King students and chaperones Tom Castonguay, Karen Raidt, and Dr. Peter Yu are enjoying medieval villages, picturesque landscapes, and awe-inspiring scientific wonders in Switzerland and France during one of this year's study abroad opportunities.

The group savored delightful crêpes in the quaint streets of Yvoire, France, on Wednesday, June 14, before visiting St. Peter's Cathedral and the Reformation Wall. Along the way, they took a scenic boat ride on Lake Geneva and enjoyed breathtaking views of the Alps.

From Geneva, they caught the Chocolate Train to the medieval town of Gruyères, savoring hot chocolate and croissants along the route. Famed for its cheeses, the students tasted the local fare during a tour at La Maison du Gruyère, where they learned the art of cheesemaking. The sweet and savory experience culminated at the chocolate factory of Nestlé Cailler in Broc, where they sampled a variety of mouthwatering chocolates.

Building on their classroom studies, students had a virtual talk with particle physics expert Dr. Sonia Natale on Friday, June 16, which pivoted the trip’s focus to high-energy science. In addition to reviewing the physics related to the important work at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Dr. Natale shared her personal and inspirational journey.

The group explored landmark achievements in particle science at the Universe of Particles exhibition in The Globe. In a fortuitous turn of events, the group gained exclusive access to the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector, which serves as one of the detectors of the Large Hadron Collider. Visiting the CMS allowed students to witness first-hand the powerful tools used to advance knowledge of nature at the most fundamental level.

Students met with their homestay families in Manosque, France, over the weekend and enjoyed a peaceful day together by Lac d'Esparron on Sunday, June 18. The journey has been an incredible fusion of history, science, and cherished moments.