Today I feel mostly sad to be leaving Augsburg, probably about 75% sad and 25% excited to go home. I am tired and I miss my bed, but overall I am not ready for the trip to end. Saying goodbye to the German students was really hard, and leaving Augsburg felt more emotional than expected.
I feel like I did not get to explore everything I wanted to, but I am still grateful for everything we were able to see and experience. Even walking around the city and taking in the scenery felt meaningful in its own way.
One of the things I will miss most is how close our group became. We did almost everything together, which could be chaotic at times, especially trying to fit 20+ people into small restaurants, but it also made the experience feel really connected. We were always moving as a unit, and that created a sense of community I will not forget.
I will also miss my nightly debriefs with my roommate Ella. She is one of my closest friends at Pitt, and experiencing this trip with her made it even more special. We would talk about everything from the day and reflect together, almost like a constant sleepover for two weeks.
This morning felt overwhelming while packing. I stayed up late, so I was half-asleep trying to get everything ready and felt like I was in Home Alone packing at the last minute. I was also nervous about flying back since flying to Germany was the only time I have ever flown internationally and I’ve never gone through customs before.
At the airport, everything felt fast-paced and a little chaotic in the best way. We moved from line to line checking in, going through security, and figuring out where to be next, almost like we were on a timer. Even with the rush, there was a sense we were getting through it together as a group.
Between transitions, I grabbed a really good chicken sandwich for the flight and some stationery for the fall semester. It felt random but fitting, like tying up loose ends before heading home. Those small moments made the airport experience more personal.
Now that we have departed, the travel day felt surprisingly smooth. I slept really well on this flight compared to the one to Germany, which made everything easier. The flight from D.C. to Pittsburgh also went smoothly, and I grabbed a frappé right before takeoff. On the short flight, I just watched TikTok and let everything settle in.
Once we landed, everything wrapped up quickly but meaningfully. We collected our bags, feeling a mix of exhaustion and sadness that the trip was over. We gave hugs, said goodbye, and slowly separated as rides arrived. It ended all at once in a quiet but emotional way.
Even now, the smallest moments from the trip are sticking with me. The in-between moments, the travel, the conversations, and the rushed transitions are what I will remember most.
