From snowball fights to soaring cathedrals, George Walton Academy students experienced Europe not just as travelers, but as curious learners and connected companions during their Winter Term trip. As ninth-grader Chloe Bettner shared, “Not only learning about but seeing how the other side of the world works was truly wonderful… I’d relive every moment of it again if I had the choice. I was lucky enough to bond with everyone on the trip and carry some of those friendships back home with me.”
The journey through Vienna, Munich, Geneva, and Chamonix blended history, science, and alpine adventure—along with a daily tradition that quickly became a favorite: impromptu snowball fights. “The thing from the trip I will remember most was the snowball fights that we had in every country,” said Carter Delp.
In Vienna, students stepped back in time at Hofburg Palace, the Austrian National Library, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, St. Michael’s Church, and the Papyrus Museum. After traveling by train to Munich, they participated in a cooking class and explored innovation at the Deutsches Museum and BMW Museum. One of the most impactful moments came during a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp. It was a somber, powerful experience that provided a history lesson no textbook could replicate.
A scenic drive through the Alps led the group to Geneva, where they toured Chillon Castle, visited CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), and explored the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. Students also saw the Reformation Wall, the Broken Chair sculpture, and the United Nations’ European headquarters.
The adventure culminated in Chamonix, France, with unforgettable views of Mont Blanc. Students ascended via cable car and gondola to experience the summit, walk through a snow tunnel, step into a glass skybox, and enjoy an alpine lunch. They later traveled to Montenvers to see the Mer de Glace glacier and descended into an ice cave carved deep within the ice. “The most beautiful part of the trip was touring Mont Blanc,” shared senior Bailey Williamson. “It was breathtakingly beautiful and something words simply cannot describe.”
Reflecting on the trip, London Lewis said, “I was most grateful for the opportunity to see the world and different cultures, not only that, but making new friends and hilarious memories along the way.” Bailey added, “One of the many takeaways from my trip… was the connections I made with the people on this trip. I would highly suggest students continue to take advantage of these opportunities with GWA, they truly are unforgettable experiences, and I know for me will last forever in my memories.”
