Jet Skis, Donuts, and Dolphin Cruises: A Summer Kickoff Story
Jet Skis, Donuts, and Dolphin Cruises: A Summer Kickoff Story
by Zoë Lotters
Hey there! I’m Zoë Lotters—a full-time international student at Maryville College in Tennessee. I’m originally from the beautiful city of Cape Town, South Africa, and I’m currently majoring in Biology and Chemistry. My journey to the U.S. started three years ago when I came to Maryville for what was supposed to be a one-year work experience. However, soon after I arrived, I completely fell in love with the mountains, the southern charm, and the incredible people. So, I stayed another year… and then jumped into studying here full-time. Best decision ever! College life has been a whirlwind of new friendships, cultures, and unforgettable memories. In my first year, I met so many amazing people from around the world, but one friendship stood out. Over the past fall semester, I became best friends with Alexa, an exchange student from South Korea (some of you may know her!). We had big plans to reunite after the semester, and we made it happen in May 2025, right on the beaches of Panama City, Florida.
My family and I hit the road on May 17th, driving 8.5 hours to our beach rental. Day one was all about settling in and catching up on rest. After that? Pure bliss. My mornings were spent soaking up the sun by the water, sipping colorful drinks from the café, and eating at a new restaurant every night. Four days later, Alexa finally arrived—and our long-awaited reunion was everything I hoped for. I hadn’t seen her in five months, so when I spotted her at the airport, I ran up, screaming with the biggest smile on my face. She wasn’t jetlagged (thankfully), so we kicked things off right away with dinner and a walk on the beach.
Our go-to spots? Bayou on the Beach, Runaway Island, Mike’s Café & Oyster Bar, and of course The Donut Hole—because vacation calories don’t count, right? We didn’t stop at just Panama City. Mid-week, we took a little detour to Rosemary Beach for some shopping with my mom and lunch at Cowgirl Kitchen (which I highly recommend). The next day, it was off to Destin for a dolphin boat ride with my dad and brother. Not only did we see a bunch of dolphins, but the cruise also came with unlimited beverages. Let’s just say… it was a very good time. Our final day in Florida was a full-on adventure. We went jet skiing, played water lacrosse with my family, and wrapped up the trip with a big family dinner. It was the perfect send-off before heading back to Maryville.
Thankfully, the fun didn’t stop there. Alexa only had one week to squeeze everything in, and I made it my personal mission to make every second count. Sunday was for shopping at West Town Mall and catching up with our international crew over dinner. On Monday, we went full-on Tennessee with a family trip to Dollywood. By Tuesday, her last full day, we slowed things down, made photo boards to capture the week, and just enjoyed some chill, quality time. Then came Wednesday. At 4:30 a.m., I drove Alexa to the airport. It was a quiet ride. We hugged. We cried. But it wasn’t a sad goodbye—it was more like pressing pause. With a 13-hour time difference, our friendship usually lives on FaceTime calls at the weirdest hours. Still, nothing beats the real thing. Our beach trip may be over, but summer is just beginning. And something tells me it’s going to be one for the books.
