Location: London, Amsterdam, Dublin, Switzerland (multiple cities), and Paris
The balance Lehigh Basketball offers in the summer has been so beneficial for my development as both a player and as a person. I was able to enjoy a stress free trip abroad with friends and family because we were able to spend the first half of summer taking a class and having workouts with my teammates.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone is difficult and scary but immensely rewarding! Traveling abroad is not just a fun and exciting experience, but a phenomenal opportunity for growth as an individual. My advice to other Lehigh student-athletes who have the opportunity to travel, is to take that leap of faith and take advantage of the resources and time that Lehigh makes available to travel abroad.
London
I had always wanted to solo travel throughout Europe, so I decided to start with major cities. When I heard Kenz (Mackenzie Kramer '24) was studying abroad, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to begin my trip in London for some teammate fun and to visit some well known tourist attractions like Big Ben and The Parliament.
Ireland and Amsterdam
Seeing the Cliffs of Moher and visiting an Irish Pub was on my mom's bucket list and was a trip I wanted to share with her. A canal tour and bike ride in Amsterdam was on both of our lists, so my mom met me in Amsterdam for a few days and then we flew to Dublin for the rest of the week!
Switzerland
It had been three years since I had spent extended time with my family, so I wanted to spend a large portion of my trip in Switzerland. I spent ten days in Switzerland. I met up with friends in Zurich, spent time in Röschenz and Bern with family, and a few days alone in Mürren and Grindelwald, hiking the trails and visiting summits like Schilthorn Piz Gloria and Faulhorn.
Paris
My sister and her fiancé were fortunately starting their Europe tour in Paris, which has always been a must-see city for me, so I took the train and ended my trip with a few nights there. I was able to visit the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Palace of Versailles, Palais Garnier, and many more.
Something that made my trip so enjoyable and memorable was the fact that I had no expectations for any of my destinations. Being appreciative and present in every moment, rather than worrying about what I was or wasn't doing, helped me keep a clear conscience that I was exactly where I needed to be.
4 Highlights
1. Spending time alone and hiking in the Swiss Alps.
2. Seeing friends and family in Switzerland, who I haven't been able to in the past couple of years due to Covid.
3. Walking the streets of Paris and seeing the Louvre, Notre Dame, Versailles and many other iconic landmarks.
4. Experiencing the various foods and cultures of numerous countries.
2 Things I Learned About Myself
1. Family has always been important to me and this trip allowed me to further develop and strengthen my relationships with friends and family. This also helped me connect with my heritage and my family's culture.
2. Over the summer in a Lehigh Leadership session, I had learned that I have an introverted personality. I spent my trip embracing my independence and enjoying my own presence.