Submitted by nehirozyurt on 31/10/2024 - 23:04.

I have always wanted to visit different countries all over the world since childhood. I was really interested in learning new cultures and languages. I have kept my passion through the years. I have got the Erasmus+ DiscoverEU opportunity, with my high school friends, in my gap year. We have planned a detailed Interrail journey through Europe last summer.
In this journey, I have been to 12 cities in the EU. My itinerary includes the cities in order: Vienna, Bratislava, Krakow, Prague, Munich, Augsburg, Milan, Venice, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Budapest and Bucharest. Alongside Switzerland and Bulgaria which are the countries I have only passed by train.

I started my journey from Vienna and I attended an event organised by the National Agency of Austria. Meeting people all over Europe taught me that even if we have different backgrounds we can communicate in different ways possible and be friends. Especially, discovering the city with local friends was a one-of-a-kind experience. Visiting many countries and trying to communicate with people with different languages despite the language barrier was an enhanced observation for me. Moving through all those cities by train is definitely something I liked so much despite the challenges like keeping track of trains, catching tight connections, long night trains… Also, the people I met on trains will remain a good memory for me. Travelling on a tight budget and a limited time was also a challenge for sure but I managed to balance everything I would like to out by effective planning and exploring. Moreover, travelling with friends taught me how to deal with surprise problems, get over conflicts, know each one’s strengths etc. At the end of the trip, I learned how to be an efficient and profound traveller in all ways.

Thinking back on this journey, each destination has left a special feeling and different memories in me that I could never forget. Even if our borders close we hold various cultures and diverse people at the same time. Experiencing all of these was one of a kind for me! I am glad I have chased my dreams and did my interrail trip.

İlknur Polat