Ready, Set, Munich: My Experience

By Valentina Gauci 

50 Maltese students and endless litres of beer…you do the math. Would you expect anything less than catastrophically crazy things to happen? This was a five day trip organised by S-Cubed filled with thrilling experiences from day one, which took place post the hectic Easter family lunches. It began with heartfelt goodbyes but steadily escalated to unexpected and memorable highs.

Intended to be both an educational as well as a recreational trip, it was the perfect in-between balance, allowing students to familiarise themselves with the city as well as its science exhibitions. Nights spent socializing with friends at events such as an ESN party and a beer tour around the city led to the development of promising friendships that are still going strong.

All of our visits were remarkable but the ones that personally stood out for me would definitely include the Deutsches Museum, the Planetarium at Max Planck and Garmisch-Partnach Gorge. Walking around the lake at the Olympia Park was also a delightful experience.

As we stepped out of the elevator at the top floor of the Deutsches Museum, we expected to find another exhibition but were instead taken aback by the city views from above, spanning from St Peter’s Church and the Cathedral of Our Lady, to attractions by the river Isar. As we descended down floor by floor through the museum, we were met with creative displays throughout, ranging from a thrilling walk-in-life-size model of a eukaryotic cell to an astounding yet informative pharmaceutical display.

Driving out of the hectic city centre to the quiet area of Garmisch-Partenkirchen was a well-needed transition; from the busy jam-packed streets to the snowy Austrian and the green Bavarian Alps. After taking a gondola to the top, we began winding our way back down to Partnach gorge. Another astounding experience includes the Planetarium exhibit at Max Planck, where reclining comfortably one may enjoy an awe-inspiring astrophysical simulation that provides an unforgettable journey through the universe.

Hats off to the S-Cubed team for co-ordinating the event and their overall organisational skills. I am eagerly awaiting news of another trip!