With its snow-covered mountains and sweet-smelling chocolates, my visit to Switzerland was a dream come true. Landing in Zurich, our way to Lucerne filled our eyes with its picturesque natural beauty. Our hosts gave us a warm welcome at Lucerne from where we went with our respective host families. Jetlag did not affect us as we were too excited about the one week in the land of Alpine mountains and sapphire blue lakes. In the following days, apart from our cultural exchange project discussion and presentation, we had an opportunity to learn more about the country. We had a city tour of both Zurich and Lucerne. Our trip to Mt. Titlis was memorable not only because of its breathtaking view but also because it was the first time we played with snow. The UNO and Red Cross Museum visit gave us a lot of information along the way. Then we had our cultural performance for which we students practiced for weeks where we were able to showcase our cultural beauty to them. We also went to a radio station where we were divided into groups of 5 and asked to make a sequence on our own which was so far a very novel experience as it bonded us together better than we could imagine. We had an opportunity to visit the iHome lab which is a futuristic home and had the privilege to meet the refugees of the Hello Welcome Refugee Camp at school.
The most noticeable thing about the school tour was the fact that they were using advanced technology in teaching and learning. A few books, a pen and a laptop in the schoolbag, that’s all you need. The school located near a lake has a serene atmosphere which adds to the stress-free environment. I couldn’t ask for a better host family as they were kind enough to take me in as a part of their family and made me feel at home. They took me hiking to the Pre Alps and we visited a chocolate factory where we could decorate our chocolates. Even though it was sad to depart from them, the thought of seeing them soon in India lightened up everyone’s mind. It would be unfair to conclude without talking about the calm and peaceful environment and the courteous behaviour of the Swiss people. Overall, I had a very unique and unforgettable experience which I would cherish lifelong. Thanks to my school authorities for selecting me in the team and also thanks to my friends who were with me in the venture for making the trip more enjoyable.
