This project was my first such original trip.
I did not expect that in less than two weeks we would have the opportunity to visit as many as 7 countries. I have improved my planning skills in preparation for the trip. However, during the journey itself, I could put myself in the role of a guide for a given place, although it was sometimes difficult due to using navigation, which often led us to a different place than we wanted to go. Each place had something unique about it. Vienna, which I had no expectations of, surprised me with its beauty. Italy charmed me with its cuisine.
Paris, on the other hand, had seemed overrated to me, but this trip changed that.
I saw it from a different perspective. However, I liked our main destination, Copenhagen, the most. The atmosphere in this city was unique. The city definitely belonged to young people, which could already be felt on the first day there. As we moved around on trains and public transportation, we had many opportunities to meet residents of these places and other travellers. I remember them very fondly. Although the trip was focused on learning about countries beyond our borders, I also learned a lot about Poland. The people I travelled with live in different parts of our country, and as a result, we noticed many similarities and even more differences in our areas of residence.
Our large backpacks accompanied us throughout our journey.
We especially felt it while climbing the steep stairs in Monaco as we were in a hurry to catch the train. Although they weighed a lot, they were extremely handy. However, I have to admit that I would take far fewer things on my next trip. In this case, minimalism would help. Above all, I met amazing people with whom I was able to share this adventure. I am grateful to have met them, as this trip wouldn’t have been so successful without them. I would also like to thank the LEVEL UP Association for providing me with the opportunity to participate in this project. This was a trip I won’t forget for years to come.
Ewelina 18 years old, Discover it yourself, Copenhagen
Thanks to the project, I learned about many interesting European countries and their cultures.
I met wonderful people from my group who made this trip even more enjoyable. We spent unforgettable two weeks together, for which I would like to thank them very much. During the trip, we met many interesting people who showed us a part of their world. A very inspiring meeting was with an organisation that introduced us to the secrets of meditation. Equally interesting was the second meeting, where we were able to take a little care of our planet by cleaning up the lake shore and going in a kayak.
The project also allowed me to overcome the language barrier and improve my speaking skills. I learned that group activities are more effective and more interesting than working alone. Throughout the trip, we could count on the support of the LEVEL UP Association.
I can highly recommend this trip to everyone!
Kamil Trochimiak, Discover it yourself, Copenhagen
The Discover It Yourself project was a challenge.
It started long before we set off on the journey by train. Even a few months before our departure, we had a lot of work ahead of us as we planned the destinations, accommodations, attractions, and all the other details. We had many meetings together, as well as a meeting with a coach, which allowed us to get to know each other better and facilitate our work together.
Train trip
However, everything truly began with boarding the first train. I still remember the excitement but also the peace of mind that, finally, it was beginning, the moment we had been waiting for so long! For me, the mode of travel we took was a complete novelty. We were prepared to travel dynamically, as we decided to see many places, in a fairly short period. However, now that the whole project is complete, I can say that we could not have planned it better. The beginning of our journey was quite exhausting because it happened during the hottest days, so sometimes marching with our heavy backpacks was indeed cumbersome (especially since, by the end of the trip, I realised I had left part of my backpack at home: the very part that would have made carrying it much easier:–D). Nevertheless, we never gave up on exploring and experiencing the cities we were in. Every day was something new for us, as we not only found ourselves in newer and farther destinations but also got to know each other more and more with each passing day. It didn’t take us long to integrate and, after just a short time, our days were filled with laughter and jokes. I still smile when I think back to the moments when our inside jokes were born.
The project taught me a lot
During the project, I also learned a lot, especially how to navigate and look for information at train stations, use a map, and plan trips :p. I found this to be very useful knowledge that will make my travels easier in the future. We were also able to learn a lot from ourselves, because despite being the same age, each of us was completely different, which made this trip even more wonderful! I particularly remember the daily reflection time we introduced. We always sat down together in the evenings to discuss the entire day because there was always so much happening that we needed time to peacefully digest everything we had experienced. It gave me great joy to be able to guide this time in a way and immense satisfaction that everyone loved it so much and we truly made it our own.
Vienna
One of the biggest surprises on our list of cities for me was Vienna. I was amazed by its architecture and the way greenery was arranged in the heart of the city, as well as the design of the subway, which I am simply in love with! However, definitely each city had something in it and involved many adventures. My thoughts longingly return to Paris and Amsterdam, which truly captivated me and where we had the most fun. Paris is a city for the youth, as we had most of the attractions completely for free, which allowed us to focus our budget on culinary discoveries. In Amsterdam, we managed to explore the city by bike – almost like locals!
I am very grateful to LEVEL UP for giving me the opportunity to participate in this project, as it was definitely the best trip of my life. I saw so many beautiful cities and experienced so many special moments that I couldn’t be happier and more satisfied with how our trip went.
Kinga 18 years old,Discover it yourself
The DIY project was my first contact with the world of leaders – although I already know it won’t be the last one!
It was an amazing opportunity to travel all over Europe with young and energetic people, for which I am truly grateful. Although it was not my first Eurotrip, revisiting some places allowed me to get to know them even better and even changed my opinion about some of them. On our way, we met many young (but also older) Europeans who inspired us with their openness and willingness to integrate. The trip allowed me to break many stereotypes in my head, which made me feel even more connected to our European community.
Taste barrier broken
The project was also an ideal opportunity to break down my taste barrier, as I had the chance to try many local dishes that I probably would never have tasted. (Snails are not so bad after all;)). The city I remember the best was Amsterdam, which we managed to explore on two wheels! It’s a valuable lesson for me because exploring the city by bike gave me a completely different perspective on the place, and for a moment, I felt as if I had lived there for a long time…
I am grateful to the LEVEL UP Association, the European Commission, and my team because our combined efforts made this a one-of-a-kind trip that each of us will remember for a lifetime!
PS Although it probably won’t reach them, I also send a special thanks to the owner of the bakery in Paris for storing my extremely valuable lost item, as well as to the hotel staff for efficiently handling the ‘case.’ 😀
Bartosz Cynk, Discover it yourself
I still remember the stress on the first day, while leaving Poland.
New people, new challenges, new cultures, new experiences. I had no idea what to expect, but looking back now, I realise that my nerves were unnecessary! We have created an incredibly interesting group of young people, who are not afraid of any challenges. The route we planned was really demanding and at times full of adversity (I hope my backpack is doing well somewhere in Amsterdam :), but I don’t regret a single moment when my legs hurt from sightseeing.
Openness during travel
I was incredibly impressed by people’s openness, and their willingness to cooperate when we approached to fill out surveys or record interviews. I have very positive memories of the cuisine, especially the desserts we had the opportunity to try in Italy. To this day, I still have a great desire to eat that delicious pistachio tiramisu from the pastry shop in Venice again <3.
Planning during travel
By far the most important thing I’ve learned is how to plan my day while travelling and logistical drawbacks like subway travel. I broke through my language barrier and learned that it’s worth being brave and stepping out of your comfort zone. After this trip, I stopped being afraid of challenges that once seemed impossible to overcome.
The city I remember best is definitely Paris!
While going there, I had it in my mind that it would be an overrated city, however, I was very positively surprised. Beautiful, atmospheric buildings, amazing architecture and sights, and very delicious food (the snails were quite good). It’s definitely worth visiting them, especially since many historical sites are free for people under 26 years old.
The second most atmospheric place was our must-see destination – Copenhagen.
Even though we could feel that the trip was coming to an end and that we would have to say goodbye, we were still having a great time. The city was pulsing with life, which drove us to keep going and maintain the pace of our journey…
I would like to thank the LEVEL UP Association very much, which provided us with support during crisis situations during the trip because, without it, it would have been definitely harder!
PS Remember, it’s better to regret doing something than to regret not doing it!
Patrycja, 18 years old,Discover it yourself
A project like “Discover It Yourself” was a very interesting experience in my life which I will never forget.
During this trip, I learned to use a map efficiently. Thanks to this skill, I will certainly find it easier to navigate unfamiliar territory in the future. During the project, I was able to manage my stress in tough situations, which had been very troublesome for me before. During this trip, of course, there were many kind and friendly people, such as a lady from Hamburg, a group of guys in Paris, and the train conductors in France. It was also surprising to me that everywhere we went, we kept running into our fellow countrymen.
The big surprise for me was certainly the beaches in Nice.
I didn’t think until now that people could sunbathe on such uncomfortable rocky beaches. As for the cuisine, it didn’t surprise me too much, and at times I just didn’t like it. I am grateful to the LEVEL UP Association for giving me the opportunity to discover new countries, and cultures, and meet amazing people. With my hand on my heart, I can recommend this association to everyone. Throughout the trip, we stayed in touch, and even difficult situations were not frightening to us, as we received the help we needed from it.
Szymon Modrak 18 years old,Discover it yourself