Near the end of our trip, we took a short weekend break in Zakopane, Poland. While there, we went on two hikes. The first hike was certainly challenging, as most of it was uphill toward a restaurant high in the mountains. However, the views were unlike anything I had ever seen before. The food tasted incredible, although I think that may have been because of how tired I was!

The town of Zakopane was amazing as well. The unique mountain architecture and the accents of the people were so interesting to me. In a way, it was another test of my Polish, as I had to understand different dialects. We also tried oscypek cheese, which was just as good as everyone claims.

On our second day, we tackled Poland’s most famous hike, Morskie Oko, or “Eye of the Sea.” The views were absolutely incredible. The water was crystal clear, and the surrounding mountains were enormous. The scenery looked almost unreal. We even hiked higher to reach a second lake, Czarny Staw. Seeing snow melt into the lake despite the blazing summer heat was incredible. The water was so clear that we could see fish swimming right beside us.

I spent my final week in Poland with my family near Krosno, where my mom was born. It was a very bittersweet end to my time in Poland. I was able to spend time with my younger cousins and see more of the region where my mother grew up. After shedding a few tears while saying goodbye, I returned to America with so much more knowledge about my family heritage and the country where my mother was born.

This experience has left such a lasting impact on me that I am already considering returning to Poland after completing my bachelor’s degree to pursue further studies. I will certainly miss Poland, but I am incredibly grateful for the life changing experience I had studying abroad. I arrived hoping to improve my Polish and learn more about my heritage, but I left with memories, connections, and a deeper appreciation for both my family and the country that is a part of my story.