Owen Harrington, Staff Writer

February 14, 2024

From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the base of the Alps, EXCEL trips can take you to some of the most romantic locations across the globe. Whether traveling with classmates you know well or peers you’re just getting to meet, these trips can be a great time to make the move you’ve been waiting for. Be careful, though, because things can get very awkward very fast, and before you know it, you could be counting the days until your flight home. This guide should help you to maximize your chances of success and create memories that will probably last longer than your relationship.

First, it’s important to set some ground rules. EXCEL trip rosters are often made up of students of many grade levels, and this should go without saying, but if the grades don’t touch, neither do you. Also, be aware that you and your prospective partner are not the only people on this trip, so refrain from excessive PDA, as this will only serve to make your classmates and chaperones uncomfortable. In addition, always be mindful of the places you’re visiting. Some EXCEL trip destinations have extremely complex and unfortunate histories, and it’s important to treat these places with the utmost respect, even if that means taking a moment away from your new special someone. Finally, please don’t break any of the trip rules. While love can cause people to do unwise things, it’s really not worth an early flight home. 

Now that those are out of the way, here are some things you definitely should do to help the sparks fly during your off-campus adventure. Do your best to take advantage of your location. It is not often that you’ll have the opportunity to make the first move in some of the beautiful places the world has to offer. Whether you find yourself in the bright and bustling streets of Tokyo or the tranquil rainforests of Costa Rica, these exotic environments can be a perfect backdrop for really getting to know someone new. Also, always look for fun mini-date ideas throughout the trip. Grabbing gelato from a street cart or exploring an ancient site can be great ways for you and your partner to really connect. Try your best to get a few moments alone with your special someone. Always being in the spotlight of your friends and chaperones can put a lot of pressure on both of you to act a particular way. These private times can help you define your relationship and will also give the rest of the trip-goers a break from always seeing you together. Finally, it is always vital to have a group of friends that you can go back to at the end of the day to get advice and support from. 

Also, make sure not to forget your situation back home. Without a phone on these trips, it can be easy to forget the circumstances that will be waiting for you when you return, so do your best to avoid creating a difficult situation for yourself and your partner when you land back in Boston. Speaking of the flight back, while it might be tempting, try not to sit together. Flying can bring out the worst in people, and if you can avoid seeing that side of your partner so early in the relationship, you’ll likely do better in the long term. 

Lastly, I’d like to offer a word of warning for anyone thinking about tying the knot on your upcoming EXCEL trips. No matter how discrete you think you are being, every single person on the trip, including chaperones, will know about your relationship. Then, as soon as you get back, people will start talking, and before you know it, the entire school will be fully aware of what you got up to over break. And yes, even most teachers will hear about it somehow.

Hopefully, these tips will help some of you find love on your upcoming trips, and even if it doesn’t last, I hope you make the most of it and learn some valuable lessons that might help you in your future relationships at Nobles and beyond.

(Photo Credit: Avery Winder)