Living abroad in Europe is a remarkable experience for countless reasons, but perhaps one of the most extraordinary aspects is the ease and affordability of travel. The ability to hop on a train or plane and find yourself in a new country within just a few hours has allowed me to explore more of the world than I ever imagined possible.
Each new destination has welcomed me with its own unique blend of history, culture, language and charm, creating a plethora of unforgettable experiences that have shaped my time abroad.
Since early February, my travels have taken me to over 10 new cities, four new countries and even a new continent. Each trip has left an indelible mark on my heart, filled with cherished memories and moments of discovery. I am endlessly grateful to the people and places that have made these adventures so remarkable.
My first trip out of Spain was to Switzerland. Fresh off the flight, I walked around Zurich before catching a train to Interlaken for the weekend.
This destination seemed to be straight out of a fairy tale, with each direction you look presenting a new picturesque scene. We walked throughout the fairly small town and some opted to ski in the Swiss Alps for the following day while I chose a kayak excursion on Lake Brienz.
As I paddled myself further away from the group, the silence lulled me into a state that I can only describe as similar to meditation. I felt a smile form without effort and was overwhelmed by the beauty surrounding me. With each passing moment, my smile grew wider.
From indulging in fondue to plunging into icy waters and strolling along bicycle paths, every experience in Interlaken was filled with joy and wonder. As the sun set beautifully on each day, I found myself reluctantly bidding farewell to this enchanting destination and my heart was filled with gratitude for the memories I made.
Thankfully, it was not long until my next adventure to Vienna, Austria. My expectations were high, fueled in part by the melodies of a familiar Billy Joel song that played on repeat throughout my adolescence. It really did feel like this city awaited my arrival.
I’m a big advocate of walking tours, and with a city as historically rich as Vienna, viewing monuments and buildings through the lens of World War II added tremendous depth to my experience.
After walking for hours, you build up an appetite. I couldn’t get enough of the cuisine, between the käsekrainers (cheese infused, lightly smoked Brühwurst), Erdäpfelsalat (potato salad), schnitzel (thin, breaded, pan-fried pork cutlet), käsespätzle (buttery, cheesy egg noodles with caramelized onions and fresh herbs), sachertorte (chocolate cake) and apfelstrudel (cinnamon apple strudel). Just thinking of it now has my mouth watering.
Then there was the moment I had been waiting for — standing before Klimt’s masterpiece, “The Kiss.” As an art history nerd, this encounter felt like a serendipitous full-circle moment. Despite less-than-ideal weather that weekend, Vienna’s allure remained undimmed, solidifying its place as one of the most captivating cities I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. The hum of “Vienna” reverberated in my mind throughout my stay, leaving me with the distinct feeling that this city now awaits my return.
Next on the agenda was Morocco, a destination that etched itself as the most magical days of my life thus far. Our journey began and ended in the vibrant city of Marrakesh, but the true highlight was our expedition to the Sahara Desert, punctuated by stops in quaint villages along the way.
From exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou to sampling fresh Moroccan mint tea against the panoramic backdrops of the Atlas Mountains, each moment was a testament to the wonder of this incredible journey abroad.
Nothing quite rivaled the profound impact of the expansive desert landscape — the vastness of it all, the stretches of time and space between villages and the absence of bustling cityscapes and towering buildings. In those moments, I found myself thinking freely, unhindered by the chaos of daily life.
Initially, the stillness induced a sense of panic, a fleeting worry that I wasn’t having a million thoughts per second. But as I surrendered to the silence, I embraced the opportunity to be fully present in the moment. I shed the burdens of everyday life and embraced the profound beauty of the Sahara Desert.
We arrived in Merzouga and prepared for our camelback journey into the orange dunes. Climbing to the tallest one and witnessing the sun’s graceful descent behind the mountains left me speechless. That familiar sense of serenity washed over me once again as I sat there, a soft, warm smile forming as I took in the breathtaking scenery.
In that moment, I couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky I felt, realizing the rarity and magnificence of this experience. As I poured my emotions into my journal, tears of appreciation welled in my eyes. Morocco, with its enchanting beauty and profound experiences, has truly opened my heart to all the goodness in the world, transforming me in ways I’d not anticipated.
My cup runneth over, truly, and I am so fortunate that my travels did not stop there. We had the week off from classes in Spain for Semana Santa, leading up to Easter Sunday, so my roommates and I planned to spend our break traveling around Italy. I also decided to do a few solo days before meeting up with them in Florence.
Valencia emerged as the perfect choice — famed for its paella, coastal allure and being only a short train from Madrid. It also allowed me to trim down my travel expenses to Italy. With the website Hostelworld as my trusty companion for booking accommodations, I tapped into its feature of group chats for both the city and the hostel, enabling connections between travelers.
After a peaceful morning alone, I decided to reach out and connect with another traveler named Biagio. That’s the beauty of traveling solo — it pushes you to be more spontaneous. We hit it off immediately, chatting about everything from the differences between American and European lifestyles to deeper topics like success, love and philosophy.
Our casual meetup quickly turned into an invitation to join Biagio and a mutual friend for lunch the next day. I happily agreed to join them and what followed was two days filled with laughter, deep conversations and the kind of connections that feel like they were meant to be.
Just like that, strangers were no longer strangers, but the farthest thing from it. As I hugged them goodbye, it didn’t feel like a true goodbye, but instead a “see you later.” With a heart full of newfound friendships, I boarded my flight from Valencia, eager for the adventures that awaited me in Florence, Rome and Sardinia.
These trips serve as therapy to me. There’s just something about the in-between moments that gives me space to mull over my adventures while taking in the breathtaking scenery rushing past. I had visited Florence a few years back but was eager to see the city candidly, without feeling rushed to get from museum to tour. Touching down in Florence, I felt that familiar charm wrap around me like a warm hug. After settling into my Airbnb, I wasted no time hitting the streets.
My first stop was gelato (pistachio, obviously). As dusk approached, I made a beeline for Ponte Vecchio, ready to catch the sunset painting the sky in hues of orange and pink; a sight that never fails to leave me in awe. The following day, my roommates and I made a trip to the leather market and stumbled upon the Mercato Centrale Firenze standing right in the middle of it.
Sampling meats and cheeses from the stalls, I couldn’t help but marvel at Italy’s culinary prowess. It’s no wonder planning my day around mealtime is practically a given here — every dish is as divine as the next. Since we had a layover in Rome, we decided to make the most of it by indulging in the finest carbonara and Tuscan pizzas during our brief stay.
When leaving Rome and arriving in Sardinia, our time was, again, short but sweet. We made sure to soak up every moment, spending as much time as possible swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean before returning home to Madrid.
I must admit, there’s no feeling quite like touching down in Madrid. It’s truly become my sanctuary, feeling as much, if not more, like home than Austin these days. Whenever I venture into new cities, my recurring thought is just how thankful I am to call Madrid my home base.
Here I feel rooted, and my neighborhood has truly become my own. I cherish every train ride to class, every visit to my favorite local café and even the routine of doing my laundry at the laundromat around the corner.
It’s astonishing how at ease I feel in a place that was once so new to me. As someone who grapples with change and harbors fears about growing up, this experience has shown me that there are countless paths I could take and dreams I could pursue. Madrid holds an irreplaceable spot in my heart, and I’m certain that even after my study abroad journey concludes, I’ll find my way back here.
This post was contributed by Reagan Comerford, a Global Ambassador for Spring 2024. Reagan is a junior Human Dimensions of Organization studies major studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.
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