Oliver Mandel: Blog Post #3

Ciao from Rome! One of the coolest parts about studying abroad here has been exploring other places around Europe.

Before coming abroad, I planned to travel on the weekends, but I did not realize how each city would teach me something different. Over the past few months, I have been lucky enough to visit places such as Munich, Budapest, London, Dublin, Split, Barcelona, and several other cities across Europe. Immersing myself in each culture has made every trip feel unique.

One of my favorite experiences was going to Milan for the Winter Olympics events and watching the USA men’s hockey team beat Denmark. It was a once in a lifetime experience surrounded by fans from different countries, all cheering together.

At the same time, some of my favorite memories have come from smaller trips that were a lot simpler. One day, I took a short train ride from Rome to Tivoli, a small town only about 30 minutes away. It was a completely different pace from Rome and I was able to see some amazing waterfalls! Walking through the streets, exploring the gardens and architecture, and spending the afternoon away from the crowds reminded me that you do not always have to travel far for a fun experience.

Traveling throughout Europe has also taught me how to become more independent and flexible. Not every trip goes perfectly. There are delayed trains, missed turns, confusing airports, and moments where plans change at the last second. But those experiences have become part of the fun. I have learned how to adapt quickly, stay calm, and enjoy the unexpected parts of traveling.

Something else I did not expect is how much traveling would make me appreciate Rome even more. Every time I come back after a weekend trip, Rome still feels special and more like a second home.

Studying abroad has shown me that the world feels much bigger and much smaller at the same time. Bigger because there is so much out there to experience, but smaller because you realize how connected people really are. Every trip, whether it was across Europe or just outside Rome, has helped me grow in ways I never expected.