One Conversation, Five Countries, Countless Memories

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7/21/20262 min read

What happens when a teenager says, “I want to go to Slovakia”?

Apparently… four weeks, five countries, countless memories, thousands of photos, several train rides, one 3:30 a.m. mountain hike, and more food than we care to admit.

In the summer of 2025, while visiting family in Slovakia, I overheard my daughter Emilia video chatting with her friend Kani. During their conversation, Kani casually said, “I want to go to Slovakia.”

Most comments like that disappear as quickly as they are spoken.

This one turned into an international exchange program.

Over the next year, we exchanged ideas, held meetings, made plans, solved problems, and somehow transformed a simple wish into reality. On June 14, 2026, our group boarded a plane for Slovakia. Two days later, the girls began their program at Dual Academy in Bratislava, kicking off an experience none of us will ever forget.

The first week was all about new beginnings: navigating a different school system, making friends, learning how things are done in Slovakia, and discovering that some friendships can form surprisingly fast when you’re sharing adventures. There were classes, school tours, lake visits, and plenty of opportunities to experience everyday Slovak life.

Then came week two—and the heat. The temperatures climbed so high that classes were shortened, leaving more time for pools, lakes, barbecues, and hanging out with new friends. We also escaped to Prague for two days, exploring one of Europe’s most beautiful cities while sampling Czech food and soaking in centuries of history.

As the school year came to a close, the girls discovered that summer in Slovakia is not just about school. It’s about friendships, outdoor adventures, and making the most of every day. There were lakes, cookouts, Nordic walking with an amazing group of women, a visit to the Gabčíkovo Waterworks, and perhaps the most questionable decision of the trip—a 3:30 a.m. hike to watch the sunrise from a mountain. It was absolutely worth it… eventually.

On June 30, the school year officially ended. The students thanked their teachers, administrators, staff, and classmates with gifts and souvenirs from the United States before saying goodbye. While the program lasted only a few weeks, the friendships built during that time will last much longer.

But the adventure wasn’t over.

We continued through central Slovakia, visiting castles, mountains, forests, and the village of Horná Lehota, the birthplace of poet Samo Chalupka. We explored Ľupča Castle, hiked beautiful trails, and enjoyed parts of Slovakia that even many visitors never get to see.

From there, we traveled to Poland and visited Auschwitz. It was a sobering and deeply meaningful experience that reminded us of the importance of remembering history and honoring those who suffered through it.

Back in Slovakia, we enjoyed campfires, traditional food, and introduced our Slovak friends to the American masterpiece known as the s’more. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

Our final stop was Puglia, Italy, where we spent five days enjoying incredible food, stunning beaches, crystal-clear water, and boat trips to spectacular sea caves along the Adriatic coast.

In just four weeks, we traveled through five countries, made lifelong friends, experienced different cultures, learned lessons no textbook can teach, and proved that sometimes the biggest adventures begin with the simplest conversations.

All because one girl said:

“I want to go to Slovakia.”

We’re looking forward to hearing the students share the rest of the story in their own words.