When people imagine the perfect Mediterranean getaway, most think of the obvious options: a weekend on the French Riviera, driving down the Amalfi Coast, island hopping along the Adriatic Sea, or swimming in the Aegean. But what most travelers seem to overlook sits just south of Turkey and west of the Levant. “The Island Love”, Cyprus, is a gem that hosts all the beauty and history of the Mediterranean, packed into one divided island.

I had the pleasure of spending three incredible days on its western coast between Paphos and Pegeia, in a little beach town called Kissonerga. Cyprus, where the winds blew strongly, waves caressed saw-toothed beaches, and every village had a piece of history or an anecdote to go with it, which my tour guide proudly announced at every stop we made throughout the island.

Here’s a condensed history of Cyprus (before we get into the good stuff). In antiquity, the late Bronze Age brought waves of settlement by the Mycenaeans, attracted to the island’s mineral wealth in copper and its essential location at the crossroads of three continents. Over the next couple of thousand years, Cyprus was conquered by a multiplicity of empires. The Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, and Macedonians all took power one after the other. Then came the Ptolemaic Empire, followed by the Classical and Eastern Roman Empire, Arab caliphates, the French Lusignans, Venetians, and the Ottomans, who held the island for three centuries, and finally the British, who held the island until its independence in 1960.

Today, Cyprus is split between two contesting communities in a conflict sparked after independence. A two-state solution of sorts has been reached, with “Greek Cyprus” inhabiting the southern half of the island, and the Turkish Republic in the north. The two sections are divided by the United Nations Buffer Zone, which is kilometers wide in some sections and only divided by a wall in its capital, Nicosia (or Lefkoşa). Seemingly untroubled by their history of violence, conflict, and occupation, the kindness and welcoming spirit of the Cypriot people could be felt in every village I had the privilege of visiting.

We spent the first day settling in, ready for the excitement the trip would bring. The second day consisted of walking 5km to the nearest fruit stand, where we bought a cornucopia of fruits grown on the island. The agriculture industry of Cyprus was once the backbone of its economy, but as more tourists began flooding the island year after year, the service industry became dominant. Agriculture continues to be a stable and profitable industry, where over 40 different fruits are grown year-round (thanks to its subtropical Mediterranean climate). My favorite was a small yellow-orange fruit called Loquot (in Cyprus it’s called Mespila), which is a stone fruit native to southern China and tastes like a mix of an apricot and a pear – absolutely delicious. We also checked out a couple of restaurants in the area, eating delicious hummus and seafood fresh from the sea.

On our last day, we booked a bus tour of the Greek side of Cyprus (as most tour companies only operate on one side or the other). My family was the first to be picked up, and as we made our way to pick up the rest of the eager passengers from their respective hotels in Paphos, we passed colorful orchards of orange trees, banana farms, and potato fields. Once the bus was full of conversations in a medley of languages, our guide, a Finnish woman named Ula, began the tour.

Our first stop was at the Rock of Aphrodite. According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite was born from the sea foam after the Titan Cronus severed his father, Uranus’s, genitals and threw them into the sea. The rock, which is more of a boulder, upon which she supposedly appeared, sits behind a much larger rock, which, according to legend, was thrown into the sea by the Byzantine hero Digenis Akritas to stop Saracen invaders, creating the formations seen today.

Next, we drove through the mountains to the small village of Lofou. Since we came during the weekend of Greek Orthodox Easter, most restaurants and stores were closed, and the streets were relatively empty besides the stray cats (they were everywhere). Lofou sits on the side of a mountain and has a beautiful church built in 1852, adorned with ancient paintings and frescoes. The village was surrounded by barren hills, which Ula said were because the Limassol wildfires had devastated the olive groves that once covered the terraced mountains. Nevertheless, the village was beautiful, and the locals in the few open shops and bakeries were welcoming and friendly.

After a brief stop at the famous Millomeris waterfall at the foot of Mount Olimbos (the tallest mountain in Cyprus), the tour continued to a winery up in the mountains where the wine tasting began. The two lions flanking the entrance welcomed our group as we entered the building. One lion’s face was frozen in anger, and the other was peacefully asleep. Ula motioned to the angry lion and said, “This is you when you enter,” then pointed at the other, “and this is you when you leave” (hinting that the wine is so good it’ll put us into a tranquil slumber).

The wine was accompanied by fresh bread with olive oil made from the nearby olive groves. The grand finale was an exclusively Cypriot wine called Commanderia. The rich, amber-colored, sweet dessert wine can only be produced in the Commanderia region of Cyprus, where it has been in production since its first documentation in 800 BC. The wine had a rich bourbon smell and tasted like a sweet, spiced syrup. After two more glasses, I had a wonderful nap on the ride down the mountain back to Kissonerga.

Cyprus is only a three-hour flight from Budapest, and if you’re looking for the perfect summer getaway, I wholeheartedly recommend visiting. It’s an island full of history, beautiful mountains and rocky cliffs, and incredible people.

Photos by Julius Hendricks

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Along the coastline of the Adriatic Sea lies one of Croatia’s most underrated cities: Zadar. Known for its ancient streets, crystal-clear water, and laid-back atmosphere, Zadar provides a lifestyle that feels both peaceful and lively at the same time.

Just outside the city is the small coastal village of Sukošan, a quieter destination where locals and visitors enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by beaches, boats, and traditional Croatian culture. Together, these two places show what everyday life in coastal Croatia is truly like.

Life in Zadar blends history with modern living. Walking through the city feels almost like stepping into a different period because Roman ruins, medieval churches, and old stone streets are everywhere, and they create a fantasy feeling. At the same time, cafés, restaurants, bars/clubs, and busy markets keep the city feeling modern and energetic. One of the most famous attractions is the Sea Organ, an art installation that creates music from the movement of the waves. Nearby is the Greeting to the Sun, a solar-powered light display that glows at night and attracts people watching the sunset. In fact, sunsets in Zadar are considered some of the most beautiful in the world, with locals often gathering in the evenings just to relax and watch the sky change colors.

The lifestyle in Zadar is much slower and calmer than in many large cities. People value spending time outdoors, whether it is swimming in the sea, sitting at cafés for hours, or walking along the promenade. Family is very important in Croatian culture, and many businesses close earlier on Sundays so people can spend time together.

Food also plays a major role in daily life. Fresh seafood, olive oil, grilled meats, and local cheeses are common dishes, while bakeries and coffee shops are always busy throughout the day, and let me just say it’s some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had, just because of its freshness. Coffee culture is especially important in Croatia because meeting friends for long conversations over coffee is considered part of everyday social life rather than just a quick stop.

Only a short drive from Zadar is Sukošan, a small seaside village that gives an even more relaxed look into Croatian coastal life. Unlike larger tourist cities, Sukošan feels more personal and quieter. Many people know each other, and life revolves around the marina, beaches, and local restaurants. The village is famous for having one of the largest and most beautiful marinas on the Adriatic coast, making it popular for sailing and boating. During the summer, tourists arrive from all over Europe, but even with visitors, Sukošan still keeps its peaceful charm.

Living in Sukošan often means spending most of the day outdoors. Residents swim, fish, bike, or simply enjoy the warm Mediterranean climate. The weather is another major reason why people love the area. Summers are hot and sunny, while winters are mild compared to much of Europe. Because of this, outdoor dining and evening walks are common throughout most of the year.

There are also a few things visitors should know before traveling to Croatia. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially by younger people, making it easy for travelers to communicate. Croatia uses the euro as its currency, and tourism is one of the country’s biggest industries, especially during the summer. Despite the popularity of tourism, many smaller towns like Sukošan still hold onto strong local traditions and a close-knit community feeling.

Overall, Zadar and Sukošan represent the beauty of everyday life in coastal Croatia. From the historic streets and waterfront sunsets of Zadar to the peaceful beaches and village atmosphere of Sukošan, the region offers a balance of relaxation, culture, and natural beauty. For many people, life there is not about rushing but about enjoying the moment, appreciating family and community, and staying connected to the sea that shapes daily life along Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Photos by Viktoria Kiss

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Within the world, there are many different facets of nature that are beautiful and helpful in their own ways. One of the most common types of beauty from nature that humans interact with is flowers. The estimated number of different species of flowers is somewhere between 250,000 and 400,000. Obviously, there is no guaranteed way to measure every single different type of flower, as they grow in all corners of the world, which is why this estimated range is the closest guess. With the hundreds of thousands of flowers come many different cultures using flowers for different religious, medical, social, and traditional reasons. For this reason, flowers have always had an importance within society.

In different ancient cultures, different types of flowers were used to symbolize different things. In Victorian England, society used Bluebells to show kindness to their loved ones or even strangers meeting for the first time. Lotuses were used to show new creation and rebirth in Ancient Egypt. Similar to today’s society, in Ancient Greece, roses were used to show love to the recipient.

Along with their symbolism, flowers were heavily used in ancient times for medicinal purposes. For example, the Early Purple Orchid was grown and turned into a traditional medical beverage called “salep.” This medicine drive was used to soothe coughs and dull stomach aches. Like that, primrose was used for basic first aid. The flower petals were turned into an ointment to dress and heal wounds. To enhance mental abilities and health, rosemary has been used for centuries. However, the best flower/herb being used to heal people for many centuries is sage. According to the Lindley Library, “sage aids in digestion, helps wounds heal, can relieve period cramps, fights colds, kills unwanted bacteria, and can aid in the reduction of inflammation and swelling. In simple terms, sage does everything to heal people.” Flowers and plants have been doing so much for cultures all over the world for centuries. From being able to tell someone how you feel to being able to heal, flowers were very important to ancient cultures. Then, what about today…are flowers still as highly regarded as they were centuries ago?

The simple answer is yes; flowers are still very important in many different cultures all over the world. In ancient times, flowers could be used to show love; this is why they make the best gifts.

Another reason they are highly regarded in society is that they can immediately boost one’s mood. Flowers are colorful and vibrant; because of this, we immediately feel less tension and more happiness when seeing flowers in our vicinity. “According to scientific studies, the presence of flowers in and around hospitals can help with patients’ stress levels and reduce anxiety,” says Floweraura. Even more than that, receiving flowers can be the biggest mood booster for everyone because they can make the recipient feel loved and appreciated. “All study participants expressed ‘true’ or ‘excited’ smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude.” This reaction did not only happen for men or only women, or only certain age groups- the true excitement occurred in everyone.

Overall, flowers have long-standing traditions and medical purposes in many cultures, even ancient ones. They have been used to show the way one can feel about people in their lives. My favorite example is the Bluebells being used to show kindness to strangers or loved ones. Along with that, flowers can instantly boost the mood of most people because of their bright colors, aromatic presence, and the belief that if you are receiving flowers, it means you are appreciated. All in all, flowers have always been something that, as humans, we have admired. Flowers are beautiful, and they can heal us, why wouldn’t we adore them.

Photos by Riley Moore

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Switzerland is one of those places that almost doesn’t feel real. You’ve got mountains that look like wallpaper in the background everywhere you look, super clean cities, and everything works in unison. Right in the middle of all that is Zurich, a city that mixes nature, culture, and everyday life in a really effortless way.

Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland, but it doesn’t feel stressful or crowded like other big cities, like Rome or Paris, for example. It’s very calm, organized, and honestly just easy to be in. It’s the kind of place where you can explore a lot without feeling overwhelmed.

One place that also adds to Zurich’s cultural side is the Kunsthaus Zürich, one of the most important art museums in Switzerland. It features a huge collection of artwork ranging from classic European paintings to modern and contemporary pieces. Even if you’re not into art, the museum itself is beautiful and worth visiting because of the atmosphere and architecture alone. It gives the city a more creative and artistic feel and shows that Zurich is not just about business, shopping, and nature, but also has a strong cultural identity.

One of the best things about Zurich is how balanced it feels. You can walk through the Old Town (Altstadt) with its small streets and old buildings, which still keep the city’s older characteristics, and then five minutes later be in a very modern area with shops and cafés and so much to see.

Bahnhofstrasse is the main shopping street, and it’s known for being one of the fanciest in all of Europe. Even if you’re not buying anything, it’s fun to walk around and see the vibe (I personally love window shopping there).

If you’re into culture, you can check out places like the Swiss National Museum, but honestly, just walking around the city is already an experience that allows you to learn a lot.

And then there’s the lake. Lake Zurich is where everyone hangs out, especially during the summer. People swim, sit by the water, talk with friends, or even boat around! It’s relaxing and probably one of the best parts of the city, not only because of the view that speaks for itself, but it also cools down the air when it’s hot.

At night, Zurich has a fun but not crazy nightlife. Areas like Zurich West have bars, music, and places to just hang out, but it’s never overly crowded or too overwhelming.

Transportation in Switzerland is honestly next level and very modern. Everything is on time, clean, extremely simple to use, and cool. Most of it is run by Swiss Federal Railways, which connects basically the whole country and even trains to neighboring countries in a very short amount of time.

In Zurich, trams are the main way to get around, and they come often, so it’s not too difficult to figure out that having a car is not necessary if you live next to any form of public transport. They do take checking tickets very seriously, though, so make sure to have one if you go on them!

The main station (Zurich HB) connects you to everywhere, like other cities, lakes, and even the mountains. You can wake up in Zurich and be in the Alps not long after. It is a huge benefit and keeps you refreshed with new views in a short amount of time.

Switzerland is pricey. But here’s a quick breakdown of the most common things bought. Public transport is about CHF 3–5 (€3.28-5.47) per ride or a day pass, which is around CHF 8–15. Meals at restaurants range from CHF 20–40+, but cheaper options are fast food spots ranging from CHF 10–15, and a coffee run can go from CHF 4–6.

It can add up fast, but there are ways to save, like if you travel around often, get a travel pass, buy food from supermarkets instead of eating out all the time, which is also healthier, and since Zurich is a walkable city, walk where and when you can.

Zurich isn’t loud or flashy, but that’s kind of the point. It’s clean, beautiful, easy to explore, and everything just runs smoothly. It’s a place where you can chill by the lake, explore cute streets, hop on a train, and see mountains all in the same day. Even though it’s expensive, the overall experience makes it worth it.

Photos by Viktoria Kiss

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Each second year in New Brunswick, Canada, members of the Hungarian American community gather for a cultural event: the Hungarian Scout Ball, organized by the Hungarian Scout Association. The ball serves as both a formal social event where Hungarian traditions are practiced and celebrated, and a meaningful fundraiser supporting Hungarian scouting programs across North America. 

The Hungarian Scout Association was founded after World War II by Hungarian refugees who sought to preserve their language, traditions, and identity while living abroad. Today, the organization works with scout troops throughout the United States and Canada, focusing not only on outdoor skills but also on cultural education, folk traditions, and leadership development. The ball plays a key role in sustaining those efforts.  

At the center of the evening is the welcoming of debutantes. Young women, often active within the scouting community, are formally introduced to society in a tradition rooted in European customs. Accompanied by escorts, they perform rehearsed dances, most notably the palotás, a 19th-century Hungarian court dance that has become a defining feature of the event. The choreography reflects elegance and discipline, symbolizing both cultural continuity and the transition into adulthood.  

Beyond the debutante initiation, the program usually includes a formal dinner, live music, and open dancing. Traditional Hungarian melodies often blend with classical ballroom selections, reflecting the dual identity of the community: rooted in Hungarian heritage while shaped by American life. “Reconnecting with old friends from Hungarian school makes the experience even more meaningful for many attendees. Seeing everyone dance with tradition sometimes without even realizing it creates a beautiful sense of community that is impossible to ignore,” said Julius Hendricks, a participant. Guests range from local supporters to attendees traveling from other states, demonstrating the ball’s wider regional significance. 

Financially, the event serves an important role for scout camps, educational programming, leadership training, and the publication of Hungarian-language materials used within scouting circles. Maintaining heritage abroad requires consistent effort and funding, and the ball provides both community visibility and practical support for those initiatives.  

The choice of New Brunswick as host city is also notable. The area has long been home to a strong Hungarian American presence, with churches, cultural organizations, and community centers forming an established network. Holding the ball there reinforces the region’s historical connection to Hungarian immigration and settlement in the United States. 

While the evening is defined by formal attire and structured tradition, its broader significance lies in preservation. Culture survives not only through memory but through events, institutions, and shared experiences that keep language, music, and customs active rather than symbolic. The Hungarian Scout Ball fulfills that role by creating a setting where heritage is not only displayed but practiced. 

In this sense, the ball represents more than elegance or ceremony. It reflects a community’s long-standing commitment to identity, education, and intergenerational connection. Through dance, fundraising, and shared celebration, the New Brunswick Hungarian Scout Ball continues to sustain a tradition that extends far beyond a single evening. 

Photos by Viktoria Kiss

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An internship, some travel, and a surprisingly eye-opening learning experience, all in one. Through a youth mobility project in Georgia, I myself got to explore how CO2 emissions can be reduced in a more efficient and productive way, using an interactive simulator through collaborative activities.

It actually started with a message from the McDaniel College Budapest administration presenting an opportunity provided by the Proteus Foundation to join an internship in Georgia.

So, what was this training I was part of about?

It was an Erasmus+ “Training for Trainers” program focused on environmental education. The project, called Environer, aimed to equip youth workers with digital tools for teaching sustainability in more engaging ways. It took place between 24 and 28 March in Bakuriani, Georgia.

Around 20 of us participants joined from Slovenia, Georgia, and Hungary (our team members were also from Pakistan and Tunisia), while we also connected with people from Italy and Malta during our stay. A big part of the program was learning how to use the En-ROADS simulator, which shows how different decisions can influence global emissions over time.

Interestingly, the experience went far beyond just learning a tool. We worked in teams, took part in interactive sessions, and even explored how AI can connect to environmental topics. There was also space to experience the local culture, whether through conversations, shared activities, or exploring Borjomi’s thermal bath and natural mineral water that has historically cured multiple illnesses. One of the highlights was a hike in the mountains, along with tasting the typical food such as khinkali, khachapuri, and phali.

The internship did not stop there! Viktor Jósa (Co-Founder of Proteus and former alum of McDaniel College) and I brought the knowledge into the room. Quite literally, we brought the simulator, a presentation, and interactive scenarios where the students of the Environmental Problem-Solving class taught by Professor Cox could explore the topic and come up with excellent ideas and solutions.

Thanks to whom did the event take place?

The project was organized through the cooperation of Umbrella Youth Organization (Georgia), IZO Institute (Slovenia), and the Proteus Foundation (Hungary). Their focus is on developing practical thinking around environmental challenges and sustainability. Furthermore, thanks to the full funding of the project by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program and support from the Hungarian National Agency, this could not have happened.

Looking for similar experiences?

It’s worth checking your McDaniel email regularly. You can also look into the Proteus Foundation’s work or browse Erasmus+ programs to see what upcoming projects you can apply for.

Can anyone join?

These projects are open to a wide range of people, including students, volunteers, educators, and anyone interested in working with young people and engaging with topics like sustainability and climate change, and many more.

Takeaway

The biggest realization for me was that progress is possible, but only if we understand which actions actually make a difference. Tools like En-ROADS help make that clearer by showing the real impact of decisions.

I enjoyed the experience so much that I’ve already signed up for another program in July, this time in Slovakia. If something like this comes up, I’d definitely recommend giving such detoxing and inspiring projects that call to action a try.

Photos by Alexa Bandura and Tomaz Gorenc

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Recounts of pop’s prince return to the stage for the first time in years

Harry Styles is arguably the only true male pop star out there today. With audiences collapsing at the sound of his voice, fan girls buying concert tickets like madmen, and pop music that makes people feel good – it’s no surprise he’s the current prince of pop.  

He got his big break from music all the way back in 2016 on X-Factor and became a part of the world-famous boy band, One Direction. His band was much like any other boy band, a worldwide phenomenon for fan girls. Only lasting five years before their “hiatus,” the five boys put out five albums and did five world tours, pushing the limits of their abilities and pushing fan girl culture into another dimension. When the band went on hiatus in 2015, they effectively disbanded, with all members going on to release solo projects and further develop their fanbases.

Of the five members, Harry Styles has gone on to be the most commercially successful, with chart-topping hits like “Watermelon Sugar” and “As It Was” and an extremely successful two-year world tour. Following his global domination with his albums and tour, he took a long break. Completely disappeared from the spotlight, leaving devoted fans distraught and leaving the pop world a little duller. During this time, he took about three years away to recharge himself and find the music he wanted to make. Needless to say, his fans were missing his presence and his musical style. 

Just when pop culture needed back its prince of pop, Harry Styles announced his fourth album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. released March 6th. Along with the album, Styles announced a One Night Only concert for the day of the launch, where he would play the album for fans in his hometown of Manchester. Receiving tickets for this concert was much different than anything I’d ever experienced. Due to the extremely high demand for Harry Styles, his tour dates sold out like crazy, with prices being sky-high. With this show, I think his team wanted to do a different approach, so people were only able to receive tickets via raffle. Fans could answer one question only: whether they wanted to be seated or standing, and then put in their bank card information to get two tickets at 20 pounds each. If they happened to be chosen, they would receive an email with their ticket confirmation and soon be heading to the ONO (One Night Only) show.  

My mom, quite literally the luckiest person I know, got chosen! Soon we’d be heading to Manchester for this concert! A lot of people call us crazy for that, but it’s just something that my mom and I do. Concerts have always been a connection point for us, and because it’s just us two, we’ve always been able to make them a fun time. As I’ve gotten older and moved abroad, our range of concerts has just expanded. Call us crazy, but it’s a good way to see a new city and plan it around something fun. Her coming from the United States, she had more of a travel to Manchester, but we finally met up on March 5th. Excited to hear Style’s new album and see him on a stage for the first time in three years! 

The Concert 

 My mom and I got to the Co-op Live Arena at 6:20 pm for a 7 pm doors opening, and the line was already wrapped around the building. I wasn’t too shocked because I knew it was going to be crazy busy, but it just continued to evolve into madness. My mom and I were probably about 40 people away from where the line formed with actual barricades, and from the time we got in line, the line continued to spread all the way down. Wrapping itself around the parking lot and gardens, and people wrapping themselves around each other. I think there definitely could have been better planning here. I mean, they knew exactly how many tickets were sold, so the lack of queue planning felt odd. Ultimately, I was grateful for our position because we lucked out in getting in line just before it devolved. From where we were standing, we could see the doors open and security start moving at 7 pm, but our place in line didn’t start moving until 7:15 pm. Once we got through security, the staff scanned our tickets, and then we went to the next set of people.

Styles had made a deal with Netflix, so this ONO would be recorded and put onto the streaming platform as a way to memorialize this night. Netflix wanted the wow factor, so fans had to place their phones into plastic baggies that made it impossible to record on the camera. Because fans had their cameras taken away, Styles’ team offered each pair of tickets one disposable camera so fans could capture memories of the night. For the first time, I’d get to experience what a concert was like before cellphones were a thing – and I seriously loved it. Without the worry of trying to get the perfect picture or video of your favorite song, I could just live in the moment and fully experience the music in the way it was intended.  

Harry Styles came on stage around 9 pm, and the arena absolutely erupted. He walked through crowds of fans, as I tried to look at the big screens to see him. He took his steps up on stage, and if I thought the screams were loud before, now they were amplified tenfold. The tension in the room was palpable; everyone was so excited to be a part of this monumental moment.  

On stage, he wore wide-legged, banana-yellow pants and a royal blue jumper on top. Underneath the jumper, he had on a black buttoned-up shirt with white flowers printed randomly, and a big pink tie. Seemingly a wacky outfit, but Styles pulls it off- as he does with everything.  

Without speaking a word into the microphone, he begins crafting a beat on what seems to be a small DJ stand. He plays around with different notes, tones, and sounds for a few minutes before finally settling on the correct one. He begins tapping out the beat to “Aperture”- the first track of his album and the only single released before the album drop. The lights begin to flicker along to the beat of the song, creating a sonic world for the audience to fully be a part of. The rest of his band has now joined in to add musical texture to the beat. Once they all find the groove of the song, Styles approaches the mic to sing the first verse. 

As he takes his steps into the spotlight, the crowd erupts into screams once again. We can’t contain the energy. We’re all about to hear Harry Styles sing live for the first time in years. From where I am in the crowd, his back is more to me, but I can see him take a deep breath and grab onto the microphone. 

His voice begins to sing “Take no prisoners for me, I’m told you’re elevating. Drinks go straight to my knees, I’m sold, I’m going on clean.” My entire body is covered in goosebumps as he goes into the next verse. He goes into the next part of the verse, and when he gets to the line “it’s complicated,” there’s a part in the song where his voice alters to exaggerate the “ed” part for a few beats. The crowd took it upon themselves to do that part of the song, and we all screamed out “aye, aye, aye, aye, aye” to the beat of the song. Seriously, it was one of the coolest parts of a live crowd I’ve ever been a part of. Without even taking a beat or planning it, we completed a part of the song that wasn’t necessarily able to be translated live – and as the crowd, we made that happen. There’s another part in the second verse where he does the same thing with the word “cadence,” and as the crowd, we did it again. Immediately, the crowd felt connected to each other and to Harry. 

As the first song finishes, Styles steps away from the microphone to take a 30-second breather. He takes a few large sips of water and a few deep breaths before the beat of the next song kicks on. “American Girls”, a song mainly driven by the kick-drum beat, allows Styles an opportunity to dance to the song’s intro before stepping up to the mic. 

Going into the concert, this track was probably my favorite of the album, so it makes sense it’s one of my favorites of the night. This track is a bit livelier, with more flowing melodies, and that definitely translated well into the live version. This might have been a favorite of everyone, because this is one of the songs I remember everyone really dancing to. People screamed the lyrics, raised their hands to the lyrics, and dropped them to the beat. We all jumped up and down until we could no longer. 

After song two wraps up, Styles finally takes a few minutes to address the crowd. He thanks us all for being here tonight and extends his thankfulness to the fans who waited and stuck around while he disappeared from the spotlight. He tells us that he needed a break in order to find out who he was now as a 30-year-old performer, and he felt it necessary to find the music he wanted to make. As he continues to speak, I can feel the gratitude oozing out of him as he thanks the crowd one last time and encourages us to dance our hearts away!  

Sad as I am to say it, a lot of the songs from there blended, but I still remember distinct moments from each track. “Ready, Steady, Go” was an extremely lively song, with Styles running around basically doing laps on stage while still effortlessly singing along. In this song, there is a different microphone (almost like autotune on his voice) on the chorus, and in the live version, Styles brought a sort of radio mic on stage to sing that bit. It was a cool thing to experience, and on the Netflix special, they captured that moment very well. 

Similarly, “Are You Listening Yet?” had Styles running around like a madman while pointing the microphone to the crowd when we would all scream the question “are you listening yet?” over and over.  

The first slower, more melancholic song on the album is “Taste Back,” which gave Styles and the crowd a chance to simmer down while still enjoying the music. Towards the end of this song, in the bridge, Styles begs the question “Did you” repeatedly, and hearing this bit live is where I got the full experience of the drums bringing the beat back in, the synths livening the tune, and the backing vocals take this song to the next level. Finally, the music comes together in a serendipitous symphony, and Styles belts out the last chorus. Truly a wonderful experience that elevated the song to new heights.  

The next song, “The Waiting Game”, I quite literally do not remember at all…oops. Funny enough, when Harry talked to the crowd before this song he thanked us for spreading joy with him, saying “You’re the greatest group of people I’ve ever met in my life,” then announcing the next song played would be “Season 2 Weight Loss” for a moment then actually remembering the next song should actually be “The Waiting Game.” So maybe even Harry felt the song was a little forgettable…overall I think the song felt a little bland, and the live experience didn’t really heighten it for me. 

However, the song after that - “Season 2 Weight Loss” was an undoubtedly beautiful experience. Styles brought out a choir on stage, as this song relies heavily on backing vocals. From my place in the crowd, I hear the loud synthesizers begin, and Styles moves his arms in a conductor-like manner, then the overwhelming drum beat kicks in, and he transforms into a rockstar. He’s got this demeanor that comes over him that really drives his stage presence, and specifically this song. Styles and the choir take on this song and make a good song into a great one as Styles begs the crowd to still love him even as he goes through changes, “hoping that love will come around.” 

Following pleas for love, “Coming Up Roses” is the next song played, and here Harry sits down at the piano to deliver this ballad in a beautifully intimate way. On stage, Styles sits at the piano, and behind him are violin players who really transform this song into a beautiful symphony.  

Straying away from the softer side of the album, Styles pushes the audience into the pop world with his song, “Pop.” I remember this song being an enormous amount of fun. Maybe the crowd was ready to relinquish all those sad songs and start the fun again, because this song truly took the crowd to another level. Along with Harry, we danced and jumped and sang along until the song was over. The chorus of the song says, you guessed it, “pop” with a beat drop, and every time that would happen, all the hands in the crowd would go up in the air. This song I could really tell connected with the crowd and gave us a chance to dance along to a true “pop” song. 

Keeping it in a lively world, Styles delivers his dance-pop track off the album, “Dance No More.” From the title, one might think we wouldn’t be dancing to this song, but in fact, this is one of the grooviest songs on the album. Using a lot of call-and-response, Styles tells the crowd that “DJs don’t dance no more, but we want to dance with all our friends.” 

The last two songs to be played are more downbeat but are truly at the heart of the album’s themes. In “Paint by Numbers,” the audience sees how fame has impacted Styles and him trying to deal with it while still being grateful. A very intimate song with an equally intimate live performance.  

Lastly, “Carla’s Song” is an integral part of the album and this night. Styles shares with the crowd that while he took time away from the spotlight, he made wonderful, healthy, normal friendships that have really helped him have different views on life. He shares a story on Carla, a newly made friend of his, and how they were together, and she brought up a song by Paul Simon how she had never heard of him or any of his music before. Harry recounts how he grew up with Simon and Garfunkel vinyls in his house, and how he was so excited to be able to share that music with a new friend. He puts on “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and watches as Carla has a listening experience that leaves her in shock and awe. Styles tells us in the crowd that watching her listen to this piece of wonderful music for the first time reminded him why he is even making music. It helped him resonate with an inner experience of himself, and now he has a passion again for making music that leaves listeners with true starstruck feelings. And “Carla’s Song” does just that. 

As a nod to his friend, the song starts with the line “there is a bridge that leads to troubled waters. If you know, then you know. If you don’t then you don’t- it’s heavenly.” And that is a wonderful synopsis of the song. He implores listeners to grab life by the hands, but also take their time because “it’s all waiting there for you.” And as the crowd can go out and chase their many glorious dreams, Styles will be the soundtrack as he says, “I know what you like, you can hear it anytime.” Needless to say, this is a wonderful song, and an even more powerful album closer. I know that I was certainly very moved by this song, and from the crying faces and screamed lyrics around me – I could tell this one was a crowd favorite.  

Styles exits stage along with the band, and just when you think he’s done – he’s coming back for an encore. With the original part of the concert, Harry told us that they would be following the album order track by track, so there wasn’t any surprise with the set list. However, Styles had some crazy song surprises up his sleeve for the encore.  

The Encore 

For the first song, it was just Harry and long-time guitar player Mitch Roland on stage. Roland plays three chords of the song, and the arena screams louder than they have all night. Styles is playing “From the Dining Table,” a song off his debut album and one that hadn’t been played live in nearly six years. From all the songs we heard that night, somehow that felt like the most special one. Styles then goes on to play his classic hits “Golden”, “Watermelon Sugar”, and “As It Was.” I mean, seriously, just absolute pop bangers back-to-back, rarely giving the crowd a chance to collect our bearings.  

He wraps up the concert with thank yous to his family, his new friends, and us fans. Styles reflects and tells the crowd how “in a world like we have today that feels so chaotic, it’s easy to become hopeless. But I look at these rooms and what you have created, and there is just so much hope in here.” Thanking us for being a part of this wild ride for nearly 20 years, and “being a light in his life.” He encourages the audience to “be the change in the world that you wanna see,” as the piano plays “Sign of the Times”. He delivers what might just be his best song on paper, in a truly spectacular way. This song is filled with an enormous amount of hope, and it truly rings home with the speech he has just given us.  

The song wraps up, but the house lights don’t come up. I remember looking around the crowd, and everyone seemed a bit confused. I mean, it just didn’t feel over quite yet; something felt missing. At this point, my brain starts racking what songs he could even play. I mean, he’s literally played all his new songs and nearly all his most popular ones. Styles, being a little cheeky, starts the beats to “Aperture” one more time. The crowd fully delivers and exceeds my expectations. Similar to the first time this track was played, the crowd has fun with the beat and dances around. This time, however, I can tell Harry is performing this differently. The first time, he was a bit more poised, putting on a show. Now it feels like he’s dancing and singing as if he’s one of us in the crowd. For a moment, we all felt like equals, just people in a room that were all dancing to the same tune. For one last song, all of us give it all we’ve got to make this dance floor rock and disco until we drop.  

From my very lengthy description, you might be able to tell this was one of my favorite nights of my life. I had seen Harry Styles in concert before, but this one was seriously on the next level. This performance felt special to all of us. He, his band, the crowd, the crew – we all felt connected in a way that I’m not sure I’ve felt before. Maybe it’s that we all knew we were a part of something entirely unique, or maybe Harry’s right and it’s just fun to dance with your friends. All concerts are special within their own right, but this one was in an entirely different realm. 

Maybe there’s something to be said about putting your phone away to truly experience a live moment. I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the reasons this concert felt so intimate and powerful. Whenever Styles would come onto my side of the arena, it wasn’t phones shoved in his and our faces – it was all about being able to savor a special and fleeting moment. I’m so grateful that I got this chance based purely on luck, and I’m very grateful I was able to experience a concert in another, phone-free way, and just let myself dance and enjoy the music. And enjoy the music, I certainly did, for my feet ached and my knees hurt from the dancing and jumping around, but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. 

Photos by Riley Moore

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Whether you’re a full-time student or just at McDaniel Budapest for a semester, you have the unique opportunity to take a quick bus or train ride to some of Central Europe’s most beautiful cities at unbeatable prices.

Budapest is undeniably one of the most captivating European capitals, but if you’re itching for something new or if you just want to cross another country off your bucket list, take advantage of Europe’s fantastic public transportation and embark on a weekend trip to Prague, Vienna, or Bratislava.

Travel

The first question you need to ask yourself before you go is, how am I getting there? RegioJet is the best train to take to any of these cities because it has the best value, is student-friendly, and offers free coffee. RegioJet trains primarily depart from Budapest-Déli Pályaudvar (train station) with a stop at Budapest-Kelenföld. From there, the trains make stops in various towns and cities on their way to your final destination. Typically, the RegioJet train to Prague will make a stop in Vienna. This is the perfect opportunity for you to hop off, take a stroll around the beautiful streets of Vienna, and catch the next train to Prague.

Another transportation option to take is FlixBus, which operates daily between Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague. FlixBuses often run more frequently than the trains and offer free Wifi and charging ports at every seat. If you want the best view on your journey with FlixBus, book a seat in the front row for a panoramic view (and a little extra leg room). It will run you a couple more Euros than the regular seats, but I think it’s worth it for a ride with great views.

Vienna

RegioJet train tickets are the most affordable for students, typically running from €9-13 when booked in advance, or €20-44 for last-minute tickets. Once you arrive at Vienna’s train station, take the U1 metro to Karlsplatz. Here you’ll be surrounded by beautiful views everywhere you look. Vienna has a kind of charm that’s hard to put into words.  The streets are clean, calm with just the right amount of buzz, and effortlessly eye-catching. Once you get to Karlsplatz, you’ll find yourself in one of the most striking parts of the city. The colossal Karlskirche stands in front of you at the edge of the square with its green dome and imposing columns. From there, it’s an easy walk to the Vienna State Opera, where you can catch a glimpse of the city’s legendary music culture without ever buying a ticket. Just a few minutes away, the Secession Building stands out with its golden dome, offering a contrast to Vienna’s classical architecture.

Prague 

For Prague, tickets with RegioJet will run you between €19-56 for last-minute tickets, but if you book in advance, you can expect to pay between €20 and €30. Prague feels like a city pulled straight out of a fairytale, but once you spend a little time there, you realize it has much more depth than just its postcard-perfect views. Cobblestone streets wind through neighborhoods that feel untouched by time, and nearly every corner seems to have a story attached to it. There’s a heavier sense of history in Prague than in many other European cities, and while it’s incredibly beautiful, it also makes you pause and think. It’s a city that rewards wandering. Getting a little lost in Prague often leads to the best views, the quietest cafés, or a bridge you didn’t plan on crossing.

Most first-time visitors end up near the Old Town, and for good reason. Walking across Charles Bridge, especially early in the morning or late at night, is an experience in itself, with views of the river and the castle looming above the city. From there, it’s an easy walk toward Old Town Square, where the Astronomical Clock draws crowds every hour, or up the hill to Prague Castle, which offers some of the best views in the city. Prague is perfect for a longer weekend trip—it’s a bit farther from Budapest, but the mix of history, atmosphere, and sheer beauty makes the journey more than worth it.

Bratislava

For traveling to Bratislava, I recommend using FlixBus, where tickets usually cost between €12-21 for rides to and from Budapest. I consider Bratislava the most underrated city out of the previous, but that’s exactly what makes it so charming. Compared to its larger neighbors, the city feels relaxed and approachable, making it perfect for a low-stress day trip. The pace is slower, the crowds are smaller, and everything feels close together. I like how Bratislava doesn’t overwhelm you with grandeur and breathtaking architectural marvels everywhere you look. Instead, it invites you to explore at your own speed and enjoy the simplicity of being somewhere new without the pressure of seeing everything.

Once you arrive, most of the city’s highlights are within walking distance of each other. The walk up to Bratislava Castle is short but worth it for the views overlooking the Danube and even into Austria on a clear day, which is only a stone’s throw away. Below the castle, the Old Town is full of colorful buildings, small cafés, and quiet squares that are perfect for wandering. Bratislava might not demand a full weekend like Prague, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s an easy, spontaneous trip that still lets you cross a new country off your list and be back in Budapest by the end of the day.

Photos by Julius Hendricks

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