The Europe Express project was the greatest adventure of my life.
I visited 12 countries, travelled thousands of kilometres, met wonderful people, and got to know myself better.
From the project, I took away amazing memories, new friendships, a head full of inspiration and a heart filled with gratitude. Thanks to it, I opened up to the world and stopped fearing the unknown. I understood that every boundary is contractual – all you need to cross it is your courage. I learned to listen – both to myself and other people. I learned to plan, be flexible, trust people, and… trust myself.
During the whole trip, I met exceptional people who will always have a place in my heart. I had a chance to meet not only my travel companions with whom I shared every laugh and every sleepless night, but also random strangers whom I quickly became friends with – an elderly lady at the museum with whom we discussed paintings or a Spanish man who prepared us the best tapas according to his own recipe.
Every country was surprising to me, and every city was different and astonishing. Berlin surprised me with its contrasts, Stockholm with its monumentality and order, Copenhagen with its colours and Amsterdam with its million bicycles or a great history. Paris enchanted me with its unique atmosphere, Spain with its energy and warmth, Monaco with its luxury, Naples with its chaos and Rome with its beauty that is difficult to describe. Switzerland and its scenic route were pure perfection. Liechtenstein, which we visited very spontaneously, turned out to be unexpectedly quiet and peaceful, and our final stop, Vienna, was spectacularly elegant. Diversity was definitely the most beautiful and inspiring thing.
Every day I woke up in a different place and fell asleep with a head full of excitement. I met people from all over Europe, and all of them were always friendly and open. I also tried the local cuisine – I still can’t stop thinking about some dishes. I’ve been discovering what unites and differentiates our cultures for two weeks. I felt no barriers at the same time. I was so absorbed in the adventure and so excited about every new place that even in the case of small difficulties, I treated them as part of this travel puzzle. I had so much joy and energy that nothing could overshadow it.
I was also calm because the whole trip was planned in a perfect way, and I felt truly cared for by the organisation – before, after, and during the project. The LEVEL UP Association took care of everything, and I knew that if I had any problems, I could count on a quick response and help, which gave me a huge sense of security, especially during such an intense journey. I sincerely thank everyone who was a part of this incredible adventure: LEVEL UP for the unique opportunity to participate in the project, my group for every experiential experience, support and crazy joint decisions. I’m grateful for every moment – for the laughter, for the tears of emotion, for the rain in Amsterdam and the sun in Barcelona. I’m also grateful for the people I met and for every experience, as thanks to them, I discovered that I’m stronger than I thought. These two weeks were something special for me. The Europe Express project let me see the world more broadly and see my own capabilities. Somewhere between trains… I found myself. Thank you.
I recommend international travel with all my heart! Such a trip is much more than just exploring new places. It’s a chance to escape from the everyday, get to know yourself in completely new situations and learn courage, openness or flexibility. Every day in a new country offers not only new views but also a fresh look at the world and yourself. You don’t have to be an experienced traveller or speak five languages – all you need is curiosity and being ready to adventure. It was a unique experience that I wish everyone could enjoy at least once in life. Such a trip can change the way you look at reality – it opens your mind and heart, and it stays with you forever.
Aleksandra, 18, Europe Express, Travel through different European countries as a part of the Discover EU, Europe
This experience was truly incredible, full of challenges, new acquaintances and unforgettable moments.
I learned how to organise train rides, accommodations and meals on my own and with a limited budget. What’s interesting (and quite funny) is the fact that I also learned how to fall asleep in a few minutes, wherever and whenever possible!
Along the way, I met many wonderful people who made this trip even more valuable. I was surprised by how different European countries are, yet how much they have in common. The cuisine, culture and people’s approach to life – all of this created a colourful whole.
I have very good memories of the entire project. My health was the biggest obstacle for me, but thanks to the support of the group, we managed to modify our plans so that I could function normally and feel better. I’m very grateful for this chance, for the opportunity to test myself, learn so many new things and visit places that I’ve only heard about before.
One of the funniest moments was when we learned that our train had been delayed due to… track repairs. We were already very tired, and perhaps that’s why we found it hilarious, because another train had been six hours late just a few days ago.
I also received appropriate support during the trip – both from the group leader, who helped me a lot, and from the organisation. Despite the difficulties, I felt very well taken care of, and I could see many things from a different perspective.
Finally, I’d love to especially thank the LEVEL UP Association and the European Union for the opportunity to participate in the project, my group for our trip together and understanding, my leader for his care and support, and my friend David, who not only guided us through Austria but also brought me a delicious Austrian lunch at the station.
Do I recommend such a trip? I certainly do! Since I managed to do it – and believe me, I didn’t have much travel experience and I’m not the adventurer type – I’m sure you also can do it.
It’s a great opportunity to overcome one’s barriers, learn many things in practice, meet people from all over Europe and see the world from a completely new perspective. Sometimes, all you need to do is take the first step, and the rest will come in time.
Laura, 18, Europe Express, Travel through different European countries as a part of the Discover EU, Europe
The Europe Express project was an unforgettable experience for me. It let me broaden my perspective, meet new people with a passion for travelling, and it also tested my leadership skills.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from the project was another experience of working in a group. I believe that the experience of travelling (which isn’t too easy) is the perfect environment for learning teamwork. The way of working, the division of labour and joint decisions – it’s hard to find a better opportunity to practice your skills in this area :). The trip is also a great way to improve your foreign language skills. All the people I met along the way were helpful and friendly – with special thanks to the LEVEL UP Association. Without their support and understanding of our changing plans, this trip would have lost much of its charm. For me, the funniest moment was our spontaneous decision to visit Liechtenstein. It’s a good time to express my gratitude for working together on preparing the trip, but also for supporting each other. In my opinion, the most difficult part was… the trip itself – it was very tiring, but even more fascinating. Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who made it possible for me to participate in the project. I especially want to thank Justyna, Laura, Ola, and Stanisław :).
Mateusz, 20, Europe Express, Travel through different European countries as a part of the Discover EU, Europe
Participating in the Europe Express project was one of the most intense and inspiring adventures of my life.
Over two weeks, I visited 13 countries, experienced lots of emotions, met amazing people and saw Europe from a completely different perspective. I gained huge self-confidence and a sense of empowerment – I realised I could adapt to different cultures and situations. The project taught me flexibility, openness and collaboration with others, even in difficult and stressful moments. Besides practical skills like moving around European cities, managing a budget or planning my day, I also learned to better understand people and their diversity. I met incredible participants, as well as residents, activists and volunteers.
Each country was surprising in its own way. I was amazed by the culture of social trust in Sweden, by the order and structure in Germany, by the openness and freedom in Spain and by the perfect organisation of daily life in Switzerland. On the other hand, Lichtenstein surprised me just by being there! The cuisine was an adventure in itself – from fresh croissants in Paris and Neapolitan pizza to Swedish smörgåsbord. The locals were mostly very friendly and helpful.
A tremendous credit belongs to the organisers – the LEVEL UP Association took care of every detail. They supported me before leaving, during the trip, and after returning. Thanks to their commitment, we could focus on experiencing what was most important. I didn’t notice any major barriers – neither linguistic nor organisational ones. Everything was well-organised, and the atmosphere of the group or the openness of the people made even the greater problems easy to overcome. I’d like to sincerely thank the entire LEVEL UP team, my group and myself for deciding to participate in this project. This trip was an experiential experience.
Stanisław, 18, Europe Express, Travel through different European countries as a part of the Discover EU, Europe
