Every journey is thoughtfully curated to immerse our students in extraordinary destinations — where classroom concepts become living experiences. From the moment you book to the day you return home, every detail is carefully handled by the STEM Abroad team so your family can simply show up, explore, and grow.

March 2027, STEM Abroad will take 150 students, families, and NSBE Alumni to Switzerland — a country where engineering, innovation, and natural wonder exist side by side. Across five unforgettable days, travelers will explore hands-on science centers, engineer-designed alpine railways, glacial rivers, and centuries-old villages, discovering how STEM shapes the world we live in — and how it can shape their futures.

This is more than a trip abroad. It's a chance for our scholars to stand where innovation happens, ask bigger questions, and come home changed.

Program Dates: March 26 – April 2, 2027

Departure: Richmond International (RIC) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Destination: Zurich, Interlaken, Schaffhausen, Lucerne & optional Basel or Geneva, Switzerland

Who Should Join: NVA STEM student members (grades K–12), their families/chaperones, NSBE/ Alumni

This program includes full and half-day excursions with regular walking, some cobblestone and uneven terrain (Stein am Rhein, Bern-area towns), cable car and mountain railway transitions (Mt. Pilatus), and consistent group movement between sites. No technical hiking or extreme physical exertion is required, but travelers should be comfortable walking for extended periods and standing for tours and transit.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all travelers to help protect against trip interruption, medical emergencies abroad, and unforeseen cancellations. STEM Abroad does not include travel insurance in the program cost.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays in Switzerland under 90 days

• Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date (April 1, 2027 or later, pending final return date)

• Non-U.S. citizen travelers or green card holders should confirm entry requirements individually, as rules vary by nationality

• All parents traveling with minors traveling internationally should carry required consent documentation as applicable

Switzerland does not currently require any specific vaccinations for entry from the United States. STEM Abroad recommends all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations (e.g., MMR, Tdap, influenza) per CDC guidance. Families with specific health considerations should consult their physician ahead of travel.

U.S. regulations allow you 24 hours to cancel your booking for a full refund. Should you need to cancel for any reason after 24 hours from booking, all payments will be final, non-refundable, and non-transferable. No credits will be issued per the nature of this trip. It is advised that you purchase travel insurance immediately after booking to protect you in case of any unforeseen cancellation or accident. Additionally, you are solely responsible for securing your international flights; failure to do so and waiting until the last minute usually results in higher fares for which STEM Abroad LLC isn't liable, and any cancellation as a result will not result in any credits or refunds.  

STEM Abroad LLC reserves the right to cancel or postpone a trip due to extenuating circumstances.    

Travelers depart from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), bound for Switzerland.

Arrival in Switzerland and a day of leisure to settle in, rest, and get acquainted with our host city ahead of an exciting week of exploration. The day closes with an evening Meet & Greet at our host hotel, where students, families, and chaperones will come together to kick off the NVA STEM Abroad experience.

Morning: Technorama Center Our journey begins at Switzerland's premier hands-on science center. Students will explore interactive exhibits in physics, chemistry, and natural phenomena — turning curiosity into discovery through experimentation designed for every age.

Lunch Break

Afternoon: Lindt Home of Chocolate A sweeter side of Swiss engineering and process design. Travelers will tour the world's largest chocolate museum, learning the science, history, and craftsmanship behind one of Switzerland's most iconic exports.

Guided Tour: Grindelwald, Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen A full day immersed in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Students will explore dramatic glacial valleys, iconic waterfalls, and alpine villages shaped by geology and generations of engineering ingenuity — from mountain railways to avalanche protection systems built into the landscape itself.

Rhine Falls & the Medieval Village of Stein am Rhein Travelers will witness the raw power of Europe's largest waterfall before stepping back in time through the perfectly preserved medieval streets of Stein am Rhein — connecting natural science with centuries of European history and architecture.

A free day to explore Basel, the point where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet — blending rich cultural heritage, scientific institutions, and a uniquely international spirit found nowhere else in the country.

For travelers who'd like to venture further, an optional excursion to Geneva offers a rare look at science and diplomacy on the world stage. Visit CERN, the birthplace of particle physics and home to the Large Hadron Collider, followed by a stop at the United Nations Office at Geneva — giving students a firsthand look at how global collaboration drives both scientific discovery and international policy.

Mt. Pilatus Golden Round Trip: A full day exploring one of engineering's great alpine achievements. Students will ride the world's steepest cogwheel railway, cross by aerial cableway, and take in panoramic views of the Swiss Alps — a living lesson in mechanical and civil engineering set against breathtaking scenery.