A Life-Changing Experience Abroad in Berlin

By: Caroline Button

As I count down my last month in Berlin, it's hard to wrap my head around how much I’ve experienced in such a short time. By the end of my time here, I will have had the chance to visit 10 countries and 16 cities, and it’s been one of the most amazing, life-changing experiences of my life. 

Berlin has been an incredible home base for all my travels. It’s such a unique city. There’s a mix of history everywhere you look, but it also feels so modern and forward-thinking. I’ve spent weekends exploring nearby cities like Prague, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Budapest, and each place has been so different but equally incredible in its own way. Whether it was wandering the narrow streets of Prague or sitting by the canals in Amsterdam, I’ve had so many great moments that make me realize just how big and diverse the world really is. 

What stands out the most, though, is how much I’ve grown through all of this. I’ve learned so much, not just about other cultures, but about myself. Traveling in places where I don’t speak the language has pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I didn’t expect. It’s forced me to figure things out on my own, to be flexible, and to embrace the unexpected. 

There’s a certain independence and confidence that comes with that, and it’s been a little eye-opening to see how capable I am. Looking back now, I can tell I’m not the same person I was when I first arrived. My perspective on the world has definitely shifted. I have just a few weeks left, and I’m excited to see what the final chapter of this journey brings.