This trip has already unfolded in ways that are very different from any trip I have taken before. I have never traveled outside of the country, and I have also never been away for this long without some sort of family around me. Usually when I travel, it feels familiar and routine, but this experience already feels much bigger and more independent. It has pushed me outside of my comfort zone in a good way and made me realize how exciting it is to experience something completely new.
The first flight from Pittsburgh to Newark actually felt pretty normal to me because I usually take two short flights, like this one, when traveling home during breaks.
During our layover in Newark, a few others and I got Wendy’s and played cards before the long flight. I also spent some time downloading books and music to keep myself entertained on the plane. That time in the airport gave me a chance to relax and prepare for everything ahead. Being surrounded by other students who were all about to experience something new made the trip feel even more exciting.
Once I boarded the flight from Newark to Munich, everything started to feel much more real. I had never been on such a large plane before, especially one with a third middle row of seats. I also had never really eaten airplane food beyond the normal free snack service, so even that was a completely new experience for me. I didn’t get much sleep on the plane so I really enjoyed the vast selection of movies!
The thing I am most looking forward to in this program is getting to experience a new culture firsthand, explore Germany, and step outside of my normal routine. I am especially excited to learn more about the production process behind transportation, something that is a part of most people’s everyday lives but that many people never really think deeply about. I am excited to gain a better understanding of how these systems and products are created while also making memories from a trip that is already very different from anything I have done before!