In Irvine, a senior trip is often seen as a rite of passage after graduation. Once they finish high school, teenagers visit a foreign nation or a different state, spending days, if not weeks, with their friends exploring their newfound independence.
These trips are usually relaxing and full of exciting adventures, but they require a lot of planning. There are many things to take into account, such as hotels, daily transportation, activities that may need to be booked, and a lot of collaboration between organizers.
Meili Nishi, a senior, has finished organizing her senior trip with her friend group and is ready to offer some advice. “The first thing that you need to do is decide who all is coming, so you know whether to look out for four-person activities or five,” Nishi said.
Indeed, knowing the number of people who are coming along also helps determine how many ways money has to be split after booking.
Sofija Krezovic, a junior, has already booked her whole trip for when she graduates in the summer of 2027. “Booking in advance, almost two years in advance, makes it so that the prices are very affordable,” Krezovic said. Determining the dates for the trip is the next step, as many people may already have other commitments during the summer.
Next, one of the most important steps is to decide the location of the trip. “You could go to multiple countries, each for a day, or you could go to one country for a few weeks. I decided that the first one sounded better,” Krezovik said.
Krezovik plans to visit more than 10 countries on her trip, including Italy, France, Germany, and Vietnam.
Choosing the destination or destinations is often the hardest step, with many people having different comfort levels and opinions for their ideal senior trip. It is important to take into consideration each person’s opinions, as the best trip is the one where everyone enjoys.
After choosing the destination, the next things to consider are the transportation and living accommodations.
“Depending on how far you go and how the prices are, you could take a train, a flight, or you could drive there,” senior Anastaciia Demydova said, while talking about her own senior trip to Portland.
If choosing flights, Krezokiv emphasizes the steep increases in the price of the flight tickets the closer the date arrives, suggesting that flight tickets should be purchased as soon as possible. Prices can increase by more than $50 each day.
However, Nishi’s friend group opted for trains, as they are cost-efficient and low-stress, with minute price increases each month. Nishi stresses that one of the negatives of taking trains is the long travel time, as trains make multiple stops.
Booking living accommodations can be a strenuous task, as many things have to be taken into account. “There’s hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs. And then how far do you want to live from downtown? Is there public transportation nearby? Is it safe?” Demydova said.
Moreover, Nishi suggests calling ahead to the hotel to confirm the reservation and ask questions, as some hotels don’t let people check in unless they are 21 or older, highlighting another possible hurdle for the often 18-year-old high school graduates.
Krezovik remarks how she prefers hostels over other accommodations, as they are available for a fraction of the price.
After reserving living accommodations, the next step includes determining specific activities to do at the chosen destination. “Some of the places that I’m going to visit are downtown Portland and the Portland Japanese Garden,” Demydova said.
Determining which places to visit is very important because many places require booking in advance. Nishi had to reserve a hike to Mountain Rainier in Seattle months in advance due to its high demand.
One step that is often forgotten is deciding how people will travel shorter distances in the same city. Krezovik suggests looking into public transportation in the area, such as buses and trains, as some are often cheaper or even free for people 18 and under.
The only other tasks to do before the trip are to go shopping for appropriate clothes and food to take there. It is important to coordinate with groupmates so that there is at least a group sunscreen and a variety of packaged snacks.
“At the end of the day, it’s really about the people you’re with. As long as you’re together, it’ll be fun,” Nishi said.
With careful planning and the right group, a senior trip can become one of the most meaningful experiences of high school.
