Before going on the study abroad Alps trip I was lucky enough to have already been to Austria and Switzerland but going back now that I’m older and have more knowledge I truly appreciated more the experience. Not only was it an insanely fun and adventurous trip but it was also educational, and learning about history from a textbook is one thing but going to these countries and seeing what you’re learning about is a whole new experience and one that I would recommend to anyone who is considering studying abroad to do so. One part of the trip that was really interesting to me was trying all of the foods from the countries we visited because it is one thing to have these foods in the United States and another to actually go to where these foods originated because the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.
Something that I learned about Austria that I don’t think was really explained in my history classes before was that Austria was a huge country before World War 2 and after the war, it condensed to a very small country; it originally reached all the way to the border of Russia. In fact, for many younger people such as myself, the effects of World War One and two don’t really affect us personally but while we were in Austria, we learned that when Austria lost so much land it truly affected those who lived in Austria before and during the war and even today some people are still struggling because of that.
One part of the trip that was a culture shock what is that not as many people speak English as much as I thought they would. In the United States, we learn that English is a universal language and that many countries learn it as their secondary language, however when we were in Austria, we found out kids start with German and then can choose English, but many choose languages such as French or Italian. After this trip, I think I will pay more attention in my French class as it seems to be a good language to know when traveling throughout the European continent, and also brush up on my German.
-Paige, SPC Collegiate High School Student, Alps Program, March 2022
I have always been interested in other countries as well as their cultures, and I have wanted to study abroad for a long time. However, affordability has always been an issue for me with studying abroad as it tends to be very expensive, but the scholarship I received really helped. I am super grateful for the program because I would not have been able to go on this amazing trip without it. I learned so much about the history and culture of Austria and Switzerland the countries that we visited and had a great time.
On the trip we had time we spent with guides who were amazing and time we spent on our own in groups. Our guide was with us the entire trip and he was super knowledgeable about everything we asked him, and he showed us some really cool historic sights. On our time in groups, we visited a lot of different places, and it was really nice to be able to go to places we chose. We went to a lot of museums and palaces which were really cool. We also went to some local cafes which were cool. We even went to the Furst café in Salzburg which is the café that Mozart went to when he was alive.
Going on this trip would not have been possible for me without the scholarship that was given to us. I will always remember this experience, and the fun I had with my friends. Through every place we visited there was something new and memorable to see and learn. All in all, I had a great time and am super thankful for the opportunity to go on this trip because I would not have been able to go without the scholarship that we all received.
-Zachary, SPC Collegiate High School Student, Alps Program, March 2022
This photo was from Lake Lucerne, Switzerland. The shores of this lake are formed by steep mountains, specifically Mount Rigi and Pilatus, and it is the fourth largest lake in the country. This was one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland and looked the best at night.
– Abhishek, SPC Collegiate High School Student, Alps Program, March 2022