It’s really difficult to plan everything down to the minute…
It’s also difficult to plan anything in general when there are four people who don’t particularly care about planning. Although it may sound absurd to some people, it’s exactly how our trip began – just moving forward and just moving towards more (unforeseeable) adventures.
When I think about the whole journey now, some time after our trip, I can only smile from ear to ear. The fantastic places we saw, the many cuisines we tasted, how lucky we were with the people along the way and how incredibly well we managed to get along while being completely random travel companions – it’s almost incomprehensible. We perceived every adversity like an old friend, because, to be honest, we’ve become accustomed to them over the past 14 days. And it’s still beautiful, as we managed to deal with each such situation. Possible bedbugs? What does it mean for us? A quick, overnight pest control, and let’s move on. A massive attack of olive oil right before an overnight train? Hand-washing and drying in front of the train station isn’t a problem for four people. Nonexistent luggage boxes? We’ll leave our backpacks at the restaurant, it’s the same thing. Illness? We’ll manage to get along at the Spanish pharmacy, even with sign language. Did we forget to book tickets to the Louvre? We can still watch a movie about poultry farmers in our apartment; culture is culture. A very hot day? Well, we had to give up on that, but we didn’t waste the time – it was the perfect opportunity to catch up on what was happening in our homes and online when we conquered the world. Only a street magician in Brussels beat us, but it was pure rocket science.
The fate placed good people at every step of my way. Starting with the Polish man who, with a smile, showed us the way to the best kebab in Cologne, through the kind Roberto from Brussels, whose hospitality stayed with us until the last day of our trip, the Serbian interviewer in Luxembourg and the fantastic cable car driver in Giverny, whom we’ll definitely visit again when we return there. A quick stopover in Barcelona led to meeting a waiter at a local restaurant, which was a welcome diversion after the long trip from Paris. Italy allowed me to meet my best friend, Eugenio, who took us on a trip to Sirmione and did his best to present his country in the best possible way – I can be a bit biased, but I’m friends with him for a reason. Verona also reminded me that it’s not just about outsiders – I haven’t felt such a sense of community for a long time as I did when my olive oil refused to cooperate. After exhausting days full of adventures, I felt like giving up at that moment. But that’s when Zuzia, Oliwia and Martyna reminded me that we were a team. Even though I was the leader, they didn’t hesitate to help me when I asked. We handled the situation together, making perfect time for the arrival of our overnight train (which our reservation didn’t work on, but we weren’t even surprised by that). In my opinion, all these people created a trip out of this world.
I’ll always remember my visit to Cafe Belga, Monet’s beautiful paintings, the monumental Cologne Cathedral and the lots of laughter at the absolutely silly things that were the peak of comedy for us. I’ll remember all the lessons I learned from this journey and share a piece of my history with three other letters, MOZO, for the rest of my life. Because it may be MOZO but not MOZOLly (in Polish: mozolnie – laboriously) 😊
In addition, I’d have made a faux pas, not to mention the professional help from the LEVEL UP Association. From the first email sent and the substantive conversations when we encountered problems, to lots of patience when we needed to extend deadlines. I’m very glad that I was given the opportunity to participate in the Europe Express project because it influenced not only my personal development but also my professional and even academic profile – my bachelor’s thesis on European projects and the opportunities they offer young people will be much richer thanks to it. I don’t know if I could have asked for anything more, as I feel like I received the complete package, so I couldn’t be more grateful.
As for my peers – absolutely yes! Although we’re left with being leaders, it’s worth the effort. Nothing is more beautiful than being a travelling mom and seeing the smiles of happy babies, as well as the grimace when we can’t take our tenth selfie break in a pretty spot. But above all, it’s the smile.
Ola, 24, Europe Express, Travel through different European countries under the Discover EU
The trip under the Europe Express project was a unique experience for me, allowing me not only to meet many new people but also to better understand myself…
I learned to adapt to the group, enjoy spending time together and appreciate moments, even if they didn’t always align with my individual choices. Maintaining contact with my loved ones during constant travelling and having to adapt to the group’s schedule proved challenging, but it also gave me the valuable skill of flexibility.
I met many interesting people during the project, and some of them had a connection to Poland – for example, a Spanish woman who had a Polish grandfather or a Frenchman whose girlfriend was from Poland. It was surprising and very inspiring for me. I didn’t like the fact that the people from Paris were rather rude, but I felt very comfortable in Spain. I especially liked the Italian atmosphere and lifestyle, even though some unexpected situations happened there, like a fight between two women on a train.
The cuisine in each country was an interesting experience, and the locals were often surprisingly open. The LEVEL UP organisers ensured our well-being, providing support before, during and after the exchange. I’m very grateful to them, as well as to the entire group with whom I shared these adventures.
The funniest moment I’ll remember most was when we slept on the floor in our swimsuits while we were debugging, and we managed to laugh about it despite the difficult conditions. It shows that even in the hardest and most stressful moments, we found reasons to be happy.
I’m incredibly grateful for having the opportunity to participate in this project, for the people I met and for the experiences that enriched me. I’d like to thank both the organisers and the entire group – they were the ones who made this trip so special. I’d definitely like to experience something similar again in the future.
I highly recommend such trips to my peers, as they’re not only an opportunity to see the world but, above all, to get to know ourselves and other people. These experiences teach us openness, flexibility and teamwork, as well as help us to overcome language and cultural barriers. Travelling under the international projects gives you the chance to make friends with people from different countries, which is very inspiring and broadens our horizons. It’s also an adventure full of humorous situations, shared memories and unforgettable moments that will last for life. That’s why it’s worth taking the risk and trying – even if it seems difficult or stressful at first.
Zuzanna, 18, Europe Express, Travel through different European countries under the Discover EU
A lot changed during my trip…
I got my final exam results, which were very disappointing. I learned I hadn’t been accepted to my dream program, which was medicine, but in the end, I got into psychology. Throughout all of these moments—both the good and the bad ones—I could always count on my wonderful travelling companions, the girls who were assigned to my group.
I gained a lot from the project – connections that developed into friendships despite our many differences in personality and approach to life, the awareness that no matter how bad a situation seems, there’s always a way out, and the new experiences that will stay with me for life and that I’ll talk to future generations about. Thanks to all of this, I really learned a lot – especially about myself and the strength of my character. I also learned how to plan and organise a trip route, as well as I improved my spatial orientation. I also believe that the whole experience opened me up to other people and broadened my horizons.
I had the great pleasure of meeting so many people – from my companions, with whom I felt as if we’d known each other for years, to people I’d met along the way: the beloved train driver in Giverny, the Italian Eugenio and other open-minded travellers at train stations.
I was very surprised by the different attitudes towards tourists in different countries. You can feel completely unwelcome in every restaurant in Paris, while in Italy, the waiters always welcomed us with open arms and a smile. Another very surprising thing was the appearance and operation of train stations, and the accuracy with which security checks are carried out in Spain (more accurate than at airports).
I’ll definitely miss the cuisines, especially the French and Italian ones, for the coming years. When I’m feeling down, I often think of the mussels or octopus from the Spanish market. The locals treated us very differently – while the Spanish were willing to help us polish our language when ordering, a French waiter pointedly blocked our passage after we finished our meal and didn’t tip.
The LEVEL UP Association is truly recommendable – we could always count on their support, good advice or simply reassurance in crises. Everything went very smoothly and professionally, thanks to them.
As it turned out, my current lifestyle was the biggest barrier for me – before the trip, I’d never slept in hostels or other “difficult” conditions. This new situation significantly influenced my comfort and sense of security at one point, but thanks to the support of the girls and my openness, I managed to overcome it, adapt to the new reality, and even enjoy it.
Honestly, I’m INCREDIBLY grateful that I had such an opportunity. I probably wouldn’t have spent that much money on the trip I had the pleasure of participating in. It’s a real chance that wouldn’t have existed if it weren’t for this project. I’m also incredibly grateful for the people I met along the way – both the girls and all the others, because each of them taught me something.
I’ll remember the moment when a bottle of olive oil in Ola’s backpack broke at the train station in Verona, and we had to take a few things to the restroom. I won’t forget the faces of the cleaning ladies when they saw us with it.
Both before the trip (coaching), during and after the project, we could always count on the support from the LEVEL UP Association. The preparation was thorough and very helpful. The requirements and tasks were interesting and clearly defined, and support was always provided when needed. If it weren’t for such good organisation, I wouldn’t have had fond memories of the trip.
I’d like to express immense thanks to the LEVEL UP Association for everything – for the chance, for the amount of work they put in, for their understanding, support and great selection of the group because they did everything perfectly. My dear girls also deserve thanks, as the trip wouldn’t have been the same if it weren’t for them. I truly hope that this friendship, despite so many differences, will endure (and everything points to it).
If I were to encourage others to travel abroad, I’d emphasise that the places they see on Instagram reels really exist. It’s possible to see them and experience an unforgettable adventure, instead of being curious about someone else’s life. Do I recommend such trips to my peers? Honestly, I think young people don’t take advantage of the opportunities they have. It’s amazing how vast the world is, how wonderful people you can meet and how many lifelong memories you can create. You just need to want it and fight for it.
Martyna, 18, Europe Express, Travel through different European countries under the Discover EU
This trip was an incredibly valuable experience…
I learned how to plan a trip in a group, collaborate with others and be flexible in adapting to changing situations. We had to deal with new challenges every day, and I learned that I can cope with difficult circumstances, even when things didn’t go according to plan.
The biggest surprise during the trip was the diversity of cultures and traditions in the countries we visited. We discovered something completely different in each country – from the flavors of the local cuisine to the customs of the locals. I had the chance to try many traditional dishes that will remain in my memory for a long time.
One of the barriers I had to overcome was communicating in a foreign language in daily situations. It was stressful at first, but I began to feel more confident over time, and I saw it as a learning opportunity.
I believe that a project like this is a great opportunity to broaden my horizons, meet new people and test myself in completely new situations.
Of course, I recommend it! I think the most encouraging thing is the stories of how wonderful it was!
Oliwia, 18, Europe Express, Travel through different European countries under the Discover EU
