Basel

Classroom Experience

RMHS students get a taste of Swiss school life during one shadowing day. Unlike in Reading, where students move from class to class, Swiss students generally stay in one classroom while the teachers rotate. The visiting Americans join their hosts for the day, which makes it easy to see the rhythm of Swiss classes and compare it to what they’re used to back home.

Possible Day Trips

Each exchange includes several excursions outside of Basel, though the exact destinations may change from year to year. Past trips have included…

Day in the City

Students also spend a day getting to know Basel itself. Activities have included visiting the state house (Basel’s government building), exploring the old town, and learning about the city’s history and culture. The day gives students a stronger sense of place and helps them feel connected to the community where they’ll be living for two weeks.

Lucerne

One of the highlights of past programs has been a day trip to Lucerne, a city that feels straight out of a postcard. Students explore the historic old town with its painted buildings and narrow streets, walk across the famous Chapel Bridge, and take in views of the surrounding mountains reflected in Lake Lucerne. It’s the perfect mix of sightseeing, history, and free time to wander or grab Swiss chocolate.

Mt. Titlis – Swiss Alps

A Switzerland must-see is a trip into the Alps. Students travel up Mt. Titlis by gondola, passing glaciers and snow-capped peaks even in spring. At the top, there’s a cliff walk suspension bridge, an ice cave carved into the glacier, and sweeping views that feel unreal. For many, this is the most jaw-dropping part of the trip — a chance to actually step into the scenery Switzerland is famous for.

Colmar, France

Thanks to Basel’s location on the border, students sometimes spend a day in Colmar, France. Known for its colorful half-timbered houses and canals, Colmar looks like something out of a storybook. Most of the day is free time, giving students the chance to explore the old town at their own pace, shop, grab lunch, or just take in the atmosphere of a French city.

St. Beatus Caves

Another favorite destination has been the St. Beatus caves. Students hike along a trail overlooking Lake Thun after entering a winding cave system filled with underground waterfalls, chambers, and rock formations. The caves also come with a local legend — that a dragon once lived inside — which makes the experience both educational and a little magical.

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