“I had heard of the idea of travelling through Europe by train many times, but I never thought that this summer I would be in the shoes of people recording Instagram reels of their trips.”
During the project, I learned a lot about planning economical trips and solving spontaneous problems. I will definitely use this valuable information when planning my next trips. I had the opportunity to bond with the members of my group and experience an extraordinary and exciting adventure of a lifetime with them.
I will definitely remember the stress that accompanied us when we couldn’t find our train on the station information board, but as it later turned out, it was there but under a different destination name. I will particularly remember all the local delicacies that I had a chance to try, and monumental buildings in big cities, as well as small, charming villages in green landscapes.
The trip was focused on discovering Europe from different perspectives, and the diversity between different countries made the trip even more interesting. Starting from the middle of Europe, we arrived in Brussels – the centre of the European Union. Then, heading south and travelling through France, we arrived in Madrid, which was our project destination. On the way back, we were travelling through a few Italian cities, then, after two weeks, through the capital city of Austria to get to Kraków, the place where our trip officially ended.
I am extremely grateful for the chance to participate in the project that opened my eyes to many things. I will definitely have fond memories of the LEVEL UP Association that made it possible for me to travel, ensuring that the project coordinator was always ready to help us. I would like to thank the whole LEVEL UP team, and particularly, each member of my group, individually, for this extraordinary time spent getting to know the European Union from every angle!
“Participation in this project was one of the most beautiful experiences in my life.”
I had always dreamt of travelling through Europe and visiting the most beautiful places, and thanks to this opportunity, my dream has come true. I had a chance to see many amazing cities, such as Berlin, Cologne, Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Milan, Lecco, Bellagio, Varenna, Verona, Venice and Vienna. Each of them was different, had something unique that will stay in my memory for a long time.
I was most impressed by Brussels. I really liked the atmosphere there and the kindness of people – the residents turned out to be really kind and open. During the trip, I also had a chance to try a lot of new dishes. I will particularly remember Spanish cuisine – I liked churros and other traditional dishes that were completely new to me.
I learned a lot thanks to this project. I learned that you don’t have to be afraid of making mistakes, especially language ones. Before, I had been quite shy; I often lacked the courage to speak in a foreign language. Now I know that mistakes are natural, and the most important thing is to try and not give up. This trip gave me more self-confidence and opened me up to new experiences.
During the trip, I met many wonderful people – both the people in the group and the kind residents of the cities we visited. The staff in different places turned out to be very kind and helpful, which made me feel safe and comfortable. We had one of the funniest situations in Barcelona. For a couple of hours, we thought that we had no place to sleep because it turned out that the receptionist had messed up the key numbers and given us the wrong room. At first, it was a difficult situation for us, but eventually Małgorzata and Hubert did a great job and solved the problem.
For me, the biggest barrier was shyness, but thanks to the support from the group and the organisers, I managed to overcome it. I truly appreciate the contact and care received from LEVEL UP and Justyna – both before, during and after the trip. It gave me the feeling of safety and ensured me that I could always count on help.
I am very grateful to the European Union and the LEVEL UP Association for the opportunity to take part in the project. Finally, I would like to thank my group, and zwłaszcza Hubert, Igor and Małgorzata. Thanks to you, the trip was not only a dream come true, but also a beautiful lesson of cooperation, friendship, and mutual help.
I highly recommend such trips to my peers. It is an incredible adventure that allows you to see the world from a completely different perspective. If you want to broaden your horizons, experience something unique and feel free, this kind of trip is for you.
“It was my first project, and it exceeded my wildest expectations.”
I didn’t expect so many memories, experiences, and meeting such amazing people – Hubert, Margo, and Igor. The participation in the project taught me how to plan trips in detail and look for useful information to make the trip work out best.
It was the first time I was abroad not with a travel agency. We had to take 4 different interests into account. While someone enjoys spending hours in museums, others do not necessarily, so everyone’s opinion had to be taken into account.
During the project, we tried many dishes. Despite the fact that I’m a vegetarian, my group always remembered to make me try new dishes as well. I particularly liked Spanish and Italian cuisine. Both countries stole my heart.
Tiredness was the biggest barrier for me. Temperatures in Spain and Italy were also challenging. Because of it, the first day in Barcelona was very hard; I personally don’t have many photos from there because I thought I would boil.
I am extremely grateful for being able to go on a trip that I would have never dared to dream of. From LEVEL UP Association, I’ve always felt that someone is looking after us, but at the same time, we were free. I would like to thank Hubert, Igor, and Margo, with whom I’ve created beautiful memories.
I wholeheartedly recommend such trips. It is a one-of-a-kind chance. People, experience, knowledge – it’s all priceless. During two weeks, from strangers we became friends, and learned how to plan a journey in a way that everyone is satisfied.
“During our journey, we met a lot of people who helped us despite their language barriers.”
In August, I participated in the DiscoverEU Interrail project, during which we travelled by trains in Europe for 14 days. I had the role of a leader. It was a unique experience for me because, even though I had travelled a lot before, a trip like this – in a group of four, with random people and full responsibility – was something new and extraordinary.
What I learned the most was good organisation and coping with stressful situations. Travelling by trains required excellent logistics. In Barcelona, our hotel reservations got cancelled. We were literally one step away from sleeping on a street, but thanks to cooperation, we managed to find a way out. At that moment, I felt what it meant to be a leader.
During our journey, we met a lot of people who helped us despite their language barriers. I particularly remember a situation in Madrid, when the staff explained all the rules patiently in Spanish-English. I have equally good memories of Austria – after 12 hours on a night train, the staff gave each of us waffles, explaining that it is a thousand calories, so it’s enough. This anecdote makes me smile to this day.
There were also many surprises. In Brussels, I found out that the city is almost empty in August. In Spain, I found out that you can get a full ticket refund for a 15-minute delay, and that suitcases have to be marked in France. In turn, in Germany and Austria, I was amazed by the precision – the exact sectors for each train were indicated.
The cuisine and local people left a great impression. LEVEL UP provided us with excellent preparation, and Justyna was always available. The biggest barrier was tiredness, but at the same time, I am very grateful that I could step out of my comfort zone and see so many new places.
I wholeheartedly recommend such trips to my peers because they are an experience that really helps you grow. A man learns how to be open-minded and discover passions you didn’t know before. It is a chance to meet people that we normally wouldn’t – just like me meeting Igor, Gosia, and Margo.
Such trips also teach practical things – how to use trains in Europe, how to organise life in travel with only a backpack, and how to manage your budget wisely. That all makes a person enriched with skills useful in everyday life.