Hallieford resident Brienna Carter recently returned from a journey she said she will never forget. Carter was selected to serve as a People to People Student Ambassador and traveled to France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy July 5-23.

She and her family said the costly trip would not have been possible without the generous help of others in the community.

Carter said the trip provided an opportunity for her eyes to be opened to see that there are many varying ways of life, far different from what she is used to seeing in Mathews County.

Her eyes lit up during the interview as she described in great detail her many adventures, starting out with her first airplane ride. “It was quite an experience,” she said. “On the tube going into the plane, I got the giggles and said ‘Oh my gosh, this is really happening.’”

The first stop was Paris. The group Carter was traveling with had the opportunity to see Notre Dame Cathedral. “It was beautiful; everything you ever dreamed of,” she said.

The group then climbed the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, as the elevators were broken. “It probably took us two hours,” Carter said. “Going up, I enjoyed it, but it was tiresome.” She said once the group started back down the tower, the elevators began working again.

While in Paris, the group toured the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre Museum and Napoleon’s Quarters. Carter also had her first chance to eat escargot (snails), which she described as “green and sloppy, but was actually pretty good.”

The next stop was Switzerland. Carter described being impressed by the overpowering mountains and the country’s chocolate. “It was really good chocolate,” she said, “and it was everywhere.”

Leaving Switzerland, the group was off to Austria. One of Carter’s first experiences of that country was being taught to make apple strudel.

The trip turned more somber, Carter said, as she and other group members toured the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. “I think that was the most moving place I’ve ever been to,” she said.

She described seeing the gas chambers there. “There was so much energy in there. It was strange being in there,” she said.

While in Austria, Carter was able to stay with a host family. She said she made good friends with the two children in the family that were close to her age and even attended school with them.

Finally, Carter said the group toured Italy, seeing landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum and the Vatican.

Carter said her favorites were the Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel.

Speaking of the Vatican City, she said, “You go up to it and it’s this huge, gigantic wall surrounding the city.” Once inside, she likened it to the “biggest painting collection in the world.” She said inside the Sistine Chapel, the Bible scenes really moved her.

“I loved how religious Europe was,” Carter said. “Everywhere I went, I saw something about Jesus and the Cross. It’s just really good to see that.”

She also said the entire group of 53 people helped make for an overall positive experience. “We got along really great,” Carter said. “Everybody loved each other and there was no drama.”

Later, she added, “It has been one experience I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”

She will be giving a presentation of her experiences on her trip Sunday at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Cobbs Creek, beginning at 11:45 a.m. and then again Aug. 25 at Agape Vision Community Church beginning at 5 p.m.

Those who have supported Carter, as well as those who would like to experience and see where she went through her eyes, are welcome to attend, she said.