Stunning Castles and Alpine Views Impress Hornets on Europe Trip

Students visited Heidelberg, Germany as well as other sites throughout Austria and Switzerland. *Photo: EF Tours*

By JOSEPH TRONTZ and LUKA TAYLOR

At 12 p.m. on April 20 — the first day of spring break — 30 students led by Mr. Albert Peterson and his four chaperones nearly sleepwalked off the plane at Vienna International Airport in Austria. For nine days, these jetlagged New Yorkers were bussed around Austria, Germany, and Switzerland on a trip that featured remnants of history from Medieval Europe to the Third Reich, famous sights such as the Swiss Alps, and unrivaled cuisine.

Almost immediately after leaving the Vienna airport, students were met with a literal hailstorm that made for an icy first impression of central Europe. “I thought it was really funny; the whole time I didn’t have an umbrella on me and was kind of laughing at it all,” said Apollo Aginsky ‘24.

Another shock for the students was how clean central Europe was, compared to Brooklyn. “It’s a lot cleaner there,” said Eric Ren ‘25. “It’s not as loud and smells a lot better, too.”

The students stayed in groups of 2-3 in the hotels, having chosen their roommates about a week before departure. “I got to room with somebody I already knew, so it was pretty fun,” said Aginsky.

During regular activities, students were required to stay in groups of four or more at all times. Mr. Peterson stressed that even in a place like central Europe, where many natives speak good English, the four-person rule is in place for worst-case scenarios — like if a student gets hurt. “It’s a safety thing, mainly,” he said. “If something happens to one of the students, then at least one student stays with them, and the other two go and find help. If you’re alone, you’re vulnerable.”

On trips like these, which are planned by Education First (EF), visitors are accompanied by a tour guide. This year’s guide, Ivana, was very popular.

“The trip was organized very well,” said Yahor Lobach ‘27. “Ivana and Mr. Peterson were great at participating, leading, and making the trip better for the students.”

Throughout the trip, students and teachers alike were in awe at the various castles and monarchal palaces the group visited, such as the Habsburg family residence.

Students were also able to walk up a mountain — much to the inconvenience of the class in front of them, who were receiving an artillery of snowballs — to Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle, which is said to have inspired the Disney logo, is located amidst the Swiss Alps, allowing for views you just can’t get upstate. “It was something that, growing up, I was fascinated with. I hope I can go inside someday,” said Mr. Peterson.

On Midwood’s trips with EF, which have included visits to Japan, England, and Greece, meals are usually split up: breakfast at the hotel, lunch at the city square or other urban area (where students are free to eat wherever they please), and dinner as a group at a city restaurant. For dinner, the students receive predetermined dishes as opposed to ordering themselves. But this wasn’t a problem, as the food was mostly well received.

“The food didn’t taste as much like chemicals as it does [in the U.S.],” said Anastasia Nenko ‘25.

“I always found something that was worth it [for lunch], and I enjoyed the dinners,” said Aginsky.

Between their major visits to Vienna, Munich (in Germany), and Lucerne (in Switzerland), the students had a clear favorite.

“Lucerne,” said Aginsky. “You can see the alps no matter where you look.”

“Seeing Switzerland was probably the best part,” said Ren. “If we just visited Switzerland alone, it would’ve been worth it.”

“I really liked the geography of Lucerne,” said Lobach. “We went on snowy mountains and sunny plains. The food was the best there, too. That’s where I bought my souvenirs, like Swiss chocolate.”

The trip, which lasted nine days, cost students about $4,000, not including student spending.

“It’s always worth it. I genuinely can’t put into words how much this trip influenced me,” said Ren, who went on the London-Paris trip as well but says this one was his clear favorite.

“I think it was worth the cost,” said Nenko. “If I wasn’t a senior, I’d definitely do it again.”

This was Mr. Peterson’s first time leading a trip with EF, and he and his crew are set for Greece around this time next year. If you have questions about that upcoming adventure, you can inquire in room 119.