My study abroad trip to Austria and Switzerland was amazing and once in a lifetime! My favorite parts of the trip were Salzburg and Vienna in Austria and Lucerne in Switzerland. It was great learning about the difference in culture between America and Europe, and to learn the history and conflict between these European nations. The architecture in the cities were astounding and very ornate, and all of the cathedrals in each of the cities were incredible! The Schonbrunn palace in Vienna was enormous and very beautiful, it was probably bigger than my school’s campus! I would definitely recommend a study abroad trip to anyone thinking about going on one in the future!

-Boden, SPC Collegiate High School Student, Alps Program, March 2022

During my Study abroad experience in Austria and Switzerland, I was presented with a vast amount of educational and social opportunities that I have never been offered before. I got to bond with my teachers and meet new students, forming lasting friendships. This trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which was packed with plenty of tours, free time, and suggestions for various museums and places to visit on our own. 

Study Abroad provided amazing meals that accommodated my dietary needs, which I appreciated as it’s hard to find accommodations sometimes. I also had tons of fun going out on my own with a group and trying different local foods and shops. My favorite parts of the trip were the museums, exploring local shops, and the chocolate factory! Our tour guide gave amazing museum recommendations that were fun to check out if the time was right. While exploring we found cool shops and nice thrift stores where I could get plenty of gifts to bring home to my family. The chocolate factory was also amazing and I would have never expected it to be so big! Other highlights of my trip would be the scenery I got to see along the way. The mountains were beautiful and I got to have my first experience of snow! The salt mines were memorizing and I learned about the ancient processes of how operations were performed there. Even some of the street art and murals were gorgeous! The architecture was next level and the fact that some of these buildings and places are older than our country was so weird to think about!

I also want to say that my teachers were absolutely wonderful the whole trip and did amazing staying on top of everything and making sure we all had the best trip we could. As well as our tour guide for putting his all into showing us his love for the country. I loved the touching moments we all got to share during and especially towards the end of the trip. 

I would love to go on another study abroad trip as the mountains and land of Switzerland and Austria were absolutely beautiful. This trip was 100% worth every penny spent and I wish I could have stayed for longer. I hope I get to travel again soon, as every day I’m back I dream about seeing the beautiful places I saw in Austria and Switzerland again.

– Joy, SPC Collegiate High School Student, Alps Program, March 2022

When I first heard of this trip, I was instantly moving to at least try and sign up, seeing that there was a scholarship that would go to the trip if you earned it. It was a simple process, and eventually, I was told I got it! And through that, it allowed me to enjoy the trip with my friends and newfound friends more comfortably! I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity it gave me, allowing me to try new things, be it foods or activities that were local to the country. The scholarship made the trip affordable too, as everyone knows going abroad takes a bit of money, be it due to hotels or travel. This is not even considering the food or things you asked to bring back. So, any help goes a long way in allowing this trip to be incredible as it turned out to be.

When we were allowed to go on our own, with our friends, I would use this time to go out and take advantage of every moment. I went to various museums, one of which was the globe museum, which was just that, a museum about globes. Which was surprisingly enjoyable, and after, we went to a local restaurant in Vienna, trying the coffee and food. None of which would be possible without the opportunities given to us through the scholarship. I’ll forever remember this experience, and the fun I had with my friends, it was amazing! Through every country there was something new and memorable, be it something silly like the globe museum, or something profound in history along the streets of the historic cities. But all in all, I’ll remember the people on this trip, our guides were wonderful and my peers fostered a fun learning environment for all.

– Ana, SPC Collegiate High School Student, Alps Program, March 2022