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Not Your Average Parrothead

When it comes to Margaritaville University college ambassadors, it is common for the island state-of-mind to be passed down by their parents. They grew up going to Jimmy Buffett concerts, wearing flip flops, and living life the Margaritaville way. For these parents of MargU ambassadors, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

However, there’s a new generation of Parrotheads entering the scene now…and not all the enthusiasm is being passed down the family tree. This is the case for me. Before I became a Margaritaville University ambassador, my parents were familiar with a few songs of the tropics, but didn’t live with me on island time.

At this point in our lives, college students look to their parents for advice, support, and even inspiration. But what about the effect we have on our parents? It feels great to be able to share something I love (Margaritaville!!) with them, and I like to think I have a little bit of an influence on them. Trust me, nothing makes me happier than when I get in the car to find my family listening to Radio Margaritaville! Since becoming an ambassador, it’s been a blast introducing my parents to some of my favorite Buffett songs and explaining the fun challenges associated with the program.

One of my favorite memories from the last MargU semester was riding in the car with my mom, working on the ‘carpool karaoke’ challenge. We had so much blaring “Fruitcake” and laughing about how crazy we seemed to those we drove by. To me, that’s what Margaritaville is all about…creating amazing memories with family and friends.


Besides singing in the car, how else do I share Margaritaville with my parents and other loved ones? Starting small is an easy way to educate others around you on the Margaritaville state of mind. A koozie here, a sticker there, and soon enough they’ll want to apply for the program themselves! Plus, I deck them out in gear, of course! In my opinion, one can never have too many t-shirts with parrots on them. I love how excited my roommates get when I give them swag or hand out discount codes to students on campus.

Another way I recruit people to the fun and escapism of Margaritaville is by telling them what I do as an ambassador. The usual response when I explain Margaritaville University – “I wish that would’ve been around when I was in college!”

This program and all of the things we, as ambassadors, do is so different from any other ambassador program. MargU is constantly growing and changing, so no one semester is the same.

I’m proud knowing the Margaritaville University community is having an impact on people young and old, both in and out of college. I firmly believe the best part of the Margaritaville lifestyle is how easy it is to share with others.

Margaritaville doesn’t discriminate! People of all ages from all over the world believe in the 5 o’Clock somewhere mindset.

So, no matter if your family is filled with generations of Parrotheads, you are a new fan, or if you are the one bringing your inner circle to the island state of mind, breathe in, breathe out and find your Margaritaville.

Grace McNamara is a Margaritaville ambassador at the University of Northern Iowa. Learn more about Margaritaville University here.