Middle School European Adventure: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
We are thrilled to share the incredible experiences of our middle school students on their recent trip to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. This educational tour was carefully crafted to give students the opportunity to engage with the destination in a meaningful and immersive way rather than being passive observers.
Our teachers put in a lot of effort and research to create a curriculum that integrated the travel component seamlessly. We identified key learning outcomes and objectives that aligned with the subjects taught in middle school and then curated educational experiences that would enable students to achieve those outcomes while also exploring the rich history and culture of the region.
In social studies, students learned about the Habsburg monarchy and its role in World War I. They visited the Hofburg and Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, where they saw firsthand the opulence of the imperial court and learned about the Habsburgs' influence on European politics and culture. They also had the opportunity to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, with its history of being the home of King Ludwig II.
In literature class, students studied Elie Wiesel's "Night," a memoir about his experience in the concentration camps during World War II. In addition to analyzing the text, students had the chance to visit the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. They saw firsthand the living conditions and heard stories about the atrocities committed, which brought a new level of understanding and empathy to their learning.
Throughout the trip, we emphasized the importance of 21st-century skills such as adaptability and resilience by exposing travelers to new environments, cultures, and experiences. Getting them out of their comfort zones fostered communication and collaboration skills in our students by requiring them to interact with locals and navigate language barriers. Presenting the students with unique challenges and opportunities for exploration and discovery sharpened their vital critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Traveling is an excellent way for students to practice and master these skills, which are essential for success in today's globalized and interconnected world. It also helps to broaden their perspectives and understanding of different cultures, which is a valuable asset in our increasingly diverse society.
Like all of our international tours, this European adventure was an incredible learning opportunity for our middle school students- and so much fun, too! By integrating travel into the curriculum, we were able to create a rich, immersive, unforgettable educational experience that allowed students to engage with the destination and develop skills that will last a lifetime. We look forward to continuing to provide these types of experiential learning opportunities to our students in the future.
