The first country we touched down in was Munich, Germany. The architecture and the energy felt very different. My first thought was pure excitement—followed by the realization that it was cold in Germany (about 56 degrees) and I packed clothes for warm weather. The first picture I snapped was of a narrow street lined with small cafes and colorful buildings.
One of the best parts about this experience has been exploring the local culture. Walking everywhere and talking with the locals has been a fun part of this experience. The food is incredible too. I’ve had fresh and flavorful meals. For example, I had great spaghetti bolognese in Munich, amazing lasagna in Venice, and had homemade bread in Trento. I’ve also had dishes I’d never even heard of before coming here.
Outside of class, I’ve taken trips to nearby cities and historical sites—each one with its own unique charm. A few historical sites I went to was the Residenz München in Munich, the Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento, and the Postojna Cave in Ljubljana. Getting to use and learn the local transportation system was very easy. There were a few hiccups like getting lost or confused, but we managed. A few cities that I went on nearby trips to were Mezzocorona in Italy, Riva De Garda in Italy (which is the largest lake in Italy), the Hintertux Glacier in Austria, and Lido in Italy.
Meeting locals has been such a highlight. They have pride in their culture, and even with the occasional language hiccup, they’re always patient and helpful. In every city I try to learn a few words in their respective languages, I could tell the locals really appreciated this. Every day here I experience me something new and I’m soaking it all in.
