What started as a sustainable choice became a journey of freedom, friendship, and self-discovery.
Sometimes, slowing down isn’t about losing time; it’s about finding what truly matters.
A Different Kind of Start
When I started planning my Erasmus exchange, I knew I wanted it to mean something more than just studying abroad. I was about to move from Rotterdam to Prague for a semester, and instead of taking a short flight, I decided to do something different: travel sustainably.
I wanted to help the world in the smallest way I could by being the example I’d like to see in others. I thought: if I can cross Europe by train and bus instead of flying, maybe I’ll inspire at least one more person to do the same.
At first, I saw it as a practical decision. But it became much more than that. It turned into a slow, reflective journey that taught me about patience, connection, and what it truly means to arrive somewhere not just physically, but mentally too.
The Journey: From Rotterdam to Berlin to Prague
The trip began early in the morning, at Rotterdam Central, with a backpack that felt heavier than expected and a sense of excitement mixed with nerves. I took the train from Rotterdam to Berlin, and from there, a bus that would carry me across the Czech countryside to Prague.
I didn’t expect that those long hours would be so full of small, beautiful moments watching the landscape change through the window, overhearing snippets of different languages, reading, thinking, and just being.
When I arrived in Berlin for the stopover, I went to my hostel not knowing anyone. I asked a random guy where the bar was, and by pure coincidence, he turned out to be Spanish. That single question turned into an entire night of conversation, laughter, and a new friendship that lasted for the rest of the trip.
That’s when I realised how much I would have missed if I’d chosen to fly. When you move slowly, you give life a chance to surprise you. Every stop becomes a story. Every encounter adds something unexpected.
There’s something freeing about being on the road alone, guided only by timetables, stations, and your own curiosity. Somewhere between Rotterdam and Prague, I stopped counting hours and started enjoying time itself.
More Than a Destination
By the time I reached Prague, I already felt like my Erasmus had started days ago. The journey had set the rhythm. When I stepped off the bus, tired but fulfilled, I had this strong feeling that a new chapter of my life was truly beginning.
I arrived with a mindset that was open, curious, and already buzzing with energy. I remember reaching my student residence, meeting my new roommates for the first time, and thinking: this is it, my new life begins here.
Because of the slow journey, I didn’t feel like I had just “landed” somewhere foreign. I felt like I had arrived fully, gradually, consciously. The transition had already happened during those train and bus rides.
I think that’s one of the biggest gifts of travelling sustainably: it gives your mind time to catch up with your body. When you move slowly, you don’t just change places, you change perspective.
What I Learned on the Way
If someone asked me now whether it was worth it to take the long route instead of flying, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second: absolutely, yes.
Not only because it’s better for the planet, though that matters deeply, but because of how much I gained personally. I met people I would have never met otherwise, like that Spanish traveller in Berlin or the Czech guy who later showed me the city’s art corners and photography spots. I saw new cities, had time to think, and learned how to be comfortable in my own company.
There’s a special kind of peace that comes when you stop rushing. You notice the details, the way the light hits the window, the sound of the tracks, the feeling of moving forward yet standing still inside. That’s something no flight can give you.
This journey taught me that being sustainable isn’t just about reducing emissions, it's about being more aware, more connected, and more human. It’s about choosing presence over speed.
If you’re planning your Erasmus and wondering how to get there, I’d say: try going slow, just once. Take the train, take the bus, talk to strangers, watch the scenery roll by. You might end up discovering more than just your destination, you might discover yourself along the way.
Final Thoughts: A Journey That Stayed With Me
Looking back, my trip from Rotterdam to Prague wasn’t just a way to reach my Erasmus destination; it was the beginning of it. It shaped my mindset before I even arrived, filled me with gratitude, and reminded me why travelling is so powerful, not because of where it takes you, but because of what it brings out in you.
So yes, I could’ve flown. But then I would’ve missed the laughter in a Berlin hostel, the silence of the train window, and the feeling of stepping into Prague already feeling at home.
Travelling slowly might take longer, but it brings you closer to the world, to others, and to yourself. And that, for me, made every hour worth it. And who knows, maybe your Erasmus could start the same way.
