Title: Taking a Solo Trip While Studying Abroad: My Experience in Switzerland

Bennie Chang (SFS’26) is a Georgetown Storyteller from San Jose, California, and studies regional studies, international business diplomacy and art.

Travel has always been a big part of my life. My mom loves exploring new places, and because of that, I spent my childhood experiencing all kinds of adventures — hiking through national parks, feasting on snacks in Taiwanese night markets and marveling at modern wonders like the Colosseum and Chichén Itzá. My trips never felt like just a vacation: they were ways to experience the world. That curiosity stuck with me, and studying abroad felt like the perfect way to keep exploring — not just living in a new country but using it as a starting point to see even more. Now, in Florence, I get to do exactly that.

Florence has been magical with its stunning architecture, delicious food and world-renowned museums. I am studying at Villa Le Balze with other Georgetown students, commuting daily from the city to our hillside villa in Fiesole, which overlooks Florence.

While I love exploring Florence during the week, one of the best parts of studying abroad is weekend travel. With the Schengen Zone making it easy to hop between European countries and a class schedule that gives me three-day weekends, exploring new places has become second nature. While I usually travel with friends, I want to share a particularly special experience — my first solo trip to Switzerland.

A Solo Trip to Switzerland

I have always traveled with family or friends, finding comfort in shared experiences. However, one of my goals for studying abroad was to push myself outside my comfort zone, and a solo trip felt like the perfect challenge.

Traveling in Europe can be spontaneous — many trips are planned just days in advance. But for my first solo adventure, I planned ahead — a whole week and a half beforehand! Switzerland was not originally on my must-visit list, but I had heard about its beauty. With a free weekend coming up, I decided to go for it. Wanting a quiet, nature-filled experience, I chose Lauterbrunnen Valley and stayed in the small towns of Mürren and Gimmelwald, perched over 1,000 meters in elevation. They came highly recommended by Rick Steves, my favorite travel guide.

Arriving in the Alps

I landed in Zürich and took a train to Mürren. Switzerland, home to some of the world’s most precise watchmakers, runs its transportation just as smoothly — every train and bus was perfectly timed. In less than three hours, I was eating lunch and playing in the snow in the middle of the Alps.

I spent my first day wandering the town and visiting the even smaller village of Gimmelwald, surrounded by majestic mountains and crisp Alpine air. Gimmelwald was unlike any town I have visited. With roughly 100 residents, the quiet town was populated with more curious sheep and free-roaming ducks than humans. The community was so close-knit that locals sold homemade cheese and sausage on a self-serve, honor-pay system. That evening, I had an unforgettable experience reaching my hostel — hiking 30 minutes along a snowy, sometimes icy path, guided only by moonlight. Finally arriving at my warm hostel felt like a victory.

Exploring the Peaks

The next day, I took a cable lift up to Birg and walked a tightrope suspended over a breathtaking drop. After soaking in views of the peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch, I descended into Lauterbrunnen Valley. I spent hours walking along the valley floor, snacking on local cheese and drinking icy water straight from mountain streams.

I ended the day in Wengen, watching skiers glide down the slopes while I read in the crisp afternoon air. That night, I had a cozy dinner at the only restaurant in Gimmelwald, which serves just enough food for those who book in advance.

A Short Stop in Zürich

Before heading back to Florence, I spent a few hours walking around Zürich, soaking in the last bit of Switzerland before my flight home.

Reflections on Going Solo

Switzerland was incredible. The winter Alps felt like a wonderland, and the quiet calm of the mountains was the perfect reset before another busy week. This solo trip pushed me beyond my comfort zone, forcing me to rely on my own instincts and embrace solitude in a way I never had before. 

While I loved the freedom and self-discovery that came with traveling alone, I realized that what makes travel most meaningful to me is sharing experiences with others. I now appreciate even more the joy of swapping stories, laughing over meals and creating lasting memories with friends and family. Still, this journey will always hold a special place in my heart — it was a reminder that I am capable of navigating the unknown, finding beauty in solitude and embracing adventure on my own terms.