The language of science is universal, building bridges across nations. This is the reason why students and teachers from six schools from India, Chile, the U.S., and Germany gathered together at Paradis International College to participate in the Round Square International Conference “A Mountain of Science.” After the traditional bread and salt welcome, our guests toured the school with the help of Paradis students, they had a pottery workshop, they learned to make perfume, and they competed in various sports competitions. In the Sensory Room, they tested all their senses, and then were challenged to find clues to get out of the Escape Room.

The delegations from abroad and Paradis students participating in the Round Square International Conference “A Mountain of Science” enjoyed fascinating scientific journeys with our special guests. The ultramarathon runner Tiberiu Ușeriu took them from the Arctic Circle to the desert, telling them about the competitions he has participated in and giving them a real life lesson about winners. The neurosurgeon Bogdan Iliescu revealed to them the mysteries of the brain and he also talked about the power of music to make us happier and more creative. And together with the the most famous eclipse hunter in the country, Cătălin Beldea, they travelled the world to observe the great astronomical phenomenon of solar eclipses.

The scientific adventure of the international delegations and Paradis students continued in the mountains. The participants of the Round Square International Conference ”A Mountain of Science” hiked in the Bicăjel Gorge and they climbed the Via Ferrata “Astragalus”, the largest steel cable climbing route in Romania, activities that activated their spirit of adventure and leadership, and helped them overcome their fears. For the success of our mission on the longest steel cable climbing route in Romania, it was essential to have the support from the mountain climber Constantin Lăcătușu and his colleagues, Irina Rusu, from “Dr. Gheorghe Iacomi” Eco-Tourist Club in Piatra Neamț, and Claudiu Lungu, ranger at the „Ecolog” Cabin. The first Romanian who conquered the Everest Summit and Claudiu Lungu, the ones who founded and set up the Via Ferrata “Astragalus”, helped all the students involved in the Round Square conference climb it in extreme weather conditions.

Experiential learning is the foundation of the Paradis International College education. A key part of this year’s Round Square International Conference, experiential learning activities came to a successful conclusion. Delegates from 6 international schools – India, Chile, the U.S. and Germany partook in rich learning experiences given by concrete scientific and life situations in Romanian mountains. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to everyone and especially to our ambassadors along the route, the Paradis high school students.