a few stops along the way including Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri and Minnesota. Three days later we finally made it to South Dakota. As we drove towards Mount Rushmore we noticed that we saw masses of motorcyclists heading the same direction. We then realised that Sturgis, a famous annual motorcycle rally was taking place. I had never seen so many motorcycles in all my life, ranging in different colours and sizes, all parked up on the streets leading up to Mount Rushmore. It was amazing to see how much effort people had put into making their motor cycles stand out. Be sure to check it out if you're ever in South Dakota during the first week of August when it takes place.

We loved looking at all the different bikes.

For our first night in South Dakota, we stayed in a place called Wall which was about 50 miles away from Mount Rushmore. Because it was Sturgis, it was very difficult to find a hotel with affordable rooms available so we settled for Wall. Located in the midst of the Badlands, Wall is a very, very small town known for its large pharmacy (Wall Drug Store), which happens to be a popular tourist attraction due to its history stemming from the Depression.  The surrounding Badlands around Wall were breathtaking to look at, and although there wasn't much there, the people were friendly and the bar was very cheap!

So after a night in Wall, we woke up early and were ready to head to Mount Rushmore. I remember being extremely excited, constantly checking sure my camera was charged and sticking my head out of the car window to see if I could see the Presidents’ heads from a distance. Eventually, I saw a sign for Mount Rushmore indicating it was two miles away and I caught glimpse of George Washington’s face.

As soon as we got out of the car, I whipped out the camera and snapped away. The monument is absolutely breathtaking.  We eagerly walked towards the faces, through the Avenue of Flags (the flags of the 50 states, 1 district, 2 commonwealths and 3 territories of the USA) and up to the Grandview Terrace and the Presidential Trail. Access to Mount Rushmore is completely free, although parking is about $10, which is very reasonable. There is also a tourist shop where you can buy souvenirs, food and a drink (I recommend water, its extremely hot in the summer). I couldn't resist buying myself a t-shirt for $24 (plus tax), which was quite pricey but totally worth it because I knew it'd be a worthwhile memorabilia.

The Avenue of Flags

So once we reached Grandview Terrace, the main viewing area, I was in awe with the mountain of faces that stood before me. With the sun gleaming down on their stern white faces, the clear blue skies and the surrounding greenery in the background made Mount Rushmore look beyond picturesque. It was so hard to believe that such a monument was done by the hands of man.

My head amongst the Presidents

 The President's faces (from left to right): George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt Abraham Lincoln

The detail of the faces was absolutely incredibly. The monument as a whole is somewhat intimidating yet completely fascinating. I could not keep my eyes of it. The endearing eyes of Washington follow you, Jefferson's hopeful face looks beyond the land while Roosevelt and Lincoln's expressions, although somewhat hidden, protrude in the shadow just by their stern yet heroic demeanour. As we followed the the Presidential Trail, we delved into the history of the carving of famous American faces into the Indian's precious Black Hills, as they were rightfully known as before Mount Rushmore.

The brave and determined people who worked on Mount Rushmore. Fortunately, and surprisingly, no one died working on it.

The creator himself. Unfortunately, he died just before Mount Rushmore was complete  but his son took control to ensure the monument would be finished.

A traditional type of Indian home (also known as Tepees)

I was not only fascinated by Mount Rushmore as an aesthetic tourist attraction, I was more intrigued 

by its history. This is because it was strongly embedded into the American Studies degree that I was studying at the time. Created and sculpted by Gutzon Borglum, Mount Rushmore acts as a symbol of patriotism and hope for the American people. Yet for the Indian's, especially the Lakota Sioux, Mount Rushmore is nothing more than a monumental graffiti on their rightful land. The history of Mount Rushmore is disheartening in the sense that the Americans violated The Treaty of Fort Laramie 1868 and stole the land from the Lakota Sioux Tribe. The treaty gave the Lakota tribe possession of their sacred Black Hills but the Americans discovered gold there in 1874 so seized the land after the Great Sioux War of 1876.

Controversy has always surrounded Mount Rushmore, and probably always will. In my final year of my degree, I studied a module called Native American Literature and Film where we explored how the Indian's painful history has been conveyed through these two different forms of entertainment. In the feature film "Skins", directed by Chris Eyre, Mount Rushmore plays a significant part in how the story is shaped. We are reminded of how traumatised many Indian's have be become/are because of the years of bloodshed, loss, war and fighting for land. The end scene in the film shows a haunting image of Mount Rushmore with red paint dripping down the nose of Washington's face (watch the film and you'll see why, I may do a review on it). I had mentioned in my seminar that I had visited Mount Rushmore and gave my fellow peers insight into my experience. I mentioned that it's frightening that the white presidential faces earnestly overlook the Indian's Black Hills. The monument as a whole practically acts as a way of reminding Indian's of the tragic history that they were victims of. Mount Rushmore is not only a representation of male white supremacy, it is a recognition of America's hungry desire for westward expansion and the retrieving of land to gain power and wealth. The size of Mount Rushmore alone is enough to overshadow the Indian's land. The American's knew that Indian's considered the Black Hills to be sacred yet rather than respecting their desire for peace, they drilled four white faces into the land stolen from them. Despite the amount of tourists Mount Rushmore attracts, the shame of America and the guilt they will forever hold will never be forgotten.

As a way of compensating the Indian's for the desecration of their land, in 1948 Sioux Chief Henry Standing Bear recruited sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to build the Crazy Horse Memorial in another area in the Black Hills. Unfortunately, Ziolkowski did not lived to see his finished sculpture, he died in 1982, leaving his widow Ruth to take charge of Crazy Horse.

Crazy Horse himself was a Native America war leader of the Oglala Lakota who led various Sioux tribes against the U.S. army. He was eventually killed, yet he was never defeated. He fought for his people right until his death hence why his legacy will always remain.

Me, my Step-mum and Daddy standing in front of the Crazy Horse Memorial

While I was there, I saw the completed face of Crazy Horse, the drawn outline of the horse and even managed to witness workers using dynamite on the rock. We were also able to see what the finished Crazy Horse Memorial will aim to look like through digitalised photos and models. When completed, it will probably be one of the world's largest sculptures, which is pretty impressive. Unfortunately, Ruth Ziolkowski passed away earlier this year so the Ziolkowski children are now in charge, in the hopes of gaining additional funding and support to complete the project. Apparently, the sculpture should be completed by 2050, so still a while to go. I just hope I'm able to see it.

I think the Crazy Horse Memorial is definitely what the Black Hills needs. White men were not the only heroes of America therefore Indian's should be given the recognition they deserve. Crazy Horse is a symbol of hope, strength and courage who watches over the Indians land and looks to the future. Despite the somewhat kind gesture behind Crazy Horse, many people are still critical of its development mainly because of the desecration of the sacred Indian land.

A dynamite blast to remove rock from the mountain 

The face of Crazy Horse was completed in 1998

I hope I'm still around to see the finished sculpture! 

Despite the controversy surrounding it, I think Mount Rushmore is a breathtaking masterpiece, an amazing tourist attraction and a symbol that delves into America's history. With that said, Mount Rushmore can easily be labelled as a permanent mark of disrespect which regurgitates a painful history to many Indian cultures and tribes. I'm glad Mount Rushmore opened my eyes to the harsh realities of a segment of America's history. It encouraged me to learn more about Native American history and the struggles they have gone through to become accepted into the so called "land of the free". The Indian people's perseverance, courage and strength is inspiring. Although the Crazy Horse Memorial will never compensate for the Indian struggle, it acts as a symbol of change and progression.

Just a few quick tips if you are thinking of visiting Mount Rushmore:

• Although admission is free, parking is $10 so do bare that in mind. 
• Take a look in the souvenir shop. A shirt with the president's faces is a must. 
• If you go in the summer, bring lots of sun cream and stay hydrated. It gets extremely hot there. 
• Be sure to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. There is a bus that takes you there and you get to go on a tour of the area. Even though the sculpture isn't finished yet, you'll get to see a dynamite explosion
• Be respectful to the Indian's in there area. Remember they are people, not tourist attractions. Treat them with respect and be polite.

I thought I'd end this article with a quote from Mount Rushmore's creator, Borglum. It sums up his vision and idealisation of not only the four presidents of his choosing, but America as a nation:

"We believe the dimensions of national heartbeats are greater than village impulses, greater than state dreams or ambitions. Therefore we believe a nation's memorial should, like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt, have a serenity, a nobility, a power that reflects the gods who inspired them and suggests the gods they have become".

Viva la España: Port Aventura!

This past summer, my boyfriend and I were fortunate enough to pay a visit to one of Europe’s most popular theme parks, Port Aventura.  The resort and theme park are located in the south of Barcelona, in Salou, on the Costa Dorada, about an hour drive from Barcelona airport. As soon as we got off the plane, we were greeted to sunny blue skies, a blast of humidity and a slight breeze.

For the seven nights we were there, we stayed at the wonderful Hotel PortAventura. With its beautiful Mediterranean theme throughout, spacious rooms, a number of pools, restaurants, and a bar it was perfect. Most importantly, it was right next to the theme park so didn't have to worry about long lines or waking up ridiculously early. The hotel had a deal where we had unlimited access to the park for the time we were there which was great! We also had a room with a view, including two balconies which enabled us to watch the fireworks show from our room. We also had an included breakfast and dinner buffet there which was pretty delicious. There was a variety of food to choose from, and always something different each day.

The theme park itself is huge and filled with plenty to see and do. It features six theme areas: Mediterrània, Far West, Mexico, China, Polynesia and a Seasame Street area for the children. The design and detail engraved in these areas was incredible. The Far West was my favourite with the Grand Canyon type boulders, the Wild West setting and atmosphere, the wooden roller-coasters and even an abandoned grave yard with a talking vulture! China was also very impressive. It even had a replica of the Great Wall of China. Sadly, it failed to stick to the Chinese restaurants style of food. The dishes were highly disappointing, with the food being tasteless and cold. Definitely try other restaurants elsewhere in the park!

There are a variety of attractions and shows at the park including water rides, roller-coasters, a drop tower and even the teacups! The top white-knuckle rides (and my personal favourites) have to be the roller-coasters, Shambhala and Dragon Khan and the drop tower, Hurican Condor. Shambhala had to be my favourite, with its 256ft drop and reaching speeds of 83 mph it was definitely an exhilarating, white-knuckle roller-coaster. Moreover, Shambhala’s unique seating and individual lap bar restraints add to the ride’s thrilling appeal. As a reminder of your experience, you can purchase a ride photo form most of the main attractions. Check out me and Alex’s photo from Hurican Condor below!

During seasonal events, like Summer Nights, the park has a Sesamo Parade and a spectacular FiestAventura fireworks and water show just before the midnight closing of the park. You get the opportunity to see some of your favourite characters, including Woody Woodpecker, a light show and dance performances. Definitely something worth staying for, especially for the kids!

Woody Woodpecker!

Spectacular fireworks and light show

If you want to take a break from the rides then spend a day at the water park, Costa Caribe, located right next to Port Aventura. There’s a huge wave pool, a kiddies play area, a steep drop slide and plenty more! It will definitely keep you cool from the scorching sun! The star attraction had to be El Torrente, a family raft slide, which increases with speed as the float descends. Lots of turns, splashes and a dizzy descent this ride is both thrilling and fun!

For those who like to have a drink and dance, then why not check out the night life that Salou has to offer. About a 20 – 25 min walk from Port Aventura is the strip of a variety of different bars and clubs, not forgetting the abundance of promoters luring tourists into them. Drinks are usually pretty cheap, and be sure to check out the cocktail bars. There are a couple of bars right by the beach which offer large cocktails starting at just 22 Euros, which can be shared as a couple or amongst a group of friends. The clubs can be quite pricey, about 20-30 Euros, but usually include a free drink or shot. The club promoters can be a little bit annoying, handing out leaflets and trying to lure you into practically empty bars so be sure to have your guard up. Apart from that, Salou is very lively, safe and you’re are guaranteed to have a great night out!

Alex and our Sex on the Beach Cocktail. Yummy!

I would definitely recommend a visit to Port Aventura whether it’s a family holiday, a couple’s getaway or just a group vacation with friends. Port Aventura has something for everyone. Be sure to check out Costa Caribe, the beach and the Salou night life! It will be a holiday to remember!

A Not So Ideal Spring Break

The all-American spring break is probably one of the most long awaited short holidays for hundreds of college students. Usually taking place in March, the week long holiday is characterised by thousands of overly excited college students flooding the beaches by day and overcrowding the clubs by night.

Some of the top Spring Break destinations include Miami, Panama City, Daytona Beach and the Bahamas; so pretty much anywhere with sun, sea and a whole lot of alcohol. One of the most popular and crowded spring break destinations is the infamous Cancun. Located in south-eastern Mexico, Cancun is a renowned tourist destination, with sun, sand, clear blue sea, delicious food and lovely resorts. Whilst it may sound perfect in writing, in reality Cancun is not the ideal spring break destination it may seem.

The nightlife in Cancun is wild, lively and never ending. The city never sleeps and neither do the students. Many of the clubs and bars, especially the smaller ones, tend to have an open bar once entry fee is paid. With bright lights, loud music, the alcohol flowing and lots of dancing it is no wonder these clubs stay open till the early hours of the morning. However, students wrongly assume that Cancun is very cheap. In reality the clubs are overpriced, have ridiculously long lines to get in and are genuinely overcrowded inside. Cancun’s biggest club Coco Bongos tends to ask $70-$80 for entry, and if you’re lucky you may get a few free drinks with that! Drinks tend to be overpriced and are not worth the pain of sipping ridiculously cheap brands of alcohol (no Smirnoff Vodka here!).

In terms of safety, Cancun looks sketchy. The streets are very dirty with a lot of litter and an unpleasant smell, as well as a lot of scammers. Many parts are guarded by heavily armed police holding huge guns who are not to be messed with. Tourists are very vulnerable and can be easy targets for theft, especially at night and when intoxicated. Always stay with friends, never go anywhere alone, keep an eye on your drinks and always have a mobile phone and emergency cash with you.

With regards to the weather, Cancun is almost perfect for spring break due to its tropical climate. In March the weather in Cancun is usually very hot and humid which is ideal for the spring break atmosphere. Sun block is essential and a hat and sunglasses will help too. However, Cancun has the tendency to rain a fair bit so be prepared for some dark clouds and showers especially in the afternoons. There is very little to do on a wet day in Cancun, so take advantage of the sun while it’s there.

If you’re tired of all the drinking then why not spend a day exploring ancient Mayan history at Chichen Itza. Built by the Mayan people, Chichen Itza is filled with ancient ruins, archaeological pyramids, temples and a whole lot of history. There are many tour companies which provide a full day excursion to Chichen Itza including a coach, food and stop offs at markets and landmarks. It’s a nice way to see somewhere outside Cancun and get a top up on your history. However, it’s understandable that viewing historical landmarks may not be a student’s ideal way to spend spring break.

Overall, Cancun really is not what it’s cracked up to be. Although the weather is lovely and the beaches are beautiful, the overpriced nightlife, the scamming of tourists and the genuine look of the place are off putting. Cancun really is no different from one of the Greek party islands, except it’s pricier! With places like Panama City, Miami and California being known to host some of the best spring breaks, Cancun should definitely not be a number one pick.

Drug Culture in American Colleges: Have you seen Molly?

As a gateway to Latin America, Miami is at a geographical disadvantage in terms of the transportation of drugs into the city. Consequently this has led to the growth of Miami’s drug culture. Besides from the problems of drug cartels and trafficking, drugs are a prominent feature within tahe Miami college scene. With the drinking age being twenty one, many students unable to obtain alcohol seek other ways to achieve a similar intoxication. Although marijuana, cocaine and even methamphetamine are widely used among the young people of Miami, the newest drug phenomenon in this city has to be MDMA.

Also addressed by its street name ‘Molly’, MDMA has grown to become the choice of drug used within the Miami club scene. Molly comes in the form of a pill or a white powder. It can usually be mixed with bath salts, aspirin or caffeine, leaving a lot of users oblivious to what they are actually putting into their bodies. Deriving from ecstasy, its short term effects are known to give a sense of euphoria, hyperactivity, and insomnia.

Within the club scene, people using Molly are more alert and have the ability to party into the early hours of the morning. The long term effects of it can be more serious and can include high blood pressure, brain injury, depression and in worst cases, heart attacks.

Despite the dangers of it, Molly is probably the most commercialised drug. Along South beach there are plenty of shops selling merchandise ranging from t-shirts to hats with the words ‘Have you seen Molly?’ written on them. These are commonly worn or promoted at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival. As one of the world’s largest music festivals, Ultra is a three-day weekend packed with some of the biggest DJs and live acts from all over the world. With over 160,000 people in attendance, many young people struggle to keep up with the excitement and want to get the most fun they can get out of Ultra. As a result, they turn to Molly.

Some celebrities have even promoted use of this dangerous drug. At Ultra 2012, Madonna took to the stage to introduce an artist, and the pop star asked the audience: “How many people in this crowd have seen Molly?” Although Madonna claimed to be referring to a song, it caused a lot of controversy in the press and she was slammed for her apparent encouragement of the drug.

However, the dangerous side effects of the drug were brought to attention at Ultra 2013 when two people died from overdosing on Molly. As a result, for this year’s Ultra, police have insisted that security will be extra tight and any drug substance will be confiscated immediately.

It is easy to get sucked into the Miami drug culture. With its availability, commercialisation and the genuine curiosity of its effects, it is no surprise that Molly has become the new craze among young people. Rather than “finding Molly”, the solution is to bring awareness to the dangerous consequences of the drug and remove the “luxury” brand associations attached to it.

Welcome to Miami

Located in South Florida, Miami is the ideal party scene. With its spectacular beaches, crazy nightclubs, huge Hispanic culture and its large celebrity population, this city is the perfect holiday destination. Just turned 21? Then Miami is DEFINITELY the place to be!

Usually the first thing people think of when they say Miami is the legendary South Beach, Miami’s most popular tourist attraction. During the day tourists fill up the restaurants and bars on the sidewalk, with music blaring in the background and women and men dressed in their best beach attire.

At night, the party prevails. South Beach’s most famous club, LIV, has been named one of the best night clubs in the world! Located at the hotel Fountainbleu, this prestigious, one of a kind, high-energy night club is not to be missed. LIV attracts many celebrities including rappers such as Lil Wayne and Flo Rida, who can frequently be seen on Sundays, while world star DJs Avicii and Nero have made several performances there. With money literally falling from the ceiling, and spectacular lights, smoke machines and more, LIV definitely lives up to its reputation. You will not be disappointed.

It’s good to mention that if you are female, South Beach nightlife can be a cheap, drunkenly, fun-filled night out. Unfortunately for the guys, it could turn out to be a very expensive. As clubs are so prestigious and often driven by desire to lure plenty of women in, South Beach clubs tend to charge extortionate prices for men, especially if they don’t bring along women. Prices can range from $30 (if you’re lucky) to about $150 (if the bouncers really don’t like you).To avoid such extreme prices, be sure to get to the club before 11pm, bring a bunch of girls, or promoters usually give some good price deals (many including an open bar).

If South Beach doesn't sound like your scene and you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, then downtown Miami is for you. Brickell is located at the heart of downtown, known for its large skyscrapers, wide variety of bars and restaurants and famously P Diddy’s club Fifty, located at the top of the Viceroy Hotel. Brickell is very diverse with an Irish bar, lots of cocktail bars and a few dance clubs. Although it is not as expensive as South Beach, drinks can still be pricey at the bars, especially at club Fifty. As with South Beach clubs, Brickell bars also have a strict age limit of 21.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a younger and wilder crowd, then Coconut Grove is the place to be. Usually referred to as just the Grove, this is most popular area for the University of Miami students, especially on Thursday nights. The Grove is home to the infamous Fat Tuesdays bar, known for its large frozen alcoholic beverages such as strawberry daiquiris as well as Mr. Moes bar which appeals to the many College basketball players. Although Coconut Grove is relatively small and very student based, celebrities have managed to make appearances. Last year Enrique Iglesias was spotted at Mr. Frogs bar partying away.

And what’s more, if you’re not 21 then the Grove has bars such as Mr. Frogs and The Goose which allow those 18 or older to enter. Word of advice, because the Grove is situated less than a mile away from a very bad neighbourhood, tourists are advised to stay close to the bars and not wander off from the area. There are lots of police and taxis around the Grove so help is always there if you are lost.

Overall Miami’s club scene is diverse, cultural and most importantly lots of fun! Don’t just think South Beach is the only clubbing spot, once you explore Miami you’ll soon learn that there is so much more to it than what you see on TV.