DiscoverEU: Ellen’s Video Diary

What is it really like to explore Europe with a DiscoverEU travel pass? For Ellen, an Irish student with a love of travel, it became a journey of freedom, connection, and self-discovery.  

DiscoverEU, an Erasmus+ initiative, gives 18-year-olds the chance to explore Europe using a free rail pass, opening doors to independence and adventure.  

In her submission to the DiscoverEU video competition, Ellen takes us inside her experience of making new friends, trying new foods, and exploring new countries, answering the question: What does Europe mean to you?  

“It means trains where you don’t speak the language but still somehow make friends for life. It means new cultures, new foods. It means freedom, the kind you feel with your backpack, your playlist, and the whole continent ahead of you. It means finding parts of myself I didn’t even know existed, on mountains, in museums, in tiny cafes, and at sunrise on random platforms.”  

Ellen’s story reflects what makes DiscoverEU important. It’s about learning by doing, by travelling, and by meeting others on the same tracks of exploration. 

Selected participants get a rail pass and a DiscoverEU discount card, that offers savings on accommodation, culture, sports, local transport, and more. Travelers can explore solo or bring up to four friends along. Young people who may need additional support can apply for DiscoverEU Inclusion and travel with a youth worker. 

For Ellen, Europe became a place of connection and discovery. For others, it might be the first step into independence, cultural understanding, or lifelong friendships.