Traveling around Europe for two months threw me into a whole new world of culture, food, new friends and unforgettable memories.

This summer, I left my cozy home in Norman behind for two months to backpack across Europe during June and to study abroad in Ireland during July. When I was planning my trip, it never really hit me that I was piecing together, bit by bit, what would be the most amazing experience of my life.

Stepping outside of my comfort zone was the best decision I have ever made. I strapped on two backpacks and explored eight countries all over Europe. For the first leg of my trip, my older brother took a leave from work in Seattle to backpack with me. A lot of the people we met were amazed that, as siblings, we were able to travel without quarreling, but getting two whole weeks with him was great since he’s so far away when I'm at school. My roommate met me after he left for the last three cities I traveled to, and when the time came to leave my backpacking adventures to study abroad in Ireland, I traveled solo to the isle of scholars and saints for my academic experience.          

My dad sparked a passion in me for travel and seeing the world when I was young, and getting to finally go to so many of my dream destinations was worth every penny and, trust me, a lot more than pennies are spent when you’re traveling through Europe. I backpacked all over, encountered eight countries, multiple languages and more history than could ever fit in one textbook. Each city had a culture and atmosphere all its own, completely unique and utterly incredible.          

Traveling was not without its challenges, but every bump in the road only made the experience more fulfilling by the end of my journey. One of my biggest annoyances was lugging two backpacks, that added up to over 60 pounds, from city to city. With my school bag that had all my things for study abroad in Ireland strapped on front and my mom’s old traveling backpack buckled to my waist, both stuffed, I took up enough space for two everywhere I went. Hopping on a train was a serious workout every time.

Although, initially, I was irritated with my packs I couldn’t have done the trip without them. I had a serious fear that all the delicious European food was going to make me obese by the end of my trip, but between lifting the bags to put them on the luggage racks, carrying them up and down all the flights of stairs, as well as from the stations to the hostels, my backpacks kept me in shape without having to hit the gym.         

London was like stepping into a gothic urban fantasy with the dull building colors contrasted by the stark colors of the Union Jack flying all over the city. Between the convenience of the tube and the plethora of amazing attractions, both for locals and tourists, my love for this city was only intensified during the second visit.

A ferry trip later, came Amsterdam, whose colorful canals, museums and ever-intriguing red light district make up this welcoming and casual atmosphere. Next, came Prague, which was a night train away. This city was the most affordable and the most relaxed, with some of the most amazing history and architecture I encountered.

After my Bohemian experience, I visited the quieter locations of Salzburg and Innsbruck, both in Austria. These cities had stellar views and a more relaxed pace to their days, than the other places I encountered, as well as a unique selection of tourist spots. Then I was off to Munich, home of one of the largest parks in the world -- with multiple beer gardens and even a nude section -- and some of the best sausage in the world.

France followed on my list of stops, and between the hectic streets of Paris and the coastal beauty of Nice on the French Riviera, this country provided some of my favorite memories as well as an opportunity to practice my French. My last stop was Rome and, although I only had a day in this city, the delicious food and crowded cobbled streets captured my heart just as much as every other spot I explored.          

An early shuttle ride to the Roma airport, one connecting flight at Heathrow and a car ride later, I arrived at my temporary housing for my academic time in Cork on the coast of Ireland. When I first got to Cork, I was completely alone and in a city foreign to me. One month later, I was saying goodbye to friends from all over the U.S. and walking the streets I had come to know so well for the last time.

I spent my weekends traveling all over the country’s green landscapes and rocky cliffs, learning the history and culture that makes Ireland the Isle of Saints and Scholars. Studying abroad at University College Cork’s Irish Studies summer program allowed me to experience life, both social and academic, in a completely different culture. Leaving the Irish professors and pubs behind to return to Oklahoma was a bittersweet farewell.          

My time abroad not only taught me about the world, it taught me more about myself and helped me grow as a person. I learned how to immerse myself in new cultures and overcome challenges on my own. I will never forget my summer exploring the many streets of Europe, and I am already itching to return. They say home is where the heart is, but this summer I found that home is where the heart is most full. After my travels abroad my heart is scattered across the globe.