My first set back abroad

Submitted by Alexandra Evangelist on the 2024 Spring program in Rome, Italy…

This week I traveled to Budapest. Our flight was at 8:35am on Friday morning with a layover return flight. Layovers are not ideal, but it was a great experience for learning. My experience had some bumps. We tried to check in to our incoming flight in advance as you are supposed to check in 24 hours before your flight. The app was giving us problems, so we decided to get to the airport even earlier than 90 minutes, which is what is recommended for an international flight. Even though we got there early, the person we talked with told us to wait until 7am which was already cutting it close. Now that we waited we apparently missed the window, and they forced us to pay the fine. Overall lesson, things do not always go to plan, but it’ll work out. We also were given a number to fight and prove that our app was not working and will hopefully get that payment expunged. It did not stop us from having a great time in Budapest and experiencing Hungarian culture. (Submitted on February 4, 2024)