How Cougars Spend The Holidays

As airports and roads fill with travelers, as shelves are bared of gifts and goodies, and as tables are filled with family, friends and food, College of Charleston students are headed to all parts of the country and around the globe to see their loved ones and take a break after their hard work during finals.

From traveling to new places to spending quality time with family at home, what our Cougars do over the holidays is as diverse and unique as the student body itself.

The College Today caught up with a few of our students to find out how they’re spending winter break. Happy holidays, Cougars!

Claire Campbell

Claire Campbell

Major/year: Senior, majoring in international business

How you’re spending the holidays: This year my family and I are grateful to be spending the Christmas holiday together in St. Kitts. We don’t typically travel for the holidays, but we are excited to escape the colder temperatures and get some island sun. When we return, I will enjoy some time with my dog and my home friends before heading back to Charleston!

Kevin Jordan

Kevin Jordan

Major/year: Senior, majoring in middle grades education

How you’re spending the holidays: Winter break for me is a time to spend with family and friends. During the semester, I do not have much time to travel from the Lowcountry back to the Upstate where I am originally from. During Christmas break, I love to visit all the old sites and classic diners located in my hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. Christmas is all about giving – what’s better than giving your time and attention to the ones you love the most?

Beyla Bass

Beyla Bass

Major/year: Junior, majoring in geology

How you’re spending the holidays: Usually I like to spend winter break with my family back home in Maryland. Everyone in the Ozur Bass family will be coming home this holiday season, including my brother’s new little puppy! On Christmas day, since everything is closed and my family is Jewish, we like to spend the day delivering meals and holiday cheer to a community of low-income elderly people in Washington D.C. Obviously we have Chinese food for dinner. Also, the day after Christmas is always good time to get deals on string lights! Usually my family has lofty and exciting travel plans for winter break, but this year I’m happy to say we will be keeping it cozy and low-key. Just some hot cocoa, mom, dad, three grown kids and a rambunctious little dog.

Jeronimo Ortega

Jeronimo Ortega

Major/year: Senior, majoring in psychology and women’s and gender studies,.

How you’re spending the holidays: I am looking forward to having more time to spend quality time with loved ones this holiday season and to recharge before returning for my last semester of my senior year. During the semester, it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle between academics, internships, work and more. I am excited to have more free time to do things that bring me joy while creating memories with those I love.

Alec Pourmoghadam

Alec Pourmoghadam

Major/year: Senior, majoring in marketing

How you’re spending the holidays: I will be spending winter break in Big Sky, Montana, with my family. I am looking forward to some relaxation and fun. We are looking forward to going skiing, enjoying the snow and celebrating the holiday season.

Rachel Greene Phillips is a senior Honors College student double-majoring in English and marketing, with a minor in studio art.