Pittsburgh, PA. – One student went significantly missing when the student returned to the picturesque University of Pittsburgh campus after spring break. Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old pre-medical student, had disappeared over a week ago, but has yet to be discovered.
Fox News Digital spoke with university students about their views on spring break safety and international travel in light of Conanki's loss of failure.
Students shared safety tips that they plan to implement following the loss of Virginia resident in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
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Sudiksha Konanki on Facebook selfie. The 20-year-old junior at the University of Pittsburgh has been missing since March 6th. She disappeared during a spring break trip to a five-star resort in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. (Sudiksha konanki/facebook)
“I think it's such a crazy concept that anyone, and everyone might have. Especially considering that I had friends at the same resort at the same time, “literally something that could happen to anyone.”
Wagenknecht, along with his friend Olivia Lee, a second-year business student, shared that a group of friends had considered an international trip, but disagreed.
“It was a conversation we had about what kind of people we were going and what we had to do to make sure we were safe in that environment,” Wagenknecht said.
“[Safety while traveling internationally] When you're planning these types of trips, you're at the back of your mind,” Lee said.
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Local authorities were searching for a missing student in Sudiksha Konanki, Punta Kana, Dominican Republic, on Wednesday, March 11, 2025. (Santiago Baez from Fox News Digital)
“I went to Myrtle Beach last year for my senior spring break, especially when you're far from home, you're just around a group of people who are comfortable and have a back,” said first-year business student Robert Beckman. “I'm originally from Ellie. [Pennsylvania]so it was a bit difficult to convince my parents that I should be with my friends. ”
David Eymer, a first-year business student, also said he was taught to stick to the “buddy system” while traveling.
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“It's the buddy system that my family is always growing,” he said. “Like a spring break trip, especially if you're not used to it.”
“Always keep close to what you can trust,” he said. “And try not to get lost on your own when you're in a new environment.”
Kate Wentzler, a junior in interdisciplinary research, told Fox News Digital that she traveled internationally for spring break. She shared how she and her friends can maintain their “buddy system” while traveling or on the go. (Fox News Digital LP Media)
Kate Wentzler, a junior in interdisciplinary research, told Fox News Digital that she went to Spain for spring break. She shared how the break came in “I'm particularly struggling with the semester.”
“It's just a sight to see that this could happen to someone in this field, and it's really sad and tragic to see people around here.” “Unfortunately, that can happen anywhere, regardless of what you do, and that can happen here too.”
Wentzler said that despite Conanki's loss of disappearance, she would still travel to the Dominican Republic, but she warned other students to create a safety plan and stick to it.
“It has something to do with that one night individual choice and even your plans, and even with the plans you use it,” she said. “I think it depends more on that than anything about the doctor itself or on the general travel.”
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Aubrey Coward, a freshman drug student, told Fox News Digital that group travel would be prioritized. (Fox News Digital LP Media)
Aubrey Coward, a first-year pharmacy student, said she was in mind the circumstances surrounding Conanki's loss of disappearance, and that she wouldn't go out herself for future spring break.
““But if I'm traveling during college, my parents have taught me to go with people you know and not leave with anyone. I always travel in groups.”
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Sudiksha Konanki, a US university student, went missing on March 6, 2025 while on vacation with a friend at Punta Cana. (Fox News Graphics)
Conanki, a 20-year-old pre-established student at the University of Pittsburgh, disappeared on March 6 during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. She was last seen early on at the beach near the hotel in Riu Repubblica where she was staying with a friend.
Extensive search efforts by Dominican authorities, including aviation and underwater businesses, have yet to generate evidence of foul play.
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Authorities believe Conanki has requested that he own and that his parents be declared legally dead.
