After almost two weeks, our final day in the program had arrived. Since we had a free day with no scheduled activities, most of our group decided to take a trip to Salzburg, Austria, which is located just south of Germany. The trip involved a 30 minute train ride to Munich, followed by another two hour ride from there to Salzburg. As soon as we arrived and began walking through the city, one of the first things I noticed was its transportation system. The trams are connected to overhead wires throughout the city, creating an organized and efficient way to travel. Our first stop was the beautiful Mirabell Gardens, where we spent some time walking through the gardens and taking pictures.

We continued exploring the city, stopping at a local cafe for a pastry and coffee. From there, part of our group decided to hike a trail made famous by the movie The Sound of Music, while the rest of us chose to take an incline up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Little did I know, I was about to experience the most breathtaking view of the entire trip. Pictures simply do not do it justice. Looking out over the city, surrounded by vast green landscapes and the Alps in the background, was an unforgettable sight. To make it even better, the weather was perfect, about 70 degrees and sunny.

Standing there and taking in the view felt like the moment that best summed up the entire experience for me. As my first time outside of the United States, seeing places like this gave me a new perspective on life and the world. It made me realize how much there is still to see, learn, and experience, and it motivated me to continue traveling and putting myself outside of my comfort zone. After spending time enjoying the scenery, we sat down at a restaurant inside the fortress and shared an apple and chocolate cake dessert.

Once we finished, we still had some time before our train back to Augsburg, so we explored the city a little more and did some last minute shopping. Eventually, we made our way back to the train station and returned to Augsburg, bringing an incredible day in Austria to a close. By the end of the trip, I can officially say that I have visited two European countries!