12 Ways to Swiss Bliss By Thomas Meagher Management Information Systems ‘15, Switzerland
magine the greenest greens and the bluest blues you have ever seen. That is what I saw. Traveling at thirty thousand feet in the air, I saw Switzerland. The Alps framed the rolling green countryside as my flight descended down into the Swiss city. Grazing bovine and petite farmhouses spread peacefully across the hills, inviting visitors to explore their fields and crags. Taking in the snow-capped Alps, these vignettes were soon exchanged for the dark blues of the lake and the metropolitan bustle of Zurich. Hypnotized by what I saw outside, I did not even notice the bing of the fasten seatbelt sign. My senses were focused outside, on the brilliant blue sky I was just in. My eyes were sated, but I had to feel it all. I needed to feel it all, needed to breathe the alpine air and feel the lush grass between my toes. I had to get off the plane. Almost regrettably, I gathered my carry-on baggage and walked off Swiss Air flight 143. Then, I spent the next two hours sitting at Gate A, peering out the window. My final destination of that flight did not include green hills, blue skies, or even 85% dark chocolate from downtown Zurich. I was on my way home. Home to life in suburban Massachusetts. I could not even say I had been to Switzerland because airports do not count – it was just a layover on another European trip. But as I boarded my flight, I absconded one last glimpse outside and I told my mom that I would be back, joking that I would complete one of my WPI projects there. Almost a year later, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the first WPI 19
unpacked * Fall 2013
Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) team that ventured to Switzerland for seven weeks. While seven weeks seems like a lot of time, it is not, especially while you are working on a project. I will definitely be going back to explore everything I missed my first time. Renowned for its various chocolates and cheeses, Switzerland has much more to offer than most European countries. Its rich cultural heritage allows visitors to experience the neighboring countries, with a Swiss twist of course, without ever departing the borders of the alpine nation. In order to achieve your own
ABOVE: Thomas in Switzerland