During Spring Break 2019, my family and I took a trip to Hawaii—and it was just as incredible as you’d imagine. There’s something magical about the islands: the air, the pace, the feeling of being far away from everything that weighs you down. Much like my 2016 trip to London, Hawaii became a much-needed escape during an otherwise rough stretch of life.

The 2018–2019 school year was a mixed bag. There were definite highlights—making more friends, landing an internship at NOVA PBS, and getting accepted into the ELA program. But the presence of my roommate from hell marked the entire chapter with significant distress. If there was one upside, it’s that his presence pushed me to spend as little time in the apartment as possible. In a strange way, that motivated me to explore more of the city, make social plans, and stay focused on my internship.

My parents, aware of how bad things had gotten, did their best to get me out of that environment whenever they could. That meant things like an impromptu weekend getaway to Maine, a month back home over winter break, and, thankfully, this unforgettable trip to Hawaii.