Austria, Spain, Greece: What Happens When Borders Disappear for a Weekend?

What happens when people from Austria, Spain, and Greece are brought together for just a few days in one city, speaking different languages, sharing different cultures, and meeting for the first time?

From the 6th to the 9th of March, I took part in an Erasmus project called “Departure — Arrival — Home” in Graz. What seemed like a short educational trip quickly turned into something much more meaningful: a space where borders felt irrelevant, and people simply connected as people.

My team !

First Impressions of Graz

Graz is the capital city of the federal state of Styria in Austria. It is known for its well-preserved historic center, its large student population, and its mix of modern and traditional architecture.

Hauptplatz der Stadt Graz

It welcomed us with surprisingly warm and sunny weather, which immediately set the tone for the entire experience. The city felt calm but alive, shaped strongly by its student population and open atmosphere.

Although we didn’t visit the famous Kunsthaus Graz, we still experienced the city through its streets, parks, and public spaces. One of the most memorable places was the area around the Mur River, including the iconic floating platform known as Murinsel, where we spent time together and explored the city environment.

Island in the Mur

Another iconic landmark of Graz that we learned about is the Uhrturm (clock tower), located on the Schlossberg hill, which is one of the city’s most recognizable symbols

Uhrturm

Altstadt von Graz

When Strangers Become a Group

One of the most unexpected parts of the experience was how quickly people connected. Participants from Austria, Spain, and Greece came together and, within hours, stopped feeling like strangers.

Because it was exam break for the local students, the city was full of life. We spent time in parks, had picnics in the sun, played games, and simply enjoyed being outside together. These moments felt natural and unplanned, yet they became the most memorable parts of the trip.

Stadtpark Graz

At one point, we were even treated to a free gyros portion from a local restaurant, as we were the Greek group — something small, but very meaningful and memorable for us.

We also had a special exercise during the project where we asked each other more personal questions about our lives, backgrounds, and experiences. It helped us get to know one another on a deeper level, and although we wanted to learn even more about each other, there was never quite enough time to fully explore every story.

At night, we also experienced the local club scene, which added another layer to the cultural exchange. It wasn’t just about visiting a city — it was about sharing everyday life with the people living there.

See you in Kozani, Greece, this October !

The Meaning Behind the Project

The Erasmus project “Departure — Arrival — Home” focused on migration, identity, and belonging. Through workshops and discussions, we explored what “home” means and how it changes depending on personal experience.

We also had the chance to meet professionals who gave depth to the topic:

• A photographer who explained how visual storytelling can reflect human movement and identity
• A specialist working in immigration, who shared real-world perspectives on migration challenges

These sessions helped connect theory with reality, making the project more than just travel it became reflection.

People, Energy, and Experience

What made this experience truly special was not only the program, but the people. The hosts worked hard to create a welcoming environment, and the organization was of high quality throughout the entire stay.

My greek girls !

More importantly, the connections formed between participants felt genuine. Meeting so many people from different backgrounds and sharing such an intense short experience created something rare: a sense of unity that didn’t depend on nationality or language.

A Billiard Game, Kindly Offered by Our Hosts

See You in the Next Chapter

So, what happens when borders disappear for a weekend? You meet strangers who stop feeling like strangers way too fast, eat free gyros just because you’re Greek, and suddenly find yourself in a group that feels like it’s been together for much longer than four days.

We came for a project, but left with inside jokes, unfinished conversations, and way too little time to actually talk to everyone we wanted to.

See you in Kozani, Greece, this October — this time, with more time and less goodbye energy.

Okay, now watch this…

[embed]Creator: Jesus | JYP Travels / Few tips and must to visit.

[embed]Creator: Porvoolainen travel channel / Where History Meets Future in Austria’s Design Capital,

Photo by Leonhard Niederwimmer on Unsplash

References

• Erasmus+ Programme. About Erasmus+. Available at: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
• Graz Tourism. Official Website. Available at: https://www.graztourismus.at
• Kunsthaus Graz. Information page. Available at: https://www.museum-joanneum.at/kunsthaus-graz
• Murinsel. City landmark description. Available at: https://www.graztourismus.at
• Schlossberg Clock Tower. Historical landmark overview. Available at: https://www.graztourismus.at