5/24 Swiss Alps Trek and Medieval Exploration

 Early Saturday morning, we boarded a train to Montreux for a day of hiking in the Swiss Alps—something I had been looking forward to since the beginning of the trip. Back home in Seattle, hiking is a huge part of my life. I spend most of my summers trying to cross off as many trails and summits as I can, so getting the chance to explore a new mountain range in another country felt like a dream come true.

After a scenic train ride through Switzerland’s wine country, with rows of vineyards stretching along the hillsides, we transferred to a smaller mountain train that began our gradual climb upward. We arrived at a charming farmer’s market tucked into the mountains. There were stalls full of fresh empanadas, local wine tastings, handcrafted jewelry, and artisanal goods. It was a lively and colorful place, and the perfect way to start the morning.

From there, we took a short but steep tram ride to the trailhead and began our ascent into the Alps. The hike reminded me a lot of home—tall pine trees lined the path, and we passed fields bursting with wildflowers. The air felt crisp and fresh, and the views grew more expansive with every step. After about 30 minutes, we reached the summit. The view was absolutely breathtaking: Lake Geneva shimmered below us, stretching farther than the eye could see, with the town of Montreux nestled along its edge. We could spot football fields, terracotta rooftops, brightly colored homes, and distant villages dotted along the mountain slopes. It felt surreal.

After soaking it in—and taking lots of photos—we began our descent. While technically going “down,” the trail zigzagged in steep switchbacks and rolling hills, alternating between climbs and drops. At one point, we passed a field of cows that, according to Bella, are considered the happiest cows in the world (and I believe it). About an hour later, we reached the bottom and returned to the lakeside, where we rewarded ourselves with fresh pizza, salad, and gelato.

Next, we headed to Château de Chillon—a site I knew little about before arriving but quickly became one of my favorite experiences of the trip. Perched on a rocky outcrop over Lake Geneva, the castle is one of Switzerland’s most visited historic landmarks. We explored its dungeons, banquet halls, bed chambers, and towering lookouts. The entire structure was both massive and majestic, with huge windows overlooking the lake and courtyards that seemed frozen in time. We wandered every corner, listening to guides explain what life would have been like there centuries ago. It was both haunting and awe-inspiring.

Back at the hotel that evening, I squeezed in my summer fitness packet before rejoining classmates for a light dinner. Though today was more about sightseeing than the Olympics, it sparked some interesting thoughts. One key element of both the Ancient and Modern Olympic movements is the idea of the Olympic Truce—using sport as a vehicle for peace, unity, and diplomacy. At Château de Chillon, we learned about the region’s history of conflict, invasions, and violent defense tactics. It made me wonder: could Olympic-style events have brought about a different kind of communication in medieval times? Could sport have been a unifier, even in this small mountain region?

We often think of the Olympics as a global event tied to major cities, but this experience reminded me how powerful sport can be, even in smaller communities. The way the modern Games promote tourism, culture, and peace makes me wonder what their influence might have looked like back then. One thing I do know: if Switzerland ever wanted to add hiking to the Olympic events, the Swiss Alps would be the ultimate venue—because that was no easy feat!

5/24 - Les Avants Day trip

    To start the day the group and I got on a train and headed to Les Avants to take part in a hiking excursion on the Narcissist trail. The main attraction on the trail is the infamous narcissist flower which is a white flower that resembles a daffodil. During our time on the trail, we had a great time taking in the views and experiencing what it was like to hike in an area adjacent to the Swiss Alps. But before we went on our hike we spent time in a farmers market where we could experience some authentic Swiss culture. Vendors at the market sold objects like wooden planks that had engraved logos or sports teams on them. Other vendors were either selling food or little souvenirs that we could buy and take home with us. After we went on the trail, which lasted about 2 hours, we took the train to Montreux where we indulged in a waterside lunch where all of us got different types of Italian food. Most of us got either pasta or pizza. 

    After that, everyone in the group got ice cream except for me and because I didn't get it we got a refund for paying for 9 ice creams and we only got 8. I got to keep the change. After our waterside lunch, we took a self-guided tour of the famous Castle Chillon which is the most visited historical site in Switzerland. During our self-guided tour, we took a suggested path around the entire castle. We had the most fun in the catacombs of the castle where we took part in learning about the history of what makes the castle special. Inside the castle, they had people selling different foods that would have been popular during the time the castle was in use. None of us got anything but the crepes looked decent. We spent around an hour and a half at the castle for our tour which was a reasonable amount of time as we had been up since 8 am to make sure that we got to the hiking trail with good weather. In my opinion, I enjoyed the Tower of London tour more than the Castle Chillon tour mostly because we had a funny tour guide who had a lot of knowledge of the historical events that took place at the castle. Compare that to Castle Chillon where we read of posted placards which is less than ideal when trying to have an enjoyable time at a historical site. After that, the group and I went on our separate ways for dinner before meeting up later that night. 

May 23rd: FISU, World Taekwondo, and KSOC

We had an early morning wake-up to get dressed and ready for business casual day, as we had a full schedule of meetings with multiple international sports organizations. After getting prepared, we hopped on the subway and made our way to the Université de Lausanne, where we met with the International University Sports Federation (FISU). FISU is essentially the international counterpart to the NCAA in the U.S., overseeing university-level sports on a global scale. One of the most fascinating things we learned about FISU is that they organize Olympic-style games for university students every two years—both summer and winter editions. The most recent FISU Winter Games were held in Lake Placid in 2023, and we found out that the 2027 Summer Games will be hosted across various colleges in North Carolina, which was especially exciting to hear for us. While we were at FISU, we also had the chance to explore a small museum-style exhibit they had on-site. It featured a range of artifacts from past FISU games. Browsing through the exhibits was a fun and engaging way to learn more about the history of international university sports. One of the highlights was seeing some of the original torches used in previous games, which gave us a real sense of tradition and prestige behind these events. Talking with representatives from FISU was eye-opening, especially since many of us had never heard of the organization before this trip. Hearing firsthand about their mission, programs, and upcoming events made us appreciate the global scope of college athletics.

After our meeting, we had lunch at the university’s cafeteria—and to everyone’s surprise, it turned out to be some of the best dining hall food any of us had ever had. The variety was incredible, and we got to try several different cuisines, which made it feel more like a food hall than a typical cafeteria. With full stomachs, we took a relaxing stroll along Lake Geneva, enjoying the stunning views and fresh air before heading to our next stop: the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters. Of course, we had to stop for a quick group photo in front of the iconic Olympic rings!

Next, we visited the Maison du Sport International, a hub that houses numerous international sports federations. Our first meeting there was with World Taekwondo. They welcomed us warmly into their office and led a fascinating discussion on both the history of Taekwondo and their humanitarian initiatives, including programs in Middle Eastern refugee camps. They even treated us to a generous selection of Swiss chocolates and snacks, and handed out magazines and other take-home materials, which was a fun bonus.

Our final visit of the day was with the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC), which maintains a satellite office in Switzerland to stay closely connected with the IOC. During our meeting, we had a thoughtful conversation with one of Dr. Kim’s former colleague and another member, covering a wide range of topics including the financial structure of their organization, cultural considerations, event management strategies, and efforts toward gender parity in sports.

After an inspiring day of meetings, we headed back to the hotel, did some laundry at a local laundromat, and then regrouped for dinner. We ended the night with a delicious meal at a Thai restaurant in town. For some people in the group, it was their first time trying Thai food, and the Pad Thai was an instant favorite. We took a leisurely walk back to the hotel, laughing and chatting the whole way, enjoying the atmosphere and checking out local neighborhood spots along the way. It was the perfect way to close out an incredibly enriching and enjoyable day.

5/23: FISU, IOC, World Taekwondo, and KSOC

Today marked our first full day in Lausanne. We started the day with a little bit of breakfast from the hotels restaurant before heading over to our first site. Our first stop was the FISU, or the international federation of sport university. We got here by taking the metro, and then walked through the universities campus. It was interesting to see this campus built in what looked like the middle of the woods. When we got there, we met up with a few FISU personnel and headed into our session. We got some history on what fisu was, and how they have helped develop many college athletes and prepare them for the olympic levels. FISU is a federation founded in 1948 that helps grow student athletes from the ages of 17-25 years old.  FISU holds summer and winter games every two years for their athletes, and it consists of the same aspects that would be seen during an olympic game. It was very interesting hearing about how facts about hosting games and how FISU governs their organization. 

    After we met with the organization, a member of the fisu led us to lunch in the universities cafeteria. It was amazing food. After lunch, we took a quick walk towards lake Geneva, which was a beautiful site. We walked through the park and got to admire the beautiful scenery as we headed up the road to the buildings. 

    On the way, we walked passed the IOC, which is the main organization for the Olympic games. Then we got to the building where we meet with people from the World Taekwondo. We met with two members and we had a conversation about the history of the organization, the sport today, and a bit about the impact taekwondo has on refugees. It was mentioned the importance of the Olympics for taekwondo, since it is not a big enough sport to get many viewers daily. We also talked about mechanics in the sports, and also watched videos and discussed the impact the organization had on a refugee camp in Jordan. The videos showed the importance the sport and especially the olympics has on many different parts of the world, and how it can help bring communities together. 

    After this, we got some snacks and then headed over to the Korean Olympic Committee. This part of the trip was very interesting and we had a bunch dialogue between the two memberts of the commitee. It was interesting to listen and hear a bit about the culture and how the olympics is run for the Korean nation. We learned about what goes into the government side, planning, athlete care, and how the olympics relates to Korean government. 

After this, we took a bus back to the hotel where we relaxed until dinner. Some of us got some Thai food, which it was a first for me. It was a very delicious dinner and I enjoyed this day very much.

5/22 Odyssey to Lausanne

Our time in Paris was short but incredibly memorable, and soon we were off to our next stop: Lausanne. Kami and I woke up early to squeeze in one last run to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. This was hands-down one of my favorite routes of the trip. The climb to the top was intense—steep, winding, and a real challenge—but the reward was absolutely worth it. The basilica itself is stunning, and the panoramic view from the top is breathtaking. You can see nearly all of Paris laid out before you, a final reminder of how magical the city is!

After our run, we headed back to pack, but not without making one final stop at a neighborhood café for coffee and crepes. It felt like the perfect way to say goodbye to Paris. One thing that really stood out to me about the city—and that I think would make it such an exceptional Olympic host from an athlete experience perspective—is the accessibility and culture. There’s a café on almost every corner, and while I’m sure athletes would mostly stay within the Olympic Village for security reasons, just having that kind of environment nearby must feel liberating. Being able to try local favorites, take short walks through vibrant neighborhoods, and feel immersed in the host culture would offer a refreshing break from the intense bubble of competition.

The journey to Lausanne was a smooth and peaceful 3-4 hour train ride. The scenery shifted gradually from sunny stretches of French countryside to more mountainous, misty terrain as we crossed into Switzerland. Although I would love to describe every detail, I took the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep—a necessary recovery after our busy days in Paris!

Once we arrived in Lausanne, we were greeted warmly by our WorldStrides host and settled into our hotel. Kami and I, staying true to our fitness mindset, hit the gym for a lift session before dinner. It felt good to reset and get back into a training rhythm—even if just for a short time. Afterward, we were treated to a traditional Swiss dinner: fondue! I had never tried fondue before and was excited (and a little nervous) to try it in its birthplace. We had the classic Gruyère half-and-half fondue, and also sampled a few others around the table, like truffle and goat cheese. Fun fact: if you drop your bread into the pot, you owe the table a drink!

Dinner was followed by a walk through the city. Compared to Paris or London, Lausanne felt smaller, quieter, and far less English-speaking. While London felt very British and Paris uniquely Parisian, Lausanne struck me as more of a cultural blend—almost like a melting pot of languages, backgrounds, and international influence. At dinner, we even needed help from a French speaker to make our reservation!

What I already love about Lausanne is how deeply connected it is to the Olympic movement. In just one day, we passed over 25 different signs, flags, statues, and sport federation buildings tied to the Games. It’s clear that this city lives and breathes the Olympic spirit, and it was inspiring to witness how that energy is woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Thursday 5/22- From Paris to Lausanne

 

After spending some unforgettable days in Paris, it was time to say "au revoir" (see what I did there) and move on to the next leg of our journey—Lausanne, Switzerland. The city swap came with its own set of adventures, and let me just say this day couldn't be any calmer. 

We caught a train early in the day, and the ride itself was surprisingly peaceful. Three hours and some change of smooth, scenic travel through the countryside allowed me to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Honestly, the gentle sway of the train and the quiet hum of the ride made it the perfect setup for a mid-morning nap. I woke up just in time to see the Swiss landscape come into view: lush hills, charming little houses, and everything looking like it came straight out of a postcard.

But that peace didn’t last long.

As soon as we got off the train, we were met with the reality of Swiss terrain: hills. Steep ones. Now, the plan was to wait for the bus to take us up to our hotel. But in a twist of collective chaos (or maybe delusion), the group decided we’d walk. With suitcases. Uphill. During the day's peak temperature. I don’t even know how we got to that decision, but there we were, trooping like we were on a mission from Lord knows what. To be fair, it was a great exercise, and the fresh air on the way up was kind of needed… but my calves were definitely screaming.

Once we finally made it to the hotel and had a chance to freshen up, we headed back out to grab some dinner. Our spot for the night? A cozy little restaurant known for its authentic Swiss fondue. I was actually excited because it was my first time trying fondue, and I’d heard so much about it. Everyone was hyping it up, so I figured, why not?

Well… y’all. Let me tell you. One bite and I was fighting for my life. The cheese was SO strong. It was truffle-flavored, which I know some people love, but for me? It was doing way too much. I tried to power through it, but I gagged. I really did. I don’t know if it was the texture, the smell, or just the sheer cheesiness of it all, but that fondue was not my friend.

Luckily, I had the good sense to order a carbonara pasta on the side. That pasta? Came through and saved the day. Creamy, flavorful, and easy on the stomach. Basically, everything that the fondue was not. Shout-out to the chef for that lifeline.

After dinner, we wandered a bit and got to soak in some gorgeous views of Lausanne. The city is perched on a hillside overlooking Lake Geneva, and at sunset, it’s just… wow. The walk back to the hotel wasn’t bad either (probably because we weren’t dragging suitcases this time), and everything felt peaceful again.

All in all, it was a day full of highs and lows, literally and figuratively, but it’s moments like these that make traveling so memorable. Paris gave us glamour, Lausanne gave us hills and cheese-induced trauma. And somehow, I loved both.

5/21 - INSEP/Sightseeing

After a busy day of sightseeing in Paris on Tuesday, the group looked forward to a more laid-back day on Wednesday. We left the hotel at 8 am for the French National Team’s training center on the outskirts of Paris, called INSEP, which stands for National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance. INSEP was created in the 1970s after an embarrassing French performance at the Rome Olympics. The government wanted to see success, so they built a state-of-the-art complex for their athletes to train, compete, and improve. 

After multiple trains and a bus, we reached INSEP. When we got there, we were met by two people: Simon Ravello, who works in international relations, and Jean Minier, the Director of Sports for the French Paralympic Team. Jean talked to us about the current state of Paralympic athletes and teams in France and worldwide. We learned much about the French National Olympic Committee's struggles to increase Paralympic participation. France is trying to increase sports participation, as it has been a real problem. Only ⅓ of the population participates in sport, and it is even more of a struggle to get Paralympic athletes to participate. Jean explained to us that there is a whole process that sports clubs have to go through to become certified to train Paralympic athletes, and even then, there are not a ton of athletes willing to participate. France hopes hosting last summer’s Olympics will boost participation in Paralympic and Olympic sports. After his talk, we asked him some questions. One of the main themes of our questions was marketing/communications. We were wondering how the French Olympic Committee markets the Paralympic athletes. Jean said it is difficult for the committee to sell the athletes, especially with the IOC revenue regulations. He said it is an issue they are trying to figure out, as it is crucial for future success. 

After this excellent talk, Simon led us on a tour of the facilities, where we saw multiple teams training, including a refugee team member who won a bronze medal in the Paralympic taekwondo event. Her story was truly inspiring. The facilities at INSEP were top-notch and showed that France is an Olympic and athletic success. Every resource that you can imagine is at the fingertips of each athlete. France is trying to use every tool possible to ensure Olympic success.

The afternoon was filled with more sightseeing. We started at The Louvre, where we learned about the museum's history and how it used to be a compound of the royal family. With each new king, a new wing was added to the compound. Fun fact: the famous pyramid was built in 1989 for the 200th anniversary of Bastille Day in France. The Louvre was very interesting, and the art was beautiful, but my favorite part of the day was when I went to Notre Dame. The architecture was stunning and one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. This was a great end to a busy but fun day in Paris!