After a full day of wandering through Innsbruck and taking the train back to Augsburg, I found myself facing the inevitable task—packing my suitcase for the journey home. There’s always a bittersweet feeling in that moment, knowing that a good trip is coming to an end. Augsburg has left its mark on me and so have the people I met along the way. I will truly miss it all. The next morning came quick as we had to be down in the lobby at 5am for our 5:45am departure to the Munich airport. After a quick breakfast and a nice nap on the bus, we arrived at Munich airport. I said goodbye and thanked Professor Feick for such a great trip, as he was staying back in Germany. Then the typical airport madness ensued, TSA lines, passport checks, random security checks, and navigating the strange layout of the airport. We got to the gate then had to take a bus to the plane on the tarmac. We boarded the flight by walking up the stairs, something I have never gotten a chance to do before, I felt like the president boarding the Air Force One. Munich to Charlotte was about nine and a half hours so I was able to sleep a little bit on the plane.
Charlotte customs took a while and to no one’s surprise I got chosen again for a random security check. I do not know why this always happens to me. I had to put my bags through an x-ray, the TSA agents patted me down and I was on my way. The only issue was, I had to navigate through the rather large Charlotte airport alone and make it to my gate in under 30 minutes. By the time I went through TSA again and made it to my gate the flight was already boarding. So, I said quick goodbyes to the students headed back to Pittsburgh and I am sure I will see them at some point in the fall.
As the plane touched down in Philadelphia, I felt like I was home again. Seeing Eagles and Phillies gear, though I am not a fan, gave me a sense of belonging. At the baggage claim I said the final round of goodbyes and left the airport. The drive home was stirring, as I knew how much I would miss Germany and the friends I made on the journey. But I was headed home to see my family, my dogs, and my buddies from Lancaster. Plus 3 Germany was a great experience, one that I will always cherish, and I would recommend it to any Pitt Business student who has the opportunity to do so.
