Complete and Creative

Sex While Studying Abroad (1/2)

Yes, it does happen. Don’t be too alarmed. Don’t get too excited either.

First, I’d like to make the distinction that sex while studying abroad is a specific category in the ever-so-attractive lifestyle of travel sex.

This is not the mile-high club, which is blessed or cursed with the fact that you will most likely never see the person again after the airplane hits the runway. This is not hostel sex, which is blessed or cursed with the fact that you will most likely never see the person again after you don your backpacks once more.

It’s a lot like hooking up back home but with a somewhat surreal feel to it because you know you’ll be going back to “reality” pretty soon (unless you’re one of those who are taking your entire college career abroad, which is a whole separate topic). This should remind early readers of one of my earliest articles.

This can get pretty complicated. Allow me to chicken out and use the 5 W’s and H to format this article.

Who

Nah, this is quite an interesting tidbit. I’ll comment on this a little later.

What

Just in case we needed to be clearer on this, we’re talking about sex. S-e-x. There, don’t be shy. Say it with me. Sex. Not just holding hands, not just making out, not just gazing into each other’s eyes under a starlit sky. Please don’t make me get into the mechanics.

When

This is crucial. If it happens too early in the study abroad program, things might get awkward and stay that way for a long time, in which case you’ve just paved your way into a few random episodes of “Gossip Girl.” If it happens too late, then you don’t really have a chance to resolve matters. Closure is quite important for your emotional sanity.

Keep in mind that if it happens too early, you also will have to deal with the people who find out. As life has taught us, most humans have varying degrees of desire for gossip, usually from nosy to paparazzi.

It is a delicate balance. But I suppose timing doesn’t really matter if the two of you (or the three of you…or the four of you…) have similar philosophies regarding travel sex.

Where

The sky’s the limit here. Your place. Her place. His place. Its place. Bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, that haunted staircase at school. I would recommend a venue that offers some degree of privacy, though. You can start at the party, but unless you’re a real exhibitionist, I suggest taking the real show somewhere else.

Why

Okay, I really don’t know why. People have needs? It’s fun? Guys and girls like to have bragging rights? Some people are just going for the 7/7 gold? Who knows?

Who

You’ve got your choices. Just keep in mind your choices have got their choices too. Will it be a fellow international student or one of the local students? One of your professors (oh boy) or one of the teacher’s assistants (oh yeah)? Your neighbor who’s probably seen you in your towel anyway? Some random guy or girl at the bar or club?

to be continued…