During the Europe Express trip, I had a chance to experience an incredible adventure that will surely remain with me for a long time.
In 14 days, we visited many cities in many European countries, from Osnabrück in Germany, through Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg, to Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Genoa, Milan, Lugano, Zurich, Munich and Prague. Each of those places had its own unique climate and allowed me to see how diverse and beautiful Europe is. From this project, I gained a wealth of experience related to travelling. I learned how to plan, navigate timetables and quickly adapt to new situations. I was surprised by how everyday life in certain cities differs from the lifestyle in peaceful Luxembourg, from the bustling and modern streets of Paris or Madrid to the Swiss order and beautiful landscapes in Lugano. The cuisine was a huge attraction. I tasted a few local dishes, and every country offered something that highlighted it. The biggest barrier was sometimes the communication in the local language, but it quickly turned out that a smile and a few simple words in English were enough to communicate. I am very thankful to the LEVEL UP Association for the opportunity to take part in this project. During the trip, we could count on their support and good organisation. Thanks to that, I felt safe, and I could focus on exploring new places. The trip taught me to be more open, flexible, and brave in taking on new challenges. I would like to wholeheartedly thank the organisers and all participants for the time we spent together, the inspiring conversations and the unforgettable moments. Such trips are a wonderful adventure; they allow us to see the world, meet new people, and learn to be independent. I recommend it to everyone, because it gives experiences and memories that can’t be gained in any other way.Dawid, 18 years old, Europe Express, A travel through various European countries with Discover EU Group 7
After the project, I know how to plan trips, where to look for interesting places, and what really attracts me during sightseeing.
I also understood what style of discovering the world suits me best. I feel I became more mentally resilient; a trip like this was a big challenge and a real step out of my comfort zone. Thanks to it, I learned to be more open, independent, and brave in making decisions. I met people with very different personalities and needs. It taught me a lesson of compromise, patience and the art of resolving conflicts that can arise when everyone comes from a different background and has different habits. What surprised me was the huge number of homeless people living in tents on the streets in Paris. In turn, in Spain, I was struck by the incredible openness and spontaneity of the people. I was also amazed by the cuisine, especially Spanish tapas in Madrid. We tasted paella, patatas bravas and classic tortilla de patatas there. The LEVEL UP Association supported us at every step. I felt that I could always count on their help, tips and kindness. I also have fond memories of our talks and the time we spent together on the train. I am really thankful to the organisers for this unique opportunity to travel across Europe, which has inspired me to explore more. I am also thankful to myself for taking the risk, overcoming my fears and learning a lot about myself. I encourage those who are brave and also those less confident to travel around Europe. During such a trip, you have a chance to overcome your fears and learn a lot about yourself. Such a trip gives you an opportunity to explore places that you have never imagined. Only by immersing ourselves in a given culture can we gain a complete picture of a country.Eliza, 18 years old, Europe Express, A travel through various European countries with Discover EU Group 7
Participation in the LEVEL UP project was a great experience for me.
I visited so many countries that it is hard to comprehend – Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic. I will probably never be in so many places during only two weeks, so this journey is so special for me. In some places, we stayed only for a few hours, but we could still feel their vibe. This is why I know where I would like to return for a longer time. On the very first day, it was clear that not everything would go according to plan. We had a train breakdown and had to change our route, but thanks to that, we accidentally visited Osnabrück, a small, charming town. I had not visited most of the countries, so I was very excited about a new adventure. I was learning how to plan the journey, book tickets, and also how to work in a group in which everyone has a different pace, interests, and habits. Eating breakfast together by the lake in Lugano, walking along the canals in Amsterdam, evenings in Barcelona, French bakeries, Italian food, museums in Madrid, running around stations during changes – these are just some of the memories that will stay with me for a long time. In addition to sightseeing, what was also important was self-improvement – I found out what I am interested in, what style of travelling I like, and how I cope in different situations. Many days were really intense, during one day we could be in a few cities, usually the journeys lasted several hours, and then we had only a few hours of sleep. But thanks to that, I became more persistent and elastic. The LEVEL UP Association prepared us well – before the trip, we had a training, we could always ask a question, ask for help or just for advice. There was a sense of support, but also freedom and trust that we would manage. It was a very intense trip, full of emotions, discoveries, food, rushing to catch trains, and shared laughter at things only we understood. I am very happy I had the chance to take part in this project and could experience this unique journey. I am thankful for every moment of this trip – both the easy and enjoyable ones, such as sightseeing together, joking around, exploring new cultures, as well as the more difficult ones, when we had to overcome our tiredness, get along with the group or improvise in stressful situations. All of this made me richer in experience, memories, and a new perspective on the world that will stay with me for a long time. Of course I recommend it! It is a great chance to visit a lot of new places, explore a bit of their culture, architecture, language, food, lifestyle, and find out where you would like to come back to and stay longer. It is also an opportunity for self-improvement, proving yourself in new situations, gaining valuable travel planning skills, and discovering how and what you like to explore.Izabela, 18 years old, Europe Express, A travel through various European countries with Discover EU Group 7
10 countries, 26 trains, millions of new memories.
I had never seen as much as during those two weeks. One day, we were walking along the narrow canals of Amsterdam, walking through Brussels and Luxembourg, and the next day we woke up in Paris, looking at the magnificent Eiffel Tower. In Madrid, I admired Spanish masterpieces at the Prado Museum and explored royal residences, only to find myself a few moments later standing in front of the still unfinished Sagrada Familia and searching for Gaudí’s works on the streets of Barcelona. The charming alleys of Genoa tempted me with the aroma of authentic Italian pizza and pesto, and the surface of the lake in picturesque Lugano reflected the light of the mountains before I moved to bustling Zurich. In the evening, I travelled on to Munich, where I met people dressed in Bavarian costumes. We ended our trip in Prague, listening to the sound of the clock, which rang out over the crowd of tourists at noon. It was an unforgettable adventure that showed me a new, fresher side of Europe. I immersed myself in each place, interested in what the next day of our journey would bring. I learned how to be organised, work under the pressure of time and place, and be patient with everyday situations, people and the fact that things don’t always go my way… Sometimes we got lost at stations, other times we went in the wrong direction, but we always kept going. It was an intensive journey, an adventure that will stay in my memory for long time, because the “Europe Express” project allowed me to experience many new places. I am incredibly grateful for every new landscape, a fresher perspective of the world around me. I know this was not my last trip, but I am happy that the LEVEL UP Association gives me a chance to explore the world around me. International trips are an opportunity, and opportunities should not be missed. Because maybe one place will turn out to be our second home? It is an amazing experience, new memories and relationships established, as well as learning about oneself.Zuza, 19 years old, Europe Express, A travel through various European countries with Discover EU Group 7
