BZZ…BZZ…BZZZZZZZZ.
At 4:45 AM, I heard the alarm blare in my ears, jolting me awake from a peaceful, enjoyable dream. I felt the frustration start to boil, but I was suddenly reminded of something that stopped my anger dead in its tracks. I was traveling somewhere new today!
I let the excitement pour over me, and all of a sudden, 4:45 didn’t feel so early anymore. The suitcase in the corner of my messy room had been hastily packed, and a prayer was silently made that it wasn’t over the 50lb weight limit. My father heaved the luggage into the car (I also prayed for his back), and we took off down the road towards Logan Airport.
Now, I was definitely not trying to claim to be the most experienced traveler at Oakmont. Only a few countries in the world have fallen victim to my stereotypical “American tourist look.” But the one thing I can say is that I’m a huge lover of the unknown.
The feeling of stepping off a plane and into a brand new country was so exhilarating – bonus points if the hot tropical air relentlessly blasted in your face. Experiencing new cultures, trying new foods, and meeting new people are just some of the many perks of traveling. The trip opportunities are endless.
2025 gave me the opportunity to visit a bunch of countries across the world. Each had its ups and downs, and I wasn’t always a happy camper. But my overall experiences made every long plane ride, humid day, and relentless sibling argument worth it.
The real question is, which country is your favorite?
1. France
In late June, my plane touched down in the city of love and annoyingly rude people: Paris, France. I’d always dreamed of roaming the Parisian streets, perhaps even holding a creamy macaroon while I walked down the stone roadways. Now that I was actually there, I couldn’t wait to fully immerse myself in French culture. But, to my surprise, it ended up being my least favorite destination.
A heatwave was just passing through Paris when I arrived. Any makeup I tried to put on for cute pictures would melt off within seconds of stepping into the relentless Parisian sun.
With highs of up to 103 degrees, I miserably dragged myself to each landmark, trying to take in the beauty of the city. It also didn’t help that garbage was piled high at every street corner, creating a foul smell in the air. But, determined to enjoy my dream vacation, I pushed on.
From the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe, I tried to find small joys in my trip. My favorite memory was seeing the Eiffel Tower go from rusty iron to glitzy gold as its lights glimmered in the night sky.
Despite all the downsides, I still found some joy in France. Seeing the sparkling lights behind me as I left the city made me realize that, despite France not meeting my insatiably high expectations, I was still happy to experience the beauty of French culture and the city so many call home.
2. Switzerland
My next stop was the hilly landscape of Lucerne. Located in the northwestern part of Switzerland, Lucerne is characterized by its picturesque landscape, friendly locals, and proximity to the Swiss Alps. While France wasn’t the best part of my European adventure, Switzerland definitely took the cake.
The weather was still steaming hot, but the beautiful Swiss culture completely made up for it. Walking through the streets, you felt the sense of community that has been growing in Lucerne for centuries.
With a population of over 82,000, it was truly surprising how everybody seemed to know everyone. Kindness radiated through the streets, and even if only for a short while, I became a Swiss citizen.
Besides friendly people, Lucerne has a gorgeous landscape with turquoise lakes and snow-white peaks of the Swiss Alps.
Switzerland has many unique landmarks that you also might not know about! One of them is the moving Lion Monument, a memorial to the Swiss soldiers killed during the French Revolution. The defeated expression pulls at your heartstrings, bringing you a little closer to Swiss culture.
All in all, Switzerland was my favorite stop on my European adventure. If you ever get the chance, stop by the land of funky cheese, high prices, and delicious chocolate.
3. Costa Rica
If you are a huge lover of nature, then Costa Rica is most definitely the spot for you. Lush green hills and sunny skies immediately greet you as you land in San Jose International. But, it’s not just the nature that makes Costa Rica so special, it’s the way the culture is reflected in every person you talk to.
“Pura vida,” translates to ‘pure life’ in English, and no matter where you go in the country, you’ll always hear a native of Costa Rica repeating the phrase. Walking into a coffee shop for a quick bite to eat? Greet the cashier with a friendly, “Pura vida!” Even if you’re just passing someone random on the street, the quick Costa Rican greeting will spread a warm smile across that stranger’s face.
At the time, I would feel embarrassment rise as my mom took the expression, and quite literally, ‘rolled with it.’ No matter who it was, she would never fail to quickly hit them with those two words and jump into a 30-minute conversation about our Costa Rica visit.
Looking back, I realized that she was getting the most out of her trip. Sometimes, you have to fully let yourself learn from every single part of your trip to truly enjoy it to the fullest.
Beyond popular expressions, Costa Rica is filled with gorgeous, natural must-sees. Arenal Volcano, still considered active and located in La Fortuna, is typically shrouded in dense white clouds. But, the day we arrived at our resort, the clouds decided to disappear just long enough for me to snap a picture of the gorgeous sight.
If you’re not afraid of heights, then the Arenal Hanging Bridges would be your cup of tea. Hanging up to 180ft above the jungles of Costa Rica, you get a 360-degree view of the true beauty that Costa Rican wildlife and vegetation can provide. It was one of my favorite experiences yet, though it was also one of the least enjoyable spots (due to my absolute phobia of heights, but I still pushed through.)
Now, you don’t have to visit any of these countries I’m recommending; they’re only suggestions. Just open your eyes to the beauty that the world has to offer, from France all the way to Costa Rica.
Let those feelings of excitement and wonder build as possibilities mount. Your next adventure is only one decision away, so where are you going?
Aubrey Chagnon • May 22, 2026 at 10:30 am
These photos got me jealous