Student Ambassador

My name is Mackenzie Griffin. I have been selected as a Student Ambassador. This means that due to my interest in other cultures, my Advanced Placement classes, and the letters of recommendations I received from teachers that I have been chosen to partake in this educational journey.

We will travel to four different European countries (France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy) over the course of 19 days to learn as much as possible about their culture in a compact time frame. Native families will host us in each country to further immerse ourselves and learn from the people of the country.

I have included the complete itinerary below as nothing I write would fully encompass the amazing opportunity this holds for me.

France

DAY–1 DEPART FOR PARIS

Meet your delegation and board your overnight flight to Europe.

DAY–2 WELCOME TO PARIS!

YOU ARE HERE: PARIS, FRANCE

Voila Paris! After meeting your delegation manager, start your journey by experiencing some of Paris’ most memorable and iconic sights.

Explore the grand Chateau de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on your own. Built during the reign of King Louis XIV, it was the seat of the royal court from 1682 to 1789, when the French Revolution put an end to the monarchy.

Journey up high one of the world’s most famous attractions, the Eiffel Tower, and admire views of Paris nearly 900 feet above the city streets.

Learn about the history behind this magnificent tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair to commemorate the French Revolution.

DAY–3 DISCOVER YOUR ARTISTIC SPIRIT AT MONTMARTRE

YOU ARE HERE: PARIS, FRANCE

A French guide will join you for an orientation of the city Ernest Hemingway called “a moveable feast.”

Visit the historic Montmartre area, a popular spot for artists and writers before WWI. Marvel at the white Basilique du Sacre Coeur, which is the second highest point in Paris.

Divide into small groups and discover Montmartre, where famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh once created masterpieces.

Enjoy a guided exploration of one of the most impressive art collections in the world at the famous Musee du Louvre. You will visit the highly noted parts of the museum and see Leonardo’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa.

DAY–4 IMMERSE YOURSELF IN CULTURAL DIVERSITY

YOU ARE HERE: STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Understand the importance of human rights when you visit the Council of Europe’s treaty office. The Council was formed in 1949 to encourage Europe’s cultural identity and diversity.

Discover the historic town of Strasbourg, the official seat of the European Parliament.

Experience the charm of the city’s timbered houses and the famous Strasbourg Cathedral, known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe

Switzerland

DAY–5 EXPLORE A STUNNING WATERSIDE COMMUNITY

YOU ARE HERE: LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND

Journey to the heart of Switzerland and discover the waterfront community of Lucerne, a beautiful city surrounded by majestic mountains and full of awe-inspiring sights, including Chapel Bridge, a wooden footbridge built in the 14th century.

DAY–6 PREPARE DELICIOUS DESSERT WITH A PASTRY CHEF

YOU ARE HERE: HEIDILAND, SWITZERLAND

Today, enjoy exclusive access to a tourism school where you will work with a pastry chef and bake your own Austrian Apfelstrudel.

Tempt your taste buds as you prepare these sweet pastries, which we call apple strudel.

Explore enchanting Heidiland, named after the famous book that tells the tales of Heidi, a young girl raised by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps.

Austria

DAY–7 CONTINUE YOUR CULTURALLY IMMERSIVE ADVENTURE

YOU ARE HERE: HOME STAY, AUSTRIA

Create fond memories with your gracious home stay family that has welcomed you into their home. Savor the food, the sights, and the everlasting friendships you have built.

DAY–8 TAKE PART IN TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES

YOU ARE HERE: HOME STAY, AUSTRIA

Today will be spent experiencing European life with your home stay family as you enjoy typical cuisine, meet with locals, and take part in their daily activities.

DAY–9 EXPLORE A CASTLE AND A CATHEDRAL

YOU ARE HERE: SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Uncover Salzburg’s hidden treasures as you explore this beautiful and historic city with your local guide.

Get ready to snap pictures of incredible sights such as the Salzburger Dom, the city’s glorious cathedral that opened in 1628, and the Salzburg Castle, one of the biggest castles in Europe with beautiful valley views.

DAY–10 VISIT AN INFAMOUS NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMP

YOU ARE HERE: VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Continue your exploration of this region and witness some of Vienna’s most important cultural highlights like the State Opera House, the Imperial Palace, and St. Stephan’s Cathedral.

Experience a gloomier chapter of European history when you visit the infamous Mauthausen Concentration Camp.

Learn about the history of these Nazi concentration camps as you delve into Mauthausen’s terrible past. In 1945, Mauthausen held 85,000 inmates.

DAY–11 HELP BUILD A MEDIEVAL CASTLE

YOU ARE HERE: VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Get to work as you plane logs, chisel stones, and weave thatched roofs that will be used to build a medieval castle. For over 30 years, volunteers have been united in building authentic medieval castles without the use of modern technology. Once you return home, you’ll be able to follow the building progress online.

DAY–12 PARTICIPATE IN CHALLENGING MEDIEVAL GAMES

YOU ARE HERE: FRIESACH, AUSTRIA

Spend an unforgettable day in the countryside at the lush and mountainous town of Sirnitz, also known as the “Official People to People Town of Carinthia.”

Upon arrival, you’ll receive a welcome from town dignitaries who will share a very special local treat.

Immerse yourself in culture as you explore a castle with a working moat (the last of its kind in Austria) in the heart of Carinthia.

Participate in farmers’ Olympics and test your skills at “wellie wanging,” which involves hurling a Wellington boot.

Play the role of a knight or maidservant as you participate in a riveting evening of authentic medieval games, including archery or chavelot, followed by a delicious feast where your entertainment will include a fire-breather!

This evening, you’ll bunk in a medieval barn.

See history through the eyes of a former concentration camp prisoner when you meet exclusively with a survivor and engage in a discussion about the conditions and political climate during World War II.

Italy

DAY–13 WITNESS AN EXPERT GLASS BLOWER

YOU ARE HERE: VENICE, ITALY

Experience the tranquility of a canal ride on a Venetian gondola while floating along the “Canale Grande” and other scenic channels.

Explore the bustling alleys, quaint bridges, and calm canals of Venice and take in amazing sights like the Basilica San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs.

Witness a fast-paced Murano glass-blowing demonstration where you will learn about the artistic talents behind each process, from composition to polishing of the glass.

DAY–14 EXPERIENCE THE ‘GATES TO PARADISE’

YOU ARE HERE: FLORENCE, ITALY

Visit to the Accademia Gallery, which houses Michelangelo’s colossal statue, David, as well as paintings and sculptures from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Explore the city of Florence, where you’ll pass by the Duomo and the bronze doors to the Baptistery, which Michelangelo dubbed the “Gates to Paradise.”

DAY–15 DELVE INTO RURAL LIFE ON AN ITALIAN FARM

YOU ARE HERE: VOLTERRA, ITALY

Discover the medieval hill town of Volterra, where the book "New Moon is set. Explore the sights where a coven of vampires are hidden, like Vicolo Mazzoni or the Etruscan Arch, the gate from which characters Bella and

Edward left the city of Volturi.

Enjoy views of the surrounding Tuscan hills and learn about the age-old tradition of Alabaster arts and the many uses of this beautiful stone.

Get ready for a thrilling surprise when you venture into the cellars of Palazzo Viti, a 12-room mansion where scenes from “New Moon” and “Twilight” were filmed. You will be taken underground like Bella, Edward, and Alice in “New Moon.”

Encounter one of Europe’s most iconic buildings: the Leaning Tower.

DAY–16 SNAP PHOTOS OF ITALY’S MMOST FAMOUS LANDMARKS

YOU ARE HERE: FARM STAY – ITALY

Harvest or care for organic vegetables or fruit crops - then eat them during mealtimes. Milk goats or cows, or try your hand at herding them from one pasture to another. Prepare yourself for fun because activities are different all the time! There's never a dull moment on a working farm, and being part of a team means doing what needs to be done.

DAY–17 MEET WITH A PRIEST AT THE VATICAN

YOU ARE HERE: ROME, ITALY

Go beneath the streets of Rome and discover the Christian Catacombs. Rich in art and heritage, the catacombs are a sacred underground burial place that contain ancient examples of Christian art.

Explore the center of the Catholic Church and the world’s smallest country, the Vatican! See the Vatican museums, admire the frescos of the Sistine Chapel, and be inspired at the scale of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Meet with a priest during a unique educational meeting where you’ll learn about Catholicism in Italy and the organization of the Vatican.

DAY–18 GO BACK IN TIME AT THE COLOSSEUM

YOU ARE HERE: ROME, ITALY

Explore the Rome Colosseum, constructed in 72 AD and considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.

Ponder gladiator matches and ancient criminal trials when you journey through the Roman Forum, which for centuries was considered one of the most celebrated meeting places in the world.

DAY–19 DEPART FROM PARIS FOR THE UNITED STATES

Say goodbye to Europe!

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