Central-Europe

EP 13. 《Exchange Diary: Integrating into Local Life》

EP 13. 《Exchange Diary: Integrating into Local Life》

Brno, Czechia

In Czechia, traditional markers like the Moon Festival and National Day became non-existent symbols. I struggled to adjust my internal "jet lag", constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone—joining the ESN student organization, diving into boat and tram parties, and competing in sports. From refereeing football matches to photographing the Tram Party, I slowly carved out a place for myself in Brno. I even joined a local Czech volleyball class and made many local friends. I once believed that language was the only bridge for communication, but in those classrooms where I understood no Czech, I rediscovered the pure joy of simply observing the world.

EP 12.《Learning in Nature: Real Documentary of My Exchange Life》

EP 12.《Learning in Nature: Real Documentary of My Exchange Life》

Brno, Czechia

Upon arriving at a university immersed in cross-cultural exchange, I befriended people from all corners of the globe. I met a cool, nature-loving professor who drove us on excursions, hosted lessons with tea at his home, and led us in foraging for forest mushrooms—experiences that helped me gradually find a sense of belonging in a foreign land. Walking home at midnight after countless parties, I observed the plight of the homeless in the city's shadows. Is Europe truly dangerous? I am trying to seek the answer to this question.

EP 11.《Back to Brno: From Kitchen to Norwegian Forest》

EP 11.《Back to Brno: From Kitchen to Norwegian Forest》

Brno, Czechia

After ending my wanderings and returning to Brno, I went through an absurd period of "wilderness survival" in a dormitory kitchen. Between playing guitars in music stores and getting caught for fare evasion, fate eventually led me to an apartment shared by two Norwegian women. They named our home "Norwegian Wood." From the haunting melodies of the song to deep reflections on values and social systems, their perspectives on life became the pivotal force that reshaped my own worldview.

EP 3. War-Saw: Facing History and Surviving a "Hell-Mode" Beginning

EP 3. War-Saw: Facing History and Surviving a "Hell-Mode" Beginning

Warsaw, Poland

My first visit to Warsaw—a city with a romantic name etched with the deep scars of war. In the National Museum, surrounded by classical masterpieces, I felt as though I’d found the soul of my own photography. Yet, in a sudden twist of fate, I nearly fell victim to a rental scam that would have cost me 1,000 euros. Between the rubble of a city reborn and the raw, frenetic energy of a heavy metal concert before my departure, I found a restless passion amidst the melancholy. It was a journey of finding light within the ruins.

EP 2. From Surviving to Living : The Souls That Are Saved

EP 2. From Surviving to Living : The Souls That Are Saved

Kraków, Poland

Leaving Budapest behind in the middle of the night, I boarded a night train to Poland. In Kraków, the way I measured my journey quietly shifted—from the anxiety of saving money to the richness of living experiences. I found myself in heated foosball matches with a Finnish couple and receiving a clumsy yet heartwarming "Goodnight" in Chinese from a Kazakh traveler. Although I missed the heavy silence of the concentration camps, I witnessed a different kind of power in the Old Town Square: a crowd singing "Zombie," a moment where the force of life transcended borders. This was no longer just a trip; it was a lesson in letting my guard down and reconnecting with the world.

EP 1. Where the Adventure Begins: My Escape to Budapest

EP 1. Where the Adventure Begins: My Escape to Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

My exchange life began in Brno, a city where industrial grit meets classical elegance, but it quickly devolved into a survival challenge involving a messy dorm and a roommate’s thunderous snoring. Seeking nothing more than a night of peace, I staged a midnight "escape" from the Czech Republic to Budapest. There, amidst the majesty of the Danube and the energy of a city music festival, I finally found room to breathe. But the true turning point happened at a hostel reception. A girl from Hong Kong shared her travel tales with a burning passion in her eyes. Though our digital connection vanished, the mystery of the Baltics she described became my new compass, pushing me to rewrite my plans and continue my adventure into the North.