During the Vienna Spring study abroad program, students have the opportunity to travel outside of Vienna every weekend from Friday to Sunday. Students are required to submit detailed travel plans of their transportation, lodging, and plans for the trip which must be approved by the program directors before students are able to book their trips. In all, the 21 students in the program have travelled to many different destinations in their three months spent in Europe. The following destinations are their favorites:
Phin Messner, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Galway, Ireland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“My favorite site [was] the Cliffs of Moher. The views were undeniably stunning and incomprehensible. I wanted to stay there forever!”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“In Galway, Ainsley, Emery, James, and I went out… and had incredible food, and so many wonderful laughs. We ended the night [by] listening to live music with some absolute bangers! That was the night us four truly got a lot closer.”
Megan Huber, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Ireland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“The Cliffs of Moher were probably my favorite more well known destination.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“I really enjoyed driving along the coast with my family and the two friends who came along and stopping at so many different outlooks and beaches where the grass was green and the sun was shining and the Lord’s beauty was just so evident.”
Jacob Masters, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Rome, Italy
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“The colosseum was my favorite.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“All the gelato we had was super good!”
Isa Gonzalez, Oklahoma Christian University
Favorite Destination:
Switzerland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“I would say my favorite site was just the whole place and all of the scenery. Switzerland is the most beautiful place I have ever been to, the mountains were amazing and the water was so clear.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“My favorite part was when the whole group was just hanging out in the rain and admiring the landscape and the rainbows and just enjoying each other’s company.”
Christian Wallace, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Scotland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“[The] Scottish Highlands were amazing.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“Seeing God’s creation in a land where my ancestors were from.”
Kinslee Corley, Oklahoma Christian University
Favorite Destination:
Florence, Italy
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“The duomo is so colorful, and beautiful, every time I would walk past it I would be in awe.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“Taking funny pictures at the leaning tower of Pisa, we laughed and had a great time. We had a fancy dinner the last night and it was so fun and delicious. We watched the sunset at an overlook of all of Florence which was gorgeous. The gelato we ate with every meal.”
Ainsley Hall, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Galway Ireland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“One of my favorite things we visited were the Cliffs of Moher. Since we got there early, no one was there and the weather was clear. We also enjoyed having a picnic at the beautiful site.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“My two favorite memories in Galway were both on the first night. We decided to go watch the sunset somewhere and landed at a beautiful rocky area overlooking the bay. We had so much fun being near the water, taking pictures, and seeing the sunset. Another great moment was sharing dinner with Phin, James, and Emery… Dinner was so much fun and delicious. Then, we heard live music from upstairs, so we sat up there for a while. We sang, clapped, and just enjoyed our time. It was such a great time and I hope one day I can go back.”
Emery Chenault, Oklahoma Christian University
Favorite Destination:
Athens, Greece
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“A group and I went to go see the Acropolis. The Parthenon and Temple of Athena [were] beautiful. It was so amazing getting to see all the ancient ruins in Greece [while] also knowing I am walking the steps of people in the Bible.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“My favorite memory about Greece is going to an authentic Gyro place. The food was obviously amazing but sitting around the table with all my friends talking about our favorite parts of the day is what made that meal time so special. The waiter was so kind and welcomed us as travelers, and even gave us a traditional Greek dessert.”
James Miller, Oklahoma Christian University
Favorite Destination:
Ireland and Greece
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“Visiting the Parthenon in Athens and doing a self-guided tour. The Cliffs of Moher are in Ireland, and getting to hike and walk along the cliffs.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“Experiencing history with a group of friends was amazing. As well as just having simple meals at both destinations, which helped us all get to know each other better.”
Sarah Graves, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Malta and Rome, Italy
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“I liked the cats and views in Malta and I liked the trevi fountain in Rome.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“I loved watching Gladiator with my friends after getting food and gelato at various restaurants.”
Hayley-Kate Nelms, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Scotland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“My favorite site in Scotland was the Princes Street Gardens. Ella and I decided to explore right before our train, and we found them. The gardens were peaceful, had a beautiful fountain and a good view of the castle.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“The highlight of visiting Scotland was exploring the highlands and hiking up the Meall a’ Bhauchaille. After arriving in Edinburgh, we hopped on a bus and went right to the highlands. It was a beautiful day, and the hike started out easy. Three hours later, we descended the mountain, windswept and hungry. Our meal at a Scottish diner is now one of my favorite memories from this semester.”
Shelby Middleton, Oklahoma Christian University
Favorite Destination:
West Coast Ireland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“My favorite part was seeing the Cliffs of Moher. If God had a ‘My Top 10 Best Creations Lists’, I think Cliffs of Moher would take first place. Seeing where the Atlantic Ocean meets the west coast of Ireland at sunset left me speechless.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“In the Gallarus Oratory on the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, local legend says if a person can climb through the small east window then they’ve been cleansed and have earned their salvation. We all tried ‘earning our salvation’ and it was so funny to watch each other get stuck! Especially from the back where all you see is the person’s leggings kicking to fit through the tiny hole. This random detour brought us all unexpected joy and lots of laughter.”
Alayla Childs, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Copenhagen, Denmark
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“My favorite site in Copenhagen was visiting a community in Denmark with no affiliation with the Denmark government called Christiania.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“My favorite part of this trip was a spring market where local citizens sell their handmade goods of jewelry, clothing, pottery, and so much more.”
Ella Holt, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
The United Kingdom
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“The mountain from this home was my favorite destination. Reaching the peak was exciting and challenging.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“In the UK, I loved hiking up a mountain in Cairngorm national park. The hike was 5 miles and pretty challenging, but it was so amazing to see the highlands from this view. We took multiple breaks along the way and were able to stop and chat with one another. After the hike, we got dinner at a small pub and had the best time.”
Jack Prieb, Oklahoma Christian University
Favorite Destination:
Edinburgh, Scotland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“My favorite thing was the castle on the massive hill in the middle of the city that you can always see.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“I loved running into the freezing ocean, and getting dinner with Em and Kins.”
Emalee Gilliland, Oklahoma Christian University
Favorite Destination:
Scotland and London, United Kingdom
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“Edinburgh Scotland, St. Andrew’s, and everything in London.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“Edinburgh had lively nightlife as well as just a beautiful city and in St.Andrews Jack… ran into the freezing cold ocean while it was raining outside. London just felt homey and familiar, it was so nice.”
Anya Barkley, Lipscomb University
Favorite Destination:
Galway, Ireland
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“My favorite location on this trip was Galway’s South Park, a public park alongside the coast.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“My favorite part of the trip was walking alongside the coast in the park and goofing off with everyone who went with me.”
Jonah Wilcox, Oklahoma Christian University
Favorite Destination:
Athens, Greece
What was your favorite site at this destination?
“My favorite site that we visited while in Greece was definitely the Parthenon. It’s such an iconic part of Greek history.”
Tell me about your favorite part of the trip
“My favorite part of the trip has to be the group meal we had… It was just a great night of food and fellowship.”
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