For decades, Nobles students have returned from EXCEL trips with stories of transformation, connections, deep cultural exchanges, and a newfound global perspective. Now, for the first time, a group of faculty and staff members will embark on their own EXCEL trips. 14 faculty and staff members will travel to Rwanda, while another group of around 10 will journey to the French Pyrenees.
The idea of faculty EXCEL trips emerged during last year’s event, which was created by Steve Ginsberg, Chief Financial and Operating Officer. BBIB was a forum designed to bring together faculty and staff to pitch ideas for the future of Nobles, contributing to the school’s strategic planning process. Out of this event came a multitude of ideas, one of which was the opportunity for faculty to experience the transformative EXCEL opportunities that often change the lives of students. “It’s an unbelievable step by the school, to be honest,” Athletic Director Alex Gallagher said, who will lead one of the teacher trips this coming June.
The faculty EXCEL trips are more than just travel; they are an investment in the future of the EXCEL department. “We’re hoping the trips give adults an EXCEL-like experience and deepen the pool of adults who might become future trip leaders or chaperones,” Gallagher said. These trips also aim to strengthen Nobles’ core value of fostering deep, meaningful relationships between students and teachers. “We wanted to create shared experiences for adults in the community, so that connections made through these trips form lasting bonds,” Gallagher said. Nobles hopes not only to forge stronger relationships with partners overseas but also to deepen the connections within its own community.
“We’re hoping the trips give adults an EXCEL-like experience and deepen the pool of adults
who might become future trip
leaders or chaperones.”
The trips will also serve as an opportunity to give back to the hardworking faculty and staff at Nobles by offering them experiences they may not have had growing up. “When I was younger, experiences like traveling to Rwanda or hiking through the Pyrenees weren’t available to me. For most people in my generation, that kind of adventure and risk-taking wasn’t part of the high school experience,” Gallagher said. These trips are designed not only to bolster the EXCEL department but also to provide faculty and staff with a chance to step out of their comfort zones in meaningful ways while staying connected with Nobles.
Both trips will mirror student EXCEL trips, with the Rwanda trip following nearly the same itinerary, albeit slightly condensed. The trips will visit the same destinations and engage with the same communities. However, one major difference lies in the intent behind the cross-cultural connections. “With students, a big part of the experience is relationship-building between Rwandan youth and Nobles students, but with teachers and staff, however, it’s also about what the adults can give—and get—in a more professional sense,” Gallagher said. Faculty members will not only travel for the experience but also in a more professional capacity. For example, members of the College Counseling and Academic Support departments will spend time with their counterparts in Rwanda to share and learn from each other’s expertise.
The approach to faculty trips will be consistent with the principles of student trips. Just as student groups do, teacher groups will meet in advance to learn about the trip itinerary, the destination, and to prepare for cultural differences and norms. For many participants, this will be the biggest trip they’ve ever taken, and the EXCEL department and trip leaders are focused on providing support to those who may be nervous or stepping outside their comfort zones, just as it is for many students about to embark on their respective trips.
This year’s inaugural EXCEL trips to Rwanda and the French Pyrenees represent a significant step for the EXCEL department and reflect Nobles’ commitment to cross-cultural connections and growth across the school. These trips will build the foundation of international professional relationships.
