Spring Break. A week that consists of nonstop partying and drinking ourselves into oblivion, right? Apparently, the media has decided how college students should spend their vacation. Whether it’s while searching for destinations on Google or scrolling through our social networking sites, there continues to be an increasing amount of advertisements depicting this outrageous party culture that is Spring Break. Anything short of this ideal should lead to disappointment; at least that is what millennials are taught to believe.

As a 22-year-old college senior rapidly approaching graduation, I have had my fair share of fun. However, if I have learned anything over the past four years it has been that having a good time does not necessarily mean partying and getting drunk.

Two weeks ago, I was in Montego Bay, Jamaica for Spring Break. I had only been there one other time when I was very young with my family on a cruise years ago, so I felt as if I was experiencing the country for the very first time. To be honest, I really didn’t know what to expect. The resort we stayed at was all-inclusive. Yes, that means endless food, but also alcohol, which was made very apparent.

While checking into the hotel, we were greeted by fruity cocktails and graciously reminded that all drinks are included – even the mini bar in our room. At first, we were both ecstatic. An open bar and endless alcohol for an entire week? How do people survive? However, I soon realized that drinking would not become a major priority of mine.

Now, don’t get me wrong. A day or two of partying is fun, but an entire week of endless boozing? It’s not really necessary. And I think we all might be surprised at how many of my peers would agree with me.

Day after day, tour guides and resort employees continually suggested alcohol-fueled activities.

“You guys HAVE to go on the booze cruise! All drinks are free on the boat! Everyone your age will be on it! You’ll love it! It’s cheap too!”

I’ll love it. Everyone my age was doing it. I was basically guaranteed to have the time of my life. Advertising on the island echoed the calls of the tourism staffers.

At first it was comical watching the classic spring breakers around me who were drinking until they couldn’t walk straight. Then it became almost concerning. What is the point of visiting a completely different country if you won’t even remember it? How could someone be in a foreign destination and be completely unaware of the magnificence that surrounds them?

My boyfriend and I decided to see for ourselves, venturing off the resort to do something other than the heavily promoted booze cruise. Unfortunately, because of our age we had to seek out someone to help us find an activity that we actually wanted to do, instead of the pursuits they expected us to crave. On our last full day, we decided to go on a bus tour that included crocodile watching, a leisurely swim in the beautiful YS Falls in St. Elizabeth, and a tour of the Appleton Rum Factory. What I didn’t realize was that it was going to take 3 hours to get to our first destination. In that time, I learned more about the country’s culture than I could have ever imagined.

We left at 7AM, and met Georgia, our local tour guide. Aside from one other couple from England, Robbie and I were the only people on the tour bus who were under the age of 40.

As we drove through the city, my perception of the island completely changed. I saw the unfiltered version of the developing country that I had been sheltered from by staying on the resort. I learned that Jamaicans don’t speak English, but Patwah, which is an entirely different dialect that combines words from multiple languages. I learned about the school systems, politics and laws. I was able to see the way people in “the hills” live versus those in the city. I discovered that 40% of the island is unemployed and depends on the land to survive. I was able to eat an authentic Jamaican meal cooked by locals. For the first time during my trip, I was able to immerse myself into a different culture. And it was about a hundred times better than even the most enjoyable of booze cruises (and well worth the extra money). In fact, if I were going to pay for anything I wanted to be sure it was something I could only do in Jamaica.

And I’m fairly certain, I’m not the only millennial who feels this way. According to Skift, while 36% of millennials prefer beach-oriented travel, 35% of millennials desire a culture-oriented trip. Perhaps that number would be even higher if these cultural excursions were advertised better and more frequently leading up to and during Spring Break.

Although resorts are already making a fortune off of college Spring Breakers who think they want nothing more than partying and drinking, it might be time for a change. Obviously, most millennials are not going on Spring Break for educational purposes. However, with all of the money they are already spending, if you want them to spend more, why on earth wouldn’t you promote your cultural attractions?

College kids can, and will, get drunk anywhere. What is important is showing them the qualities that make your specific destination unique. It’s time to encourage millennials to see past the pool bar. College students should leave a foreign country with more than just a tan and a hangover, and once you convince them to do it, they’ll likely be glad they did. I certainly was.