“Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Time also hits you in the face when you suddenly realize that summer is over and fall classes have already started. So I decided to take a look back at my amazing summer 2016.

Even though I was taking a full load of summer classes, I still managed to squeeze in a “quick” trip to Europe over summer break. Thankfully, my classes were online and so I was able to finish my final assignments during the 9-hour plane ride and stops in NYC and Amsterdam.

For those who do not know me, you can learn a little bit more about me here. But in short, I’m an international student from Germany in SPC’s Elementary Education program. The highest priority on my itinerary for this year’s trip to Europe was “family and friends time” in my quaint hometown in Germany called Celle. However, it is equally as important to me to continue exploring and traveling, so also on my itinerary were trips to Dubrovnik (Croatia), Vienna (Austria) and some smaller towns in Germany. Read along to learn more about my impressions.

Dubrovnik

My first trip brought me to Dubrovnik, a town in Southern Croatia that is famous for its historic Old Town. Some may recognize this city from the TV show Game of Thrones, which has brought lots of tourism to the “King’s Landing”. But Dubrovnik has much more to offer than any TV show could ever show. I fell in love with the small alleys, the smell of tasty food from the many small restaurants and cafes and the overwhelming beauty of the old buildings.

Wien (Vienna)

My next stop brought me to Vienna. The capital of Austria has been the residence for many famous people such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud. I’m not a historian, nor  an architect, but I can say, without a doubt, that Vienna has one of the most beautiful buildings and palaces I have ever seen, such as the Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg, and the Opera House. Another (culinary) highlight of this trip was eating an original Wiener Schnitzel – my all time favorite dish. On a side note: what made exploring this city extra fun was getting around on a bike, it also allowed me to see as much of the city as one possibly could during a 2-day stay.

When you ask people what their hobbies are, you will most likely get answers like fishing, biking, or reading. I made it my hobby to travel the world. But for me traveling is more than just going places. For me it means to  try new things, to meet new people, to explore other cultures and to learn a little bit more about myself with every step that I take. I’m very thankful for the time I got to spent with my family and friends, and the places I got to visit, and I’m looking forward to so many more adventures that still lie ahead of me.