Sophie Streleoff recently traveled to Adelboden, Switzerland to represent Girl Guides of Canada at the Helen Storrow Seminar at Our Chalet. Sophie has been traveling from a young age throughout Canada, the United States and Cuba. This trip to Our Chalet was her first trip to Europe. This is the second of a four-part blog series about the joys of the various stages of traveling! Don’t forget to read Part I: Tips, Tricks and the Unexpected While Packing and Part II: Keep Calm and Travel On.
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Taking in the Experience

This past March, I was given the wonderful opportunity of representing Girl Guides of Canada – Guides du Canada at the Helen Storrow Seminar that took place at Our Chalet in Adelboden Switzerland. I really wanted to take the most of this experience that I could. So before I left, there were a few things I did to prepare myself to have the ultimate experience!

Switzerland: Sophie with Nicolette from Malta

First, I bought myself a journal and some cool coloured pens to take along with me so that I could keep a daily journal of what I was doing. I found at the end of each day and sometimes throughout the day, I would jot down things I did, people I met, new things I learnt and sometimes even what I ate. (I am a HUGE cheese and chocolate lover!) Not only did this help me unwind and reflect at the end of a busy day, it also  helps me look back at things I did while I was there and in some cases remember some things I learnt or did that I want to try now that I’m back home. I highly recommend keeping a daily journal when your days are so jammed packed and exciting!

Second, I bought an information book about Switzerland so that I could familiarize myself with the culture. Leading up to my departure, I read this book many times and always found an interesting fact or site I wanted to see. However, reading a book doesn’t give you the same experience of a culture as actually experiencing it firsthand! Throughout the duration of my trip, I kept telling myself that I will try new things no matter what. And this I did – I even tried blue cheese!

In any situation it is best not to be negative and accept what is given to you. This was my  motto throughout my trip, and there were some stressful situations, but they now make some pretty good stories.

So before you leave on your next adventure, get yourself a journal, experience the culture through a book and then in real life and of course stay positive. You never know what may be around the next corner, on the next train or up on top of a mountain. So enjoy your journey and make the best of your experience.

Blogger/Guider Sophie

By guest blogger Sophie. Sophie is a young Guider in British Columbia for a multi-Unit of Pathfinders and Rangers. Recently, she represented Girl Guides of Canada – Guides du Canada at the Helen Storrow Seminar at Our Chalet, discussing different environmental issues and making a change. Read Sophie’s other posts for GirlGuidesCANblog, including  A Young Guider’s Advice, Hand prints Instead of Footprints.

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Might be summer, but the Guiding year is just around the corner! Is there a story or experience you’d like to share with other Members or families? We’d love to hear your ideas!