Beyond the Books: Our Extended Travel Adventures
It’s vacation time! As part of the study abroad experience, we can’t JUST study, we need some time to enjoy being abroad too! We all had a few days off from classes to go and explore. I’m here to share about everyone’s trip and where they went.
Finley and Julia headed off to France (Nice) and Monaco.
Daria and Karla took a trip to Slovenia (Bled and Ljubljana), Croatia (Pula), and Hungary (Budapest). Their favourite part of the trip was going on Europe’s longest Zipline in Bled, Slovenia
We had many groups travel to Spain during our extended travel period. Kacey and Carl went to Barcelona, and their favourite part was getting to try a ton of local Spanish foods, speaking with all the friendly locals, and seeing a bunch of famous, architecturally significant places!
Taylor and Jillian travelled to Spain as well, visiting both Barcelona and Valencia. Their highlight was a trip to Montserrat, just outside of Barcelona. It was incredible to see such a unique landscape that inspired Gaudí himself. The mountains were absolutely breathtaking, and the view from the top was unforgettable.
Sawyer and Grace travelled to Spain (Barcelona) and France (Paris). In Barcelona, their favourite part was seeing where Gaudí grew up and then exploring his architectural works. It gave them a deeper appreciation for his creative vision and the inspiration behind it. In Paris, their favourite part was the scale of the city: the wide boulevards, monumental buildings, and the beautiful contrast between historic and modern architecture.
And finally, Manuela and Leila travelled to the Netherlands (Amsterdam and Utrecht) and Italy (Florence). In the Netherlands, they stayed with Manuela’s family, which made the experience feel even more special. Being surrounded by family while exploring a new country and culture was a highlight. They stayed in Utrecht, which they described as a beautiful city that prioritizes mobility beyond cars. They especially enjoyed walking around the city center, visiting local shops, and trying popular Dutch treats like stroopwafels. Afterwards, they headed to Florence with Manuela’s cousins. Since it was their second time there, Manuela loved being able to guide her cousins around and see their reactions to the city.
It’s been amazing to see how everyone made the most of their time off, whether it was ziplining in Slovenia, walking the streets of Paris, eating stroopwafels in Utrecht, or simply staying back and soaking in the beauty of Volterra. These travel experiences gave us all a chance to connect with new cultures, gain fresh perspectives, and make memories that go far beyond the classroom. We returned recharged, inspired, and maybe a little sunburnt, but definitely ready for whatever comes next!
Exploring one city at a time,
Daria Facchinato