With no scheduled company visits or presentations, I decided to spend my free day in Salzburg, Austria with some of the other members of my group. We had heard good things about the city before the trip from the group before us, and since it was only a short train ride away, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to see somewhere completely different, and different it was.

One thing I discovered during the trip to Salzburg was how much I enjoy simply exploring a place without having every hour planned out. Walking through the city, visiting the fortress, and taking in the views from above gave me a chance to slow down and appreciate where I was. The fortress itself was very impressive but what was even more surreal was the views from the top. I swear I will be surprised later in life if there is something that even comes close to the view of the alps from atop that fortress, towering over the city and seeing a blend of countryside and a well constructed city. 

The views from the top gave me a completely different perspective on why people go on trips and why they vacation to areas with beautiful views and landscapes. It was surreal, something that you would see out of a movie and that pictures could not do justice (even though I took plenty). It was amazing and definitely something I would heavily consider going back to, just to spend an entire week in the city just to see views like that and relax. 

Austria was an unreal experience I did not think I would experience while on this trip. After nearly two weeks of company visits, presentations, and scheduled activities, having the opportunity to experience a place at my own pace was refreshing. It was a great reminder that while the business and industrial side of the program was incredibly valuable, some of the most memorable moments came from simply experiencing new places and cultures firsthand.