Global Campus Personal Challenge: Training for the Swiss Alps

Students discuss their upcoming trip to Les Martinets in Switzerland

A testimonial from two DCIS students about training for their trip to the Swiss Alps

Two of the DCIS students going on the Global Campus Personal Challenge expedition to the Swiss Alps shared their first impressions of the training for their week long journey to Les Martinets. To follow their training and see additional photos, go to this link. We've created a Global Campus padlet which will track their progress, from all the preparations to the actual trip. 

Maylis (9D):

I was actually born in Zurich, which is where I learned to speak French. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the things from my childhood, although I don't remember much because we moved 12 years ago. I also can't wait for the actual adventure of climbing the Alps and seeing the snow will be nice too. I was only three years old when we left so I can't recall too much of Switzerland. 

I know the Alps are pretty high, much higher than any of the hills here in Singapore. We'll have less oxygen at that height so it's important for us to do our training now to be in shape in time for the trip. I've bought most of the gear that I need, but I still need to get a good scarf. I also need to get winter trousers. 

I know that Swiss food is amazing, from the chocolates to the cheeses. And the fondue is going to be incredible. Switzerland has such great dairy products because the cows and goats live a healthy life, feeding on grass up in the mountains. 

For our next training I'd like to something different from the stairs, like circuit training for example. But I'd like to go back to the stairs later on.

Tommy (9D)

I've never been to Switzerland in my life, so I'm looking forward to seeing a new country and I want to see the snow again. I've seen snow a few times in South Australia but I’m sure the Alps will be different. I know that Les Martinets are at an extremely high altitude and we'll probably get really puffy especially if we're trekking which is why we're doing the training sessions now. I've also got most of the gear necessary for the trip, like a down jacket and gloves. I've also got ski trousers as well, which are waterproof. 

For the next training session I'd like to run all the way up all the 40 flights of stairs. I know it will be hard but it will also be a great experience. We'll be varying our training every week and we'll be setting tougher goals as we get closer to our departure date.