On Apr. 20, 2020, the United States and many other countries began to shut down their borders in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. Due to travel restrictions and bans, global citizens were required to cancel or reschedule their travel plans. Travel restrictions affected a lot of our students throughout the community. Now, due to the recent availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, many areas have begun to open up, and citizens have been able to reschedule their travel plans. As people move along in these uncertain times, many question what travel will look like after the pandemic.

When given the opportunity to travel post pandemic students tended to differ on where they would visit first. Some students, like sophomore Ava Harmon, wanted to visit family and friends that they have not seen due to the pandemic.

“Once the pandemic is over I would like to visit my grandparents in Michigan,” Harmon said. “I want to visit Michigan because that’s where I was born, and it’s a pretty state. I planned to go to Michigan, but then the pandemic happened, so once it’s over I would like to go to one of my favorite places!”

For some students, like sophomore Charlie Elliott, when they were given the opportunity to travel, they wanted to travel to areas that are restricted due to COVID-19.

“I would love to go to Italy,” said Elliott. “Maybe a small town … because I wouldn’t want to go somewhere where a lot is happening. I’ve always loved the look of Italy, and I’ve never been to Europe. For the most part, I wouldn’t want a strict schedule. It’d be nice to have some space to just walk around and rest a bit.”

When given the opportunity to travel anywhere, other students, like Matthew Timmer, wanted to travel to places that provided tourism and exotic adventures.

“I want to visit Oregon after the pandemic,” said Timmer. “I want to visit, because I want to see the beautiful and huge trees at the Avenue of the Giants. It would also be cool to possibly see Big Foot and visit the Tillamook cheese factory.”

Whether Clover Hill students are going on simple, foreign or exotic trips, the message is clear: Clover Hill students are wanting fun trips that separates them from these chaotic times.