Back in June, Ashley Patterson shared her study abroad adventure with me, and I’ve been looking forward to publishing it ever since. With the flurry of summer events and content, her story is finally finding its home in our November issue—and it’s worth the wait.

Ashley, who has lived in our neighborhood with her family—Cary, Jeannie, Connor, and Alexandra—for seven years, spent four months studying at Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary. The university offered business courses that transferred back to Michigan State, making it the perfect place for her semester abroad.

Budapest became her home base, but Ashley didn’t stop there. Over the course of her travels, she visited nine countries: Austria (Vienna), Belgium (Brussels), France (Paris), England (London), Cyprus, Malta, Italy (Milan), Morocco (Marrakesh and the Sahara Desert), and Spain (Barcelona). She was joined along the way by friends she met abroad, sorority sisters studying elsewhere, a college friend who came to visit, and her parents, who flew out to Budapest for spring break.

Ashley left the first week of February and stayed through June. At just 20 years old, it was her first time in Europe—and she threw herself into the experience.

Her adventures were as diverse as the countries themselves. In Budapest, she experienced the famous baths known for their healing qualities. In Milan, she visited pop-up fashion exhibits during Fashion Week, including Balenciaga shoes from Spain. In Morocco, she joined a three-day desert tour, visiting the world-renowned Ksar Aït Ben Haddou (a backdrop for many shows and films), riding camels, and camping overnight in the Sahara. Boat tours took her across Malta’s sparkling waters and along a city in Hungary, offering a different perspective of both landscapes.

The food was another highlight, with every stop bringing new flavors. In Budapest, she sampled goulash, lángos, chimney cake, duck, and even goose liver from the market. In Barcelona, she discovered what she calls the best chocolate croissant she’s ever had. Paris brought beef tartar and macarons, while Belgium offered a hands-on beer and waffles class. In Cyprus, she enjoyed a variety of seafood; in London, she dug into classic fish and chips; and in Italy, she couldn’t resist pizza and gelato.

The cultural takeaways were just as memorable. “In Budapest, it was a very active culture,” she explained. “Everyone used public transportation, which was great. A lot of Hungarians I met had family that lived in the countryside and tended to stay in Hungary. They spoke Hungarian, which was a hard adaptation. The city is definitely dominated by a younger demographic with a lot of nightlife.”

Ashley’s semester abroad was more than just sightseeing—it was an immersion into independence, culture, and growth. While she admits it wasn’t always easy, she looks back with gratitude and excitement for everything she experienced. And would she go back? The answer was immediate: yes.

She even has an entire list of the best restaurants and activities she discovered and is happy to share with anyone interested. After all, the best travel tips come from those who have lived them firsthand.

Ashley Patterson’s journey reminds us that stepping beyond our comfort zones often leads to the richest memories. From Budapest baths to Moroccan deserts, Belgian waffles to Parisian macarons, her adventure captured the joy of exploring the world at a formative moment in life. And just like the brunches and neighborhood events she loves here at Hidden Lake, it was the sense of connection—whether with strangers, classmates, or locals—that made her travels truly unforgettable.