Warning: Alphorns are not recommended to bring home as souvenirs.

Call the cows home! You may ask, but how? Well, if you are studying abroad in Switzerland, take the opportunity to toot your horn. Now, this isn’t just any horn. It is a massive wooden alphorn. Try your horn blowing skills out on one of these babies - trust me, it isn’t as easy as it may appear.

This is one of the many unique activities someone should participate in while visiting Europe. I enjoyed the opportunity to take a stab at making music with an alphorn while studying abroad, however, I don’t think any of the ears listening would have considered the noise I produced music. Our group was treated to a performance by a seasoned alphorn musician and we were all enthralled by his skills.

What better opportunity to see the world and experience something new than studying abroad? Check out North Dakota State University's Center for Global Initiatives to begin your experience of a lifetime, http://www.ndsu.edu/cgi/ and http://ndsu-studyabroad.blogspot.com/. Amazing opportunities abound when people visit other parts of the world - so go blow your horn, alphorn that is!

                                      -Joyana