During the first semester of my sophomore year, I attended Swiss Semester, a highly selective experiential study abroad program alongside 50 fellow U.S. high school students in Zermatt, Switzerland. In addition to challenging academic courses, the curriculum consisted of outdoor lab learning, outdoor adventures (i.e., hiking, climbing, gorging, mountain biking, and skiing) and challenges designed to push us past our comfort zone and achieve personal growth and self-confidence while exploring European cultures, language and art history. We barely had access to technology during the program; we spent all our times immersed in nature and bonding with new friends.

The program was transformative for me. I walked away with a newfound passion for environmental science and geology. I have always loved being outside, but learning about water systems and the logic of rock formations pushed my passion to another level. After Swiss Semester, I came back to New Trier with a desire to challenge myself in the sciences. I think I’m one of the first people to take AP Biology and AP Environmental Science at the same time.