From Mountains to New Horizons: 2025 Cultural Learning and Experience Trips

Life at Aiglon is buzzing with opportunities for students. From Junior School to Senior School we redefine the traditional school experience. Our classroom extends beyond our campus buildings to embrace the mountain, sports pitch and new horizons – offering a dynamic and varied learning environment. During the Autumn term, one of the highlights is the Cultural Learning Experience Trips (CLEs) and Experience Trips. 

These excursions across different regional locations aim to challenge students through exciting adventures, foster mutual respect, and cultivate a sense of responsibility. The comprehensive programme offers academic, cultural, ecological, and adventurous experiences throughout the year.

Cultural Learning Experience Trips and Experience Trips: What’s the difference?

At Aiglon, we believe that education extends far beyond the walls of the classroom. For decades, our CLEs have been a defining part of our curriculum, offering students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the languages, histories and artistic traditions of Europe. Each October, students from Year 3 to Year 13 embark on three to four day journeys across Switzerland and beyond, engaging deeply with the cultural fabric of the regions they visit.

CLE’s sit at the heart of Aiglon’s ethos. These journeys empower our students to think globally, communicate confidently in multiple languages, and develop an informed appreciation for the diversity of our world. Each destination becomes a stepping stone in their personal and academic growth, enriching their education with memories and lessons that last a lifetime.

On the other hand, Experience Trips are supplementary to the core curriculum. These trips usually take place over two weeks, sometimes including a few days of the half-term break. Occasionally students may opt for one of these trips instead of a core excursion such a CLE.

CLE’s for the Junior School: Discovering Local Heritage

From 14-16 October, our youngest students began their cultural journey close to home, exploring Switzerland’s natural and cultural landmarks:

• Years 3–4: Day trips in the vicinity to our campus, which included a visit to the aquarium in Lausanne, a journey via boat to Evian, and exploring Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets: opportunities to introduce students to biodiversity, geography and local heritage.
• Years 5–6: Visits to the Fort of Chillon, a super-forteresse hidden on the opposite side of Chillon Castle and a day in Geneva visiting the United Nations, Saint Pierre Cathedral, a visit to the Geneva Green Village and XLabs run by local university students that provided a hands-on experience to ‘electricity’ in preparation for their next science topic. This was an opportunity to learn about the region’s heritage, French-speaking traditions and innovative hubs. 
• Year 7: In Neuchâtel, students explored the Laténium Archaeology Museum and the Asphalt Mines of Val-de-Travers, uncovering Switzerland’s prehistoric and industrial past.
• Year 8: A cultural tour of Lucerne included a chocolate-making class, the Chapel Bridge, Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, and the Lion Monument.

CLE’s for the Senior School: Deepening Cultural Understanding and Language-Based Destinations

Between the 14-16 October, the senior school students headed out across Europe. At this stage, CLE destinations are aligned with students’ language studies, reinforcing linguistic skills through real-world experience. For the Year 12 students, these trips are not just excursions—they are a key experiential component of the IB curriculum, deeply connected to Theory of Knowledge (TOK) by providing real-world contexts through which students critically explore how knowledge is constructed, interpreted, and valued across cultures.

• Year 9: In Lugano, students experience Switzerland’s Italian-speaking region through visits to Swissminiatur and Monte Generoso.
• Year 10: Besançon and Strasbourg, including a visit to the Besançon Citadel, Museum Of Times history museum, European Parliament and Strasbourg Cathedral.
• Year 11: Stuttgart and Munich, where students enjoyed a cooking class, explored the Mercedes-Benz Museum and visited renowned art collections such as the Alte Pinakothek.
• Year 11: Explored the historic Ambras Castle, celebrated as the world’s first museum and visited the Bergisel Olympic Ski Jump, where students had the thrilling opportunity to watch live jumps
• Year 12: Students traveled to Milan, Turin and Florence, with activities such as a guided boat trip on Lake Como, pasta-making, art appreciation at the Pinacoteca di Brera, exploring the Piazza del Duomo, visiting the Cathedral of Turin, and discovering Renaissance masterpieces including Michelangelo’s David.
• Building on their previous experiences with tailored programmes that prepared them for university and life beyond Aiglon, Year 13 students had the opportunity to explore further European capitals such as Lisbon. They engaged in a tile painting workshop, visited the earthquake centre, and learned how to make the iconic pastel de nata at the Compadre Cooking School. Another group traveled to Amsterdam for cultural and artistic immersion. 

Experience Trips

Our Experience Trips, held during the autumn half-term, are a cornerstone of our educational philosophy—bringing to life our Guiding Principles of challenge, respect, responsibility, diversity, and service. This Autumn, students from Year 10-13 elected to embark on transformative journeys to Borneo, China, India, Manchester, Mexico, and Thailand —gaining invaluable insights that shape their global awareness, character, and compassion.

• Borneo: Survival Skills and Wildlife Conservation: Students in Years 10, 12, and 13 ventured into the Borneo rainforest, where they developed vital survival skills and engaged in cultural learning through a Rungus Cookery Class, discovering the traditions of the indigenous Rungus people. The trip culminated in a three-day stay at the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where students participated in animal care and habitat preservation efforts—an unforgettable opportunity to engage directly with in-situ conservation.
• China: A Journey Through Time and Culture: A group of Year 10–13 students travelled across China, exploring ancient cities, world-renowned historical sites, and engaging in hands-on conservation work. They visited the ancient city of Jiaohe in Turpan, explored Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, and cycled through historic quarters. A highlight was their service project at the Giant Panda Conservation Centre in Chengdu, where students supported daily care routines and learned about endangered species protection. This experience deepened their understanding of cultural heritage and ecological responsibility.
• India: Cultural Exchange Through Education:In India, Aiglon partnered with the Kamala Rani Sanghi School for an impactful cultural and educational exchange for Year 11–13 students. They led storytelling sessions for younger students and taught classes for Years 7–9, sharing ideas and building connections through dialogue and learning. The students also explored India’s iconic Warli art, a cooking class to learn about Indian flavours, and enjoyed a serene pilgrimage walk to the iconic Sanghi Temple, where they created vibrant flower mandalas, participated in a guided meditation.  

The group also learned and performed traditional Garba dance - Aiglon students danced with their peers, and our teachers also danced with the teachers from our host school.  The group visited a factory to learn about modern India’s productivity and celebrated Diwali. A central aspect of the trip was developing and strengthening our connections with Aiglon’s global community. We are grateful to the families of Kabir (Year 13, Alpina) and Nia (Year 11, Clairmont) for their time and care in sharing their culture with us.

This experience highlighted the value of diversity, empathy, and global citizenship, allowing Aiglon students to lead with kindness and responsibility.

• Mexico: Service, Community, and Cultural Exchange: Year 12–13 students completed a two-week service trip in Mérida, Mexico. Working alongside a local foundation, they helped renovate a Molino—soon to be used as a community tortilla-making facility. This meaningful project was entirely student-led and funded through their own fundraising initiatives. Through collaboration, cultural immersion and hands-on work, students saw the impact young people can have when they engage with communities in a spirit of partnership and respect.
• Thailand: Adventure Meets Environmental Stewardship: For our Year 7–9 students, Thailand offered a rich blend of environmental learning and cultural exploration. From participating in coral conservation workshops and identifying native marine life, to scuba diving, kayaking, and cooking traditional Thai dishes, students embraced every challenge. The trip fostered teamwork, resilience, and a deeper appreciation of ecological balance and local traditions.

IGCSE PE Students Unlock New Levels of Learning with Manchester City Football Club

Five IGCSE Physical Education students returned from a 4-day action-packed experiential learning trip to Manchester, where their classroom extended from the football pitch to world-class sports science facilities. This unique opportunity, made possible through Aiglon’s partnership with Manchester City Football Club (MCFC), enabled students to deepen their understanding of performance sport through hands-on experiences, expert coaching, and exposure to cutting-edge health and sports technology.

Throughout the trip, they engaged in a series of immersive sessions designed to strengthen both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Highlights included:

• Hydrotherapy and recovery workshops at the Manchester Institute of Health & Performance (MIHP)
• Fitness and performance testing using the latest sport science technology
• On-pitch tactical and technical sessions delivered by Manchester City-certified coaches
• A visit to the National Football Museum to explore the cultural and historical impact of sport
• ‘Beautiful Football’ theory sessions linking classroom concepts to elite-level training strategies

MIHP provided students with access to modern diagnostic tools and innovative sports medicine—helping them understand how athletes maximise physical capabilities and prevent injuries.

Expert Coaching and Curriculum Development

Joe Maguire, Aiglon’s on-site MCFC Football School coach, expressed his excitement about the programme’s impact:

“We’re moving the curriculum forward on and off the pitch, focusing on nutrition, sport science, plyometrics, recovery, and applying first-team methodologies to our students. Some of this is classroom-based, honing in on football specifics and building a detailed curriculum to support student-athletes at every level.”

This approach ensures students are not only learning how to play the game—but how to think, recover, prepare, and lead like professionals.

Led by Coach Joe Maguire, Head of Physical Education & Sport James Dyson, Chloe Elphick, and Simon Hayen,  Head of Junior Physical Education, this trip exemplifies Aiglon’s commitment to redefining education through meaningful, real-world experiences.

Ski Camp: Indoor Ski Centre: Amneville

In parallel to the CLE and Experience trips 5 students from Years 9-12 participated in a ski training camp at the SnowWorld Indoor ski centre in Amneville, France. This four day indoor training venue allowed the team to concentrate exclusively on their Slalom performance. 

Each day began with morning preparation and warm-up before heading onto the slopes for two hours of Slalom training. These sessions combined a variety of drills and gate work designed to refine their technique and build confidence. After a well-earned lunch and a session of video analysis, the group returned to the snow for another focused two-hour training block. Days concluded with a mix of fun activities and ski preparation for the following morning.

Students progressed from fundamental drills to mastering effective corridor slalom runs, as well as exploring combinations and tempo variations. By the end of the week, everyone was confidently tackling full slalom courses and demonstrating noticeable improvement.

Evenings offered a balance of rest and recreation, with team sports, escape room challenges, and practical workshops on ski care and equipment maintenance.

As our students return to the mountains, they bring back more than refined skills—they return with renewed purpose, cultural awareness, and the motivation to reach their full potential.

 

AI Disclosure: First draft written by human, edits supported by AI. Quotes original.