This project surprised me thanks to being completely different from my expectations.
Lots of photos and travel videos can be seen online, but it’s not even close to experiencing it first hand. It is not only about the most popular places in big cities, but also about delicious local food, beautiful streets in lesser-known districts, and polite local people. During the exchange, I primarily learned to plan trips more effectively. It was also an opportunity for me to break down my barriers, which involved letting go of things I couldn’t control, such as the trains often changing or being delayed, over which I had no influence. I just had to accept it and find a way to arrive at the destination despite the challenges. I have also learned to appreciate small moments, especially after 14 hours on a train when we could go to the beach and enter the water for a moment during a transfer in Cerbere, or when the places I had no expectations of turned out to be the most beautiful. A hot climate became a daily routine, and 4 hours on a train were only a nap before another adventure. It was funny when we crossed paths several times with another group that set off a day after us, and we helped each other out. I am grateful for new friendships: with the girls from my group (because sometimes we laughed so hard that it was difficult to catch a breath), with Kicie Kocie group (for sharing their memories with us and always being ready to help), and also with local people, or people met on a train (because they often could infect us with their smile and positive thinking). LEVEL UP Association supported us constantly at every stage of the exchange, which I am very grateful for.
These kinds of trips definitely broaden one’s horizons and give us lifelong memories. It is an incredible way to get out of your comfort zone, which changes a person through new experiences. I definitely recommend such trips to my peers!
Aleksandra, 21 years old, Europe Express, Travel through various European countries as part of Discover EU, the Netherlands (Amsterdam), France (Paris, Marseille), Spain (Madrid, Barcelona), Italy (Milan, Venice), Austria (Vienna), Europe Express
Two weeks of travelling…
Two weeks of travelling, changing places every 2 days on average, watching many amazing, different views and getting to know cultures is something truly wonderful. Behind this, there is also the atmosphere in the group, organisation, lots of compromises and decisions made, trip planning and solving problems you cannot avoid and have to deal with them on the fly. The trip taught me many practical skills that were unknown to me before. It showed me how I truly behave in a completely new form of travelling, with heavy backpacks, constant changes, and among people I had just met. It was a great opportunity to check myself, and I am really grateful that I had this chance at such a young age.
I am 100% sure that I will share my experience with my friends, tell them all those funny – but not only – stories.
Klaudia, 18 years old, Europe Express, Travel through various European countries as part of Discover EU, the Netherlands (Amsterdam), France (Paris, Marseille), Spain (Madrid, Barcelona), Italy (Milan, Venice), Austria (Vienna), Europe Express
The Europe Express project was an amazing experience that I will remember forever.
What I will remember most are the wonderful memories, new friendships and that incredible feeling of freedom when, as an eighteen-year-old girl with a backpack, I travelled across Europe. It was a unique and beautiful experience that will stay with me for a long time.
During our trip, we met a lot of people who were curious about Poland. Sometimes we talked about our country, and I was surprised by how knowledgeable some people were; some knew Polish words, others had interesting associations related to Poland. Sometimes they immediately guessed where we were from, which was truly a nice and surprising experience for me.
In Amsterdam, we came across the Pride Parade. The city was bustling with life, full of young people, colours, and positive energy. I felt it was a city of young, free people. On one hand, it was modern, and on the other hand, I was enchanted by the old architecture, which had a unique atmosphere. This contrast between history and modernity made Amsterdam seem really inspiring to me.
Paris, on the other hand… I must admit, I imagined it to be more elegant and tidy, but in reality, it was a bit more chaotic, but it still had that famous Parisian vibe.
However, I fell in love with Marseille the most. There was something about this city that made me feel really good there. It was full of art, colours, life and the seaside climate, which I adore. I feel like I could live there someday. I would love to come back there.
In Madrid, we had a super nice situation. The man from whom we bought churros gave us more than we ordered, and it was completely free! He was very positive, smiling, and warm. It was a small thing, but it made me so happy and left a very pleasant memory.
Milan surprised me very positively. I had thought it wouldn’t be my favourite city, yet it turned out to be a place I really liked.
Venice was beautiful and full of romanticism, and Barcelona was warmer than Madrid, which surprised me a bit. In Spain, we spent a lot of time on the beaches. The beaches were wonderful both during the day and in the evenings. I love water, so I really enjoyed swimming, and evenings on the beach, with the sound of the sea, were very pleasant.
The cuisine of every country was very unique. In France, I was delighted by macaroons, pain au chocolat and all the wonderful pastries. In Amsterdam, I ate the best fries in my life, served with truffle and mayonnaise sauce. I still think about them, and I would love to taste them again! In Spain, patatas and tapas were delicious, and the cuisine of this country stole my heart. Italian cuisine is my favourite! Carbonara was delicious almost everywhere, and tasty ice-creams (the symbol of our group) that we ate almost every day, were wonderful everywhere.
The people we met were really open. In Spain, I met really welcoming and warm people who were eager to talk to us. It was similar in Italy; the residents were very nice, which made me feel really good there.
One of the funniest situations that happened to us during the project was when we met by chance another group, “Kicia Kocia” that was at that time in Barcelona as well. We met each other by chance, and we spent the evening on the beach. I hope that in my life there will be more cool surprises like that one. During the trip, we also had moments of quick train changes, for example, in Cerbère, where we had 40 minutes (it’s still one of the longer changes; there were also 5-minute ones…) to change trains. We used that time to walk on the beach, which allowed me to feel like time had suddenly slowed down and I didn’t have to worry about anything. Of course, it wasn’t always that easy – for example, in the return journey, when our train was delayed by as much as 4 hours, which then felt like waiting forever, lying on the station floor 🙂
The trip showed me how important it is to step out of your comfort zone, especially at the beginning of adult life. The project taught me many things, but maybe the most important was how to cope with difficult and stressful situations and how to work in a group so that everybody feels comfortable and at ease..
I remember when our train was cancelled and we had to find another one at the last minute. I was a bit stressed then, as suddenly everything got messed up and we were thinking about what to do next. However, we managed because we supported each other and worked together. It was an experience that showed me that in such moments, cooperation and mutual support are truly important.
It was similar when the trains got delayed and the plans changed significantly. At first, I felt stressed and lost, but I quickly understood that sometimes you just have to adapt and not stick rigidly to your plan; otherwise, you will only get unnecessarily stressed and lose the joy of travelling. When something changed in our plan, I wasn’t stressed anymore, but instead I acted and trusted that together we would make it. I learned that sometimes it is worth chilling out and not sticking rigidly to the plan. Before the trip, I preferred journeys planned A to Z, but on the project I learned to be more spontaneous, relaxed and less controlling. I stepped out of my comfort zone, which I am happy and grateful for.
The organisers and the whole LEVEL UP team were very nice and helpful. I always felt that if I needed something, they would help me right away. The whole process before the trip – online meetings, activities on the Trello app and different tips – were very helpful and pleasant to me. This made me feel well-prepared. I also know that if any problems had arisen (fortunately, there were none), I could count on quick support and help, for which I am extremely grateful!
I am extremely grateful for the whole project and for the chance that LEVEL UP gave me. I thank my group “Podróżniczki” – the girls with whom I travelled and made beautiful memories together. I am also thankful for all the beautiful memories and views that I had the chance to see. However, what I appreciate most is the learning and the changes that have taken place within me thanks to this experience, and I know that they will stay with me.
I definitely felt supported by LEVEL UP before, during, and after the exchange. The organisers were always available and helpful, and the meetings before the trip and the materials on the app really helped me to prepare. During the project, I knew that I could count on them, and after the exchange, I also received important information and support. Thanks to that, the whole process was easy and pleasant for me!
I would like to thank again the organisers and LEVEL UP for their great support at every stage of the project. Thanks also to my group “Podróżniczki” because they made this trip so amazing and full of unforgettable moments. And of course, to everyone I met during this adventure, for the shared moments, smiles, and new friendships.
This project will stay in my heart forever, and I hope that in my life there will be more such trips!
I wholeheartedly recommend such trips to everyone who has a chance! It is an amazing chance to not only see the world, but also to get to know yourself better. Such experiences teach independence, openness, and how to cope with new, often unpredictable situations. Thanks to the project, I realised how much you can gain from travelling, not only beautiful memories, friendship, but also specific skills and self-confidence.
Łucja, 18 years old, Europe Express, Travel through various European countries as part of Discover EU, the Netherlands (Amsterdam), France (Paris, Marseille), Spain (Madrid, Barcelona), Italy (Milan, Venice), Austria (Vienna), Europe Express
It was a journey full of laughter, sightseeing, delicious food…
I set off on a journey with Ola, Łucja, and Klaudia. Together with the girls, we had the adventure of a lifetime during those 14 days. It was a journey full of laughter, sightseeing, delicious food, Too Good To Go packages, carrying backpacks, compromises, wonderful people, 10-minute train transfers and gelato… During that time, we’ve learned how to plan, organise, and communicate. I am sure that I will forever remember jumping off a cliff in Marseille, a night train to Paris, sunrise on the train in Austria, meeting the “Kicie Kocie” group in Barcelona and Venice, a night spent on a train station in Padua, a run at 7:00 a.m. in pyjamas to the train station in Madrid and at 1:00 a.m. to catch the last bus to get to the hostel. We had a chance to taste Dutch Stroopwafels, French macaroons, Spanish churros and Italian pasta. There is a wonderful journey behind us, from which I returned with fantastic memories and new friends. I am incredibly thankful to the LEVEL UP Association for such a chance to develop, travel the world, and for the support at every stage of the trip.
I would recommend such a trip to everyone. It is an amazing chance to develop, get to know wonderful people, gain unique memories and travel the length and breadth of Europe. Europe Express is really a one-of-a-kind experience. I would like to repeat the adventure myself, and I will definitely recommend the project to my friends.
Zuzanna, 18 years old, Europe Express, Travel through various European countries as part of Discover EU, the Netherlands (Amsterdam), France (Paris, Marseille), Spain (Madrid, Barcelona), Italy (Milan, Venice), Austria (Vienna), Europe Express
