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As summer unfolds, Jennifer Wolfe, who recently graduated with an electrical engineering degree from the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is embarking on an epic journey through Europe.
Currently in week four of her six-week adventure, Wolfe is navigating her way through a meticulously planned six-week trip that serves as a perfect bridge between graduation and her upcoming role as a network engineer at AT&T in Atlanta.
A Trip Born from Wanderlust
Wolfe is not trekking alone. She met her boyfriend, Carson, while studying abroad at Georgia Tech-Europe (GTE) in spring 2022.
ECE Takes You There
This story is part of the "ECE Takes You There" summer series highlighting student, faculty, and alumni summer adventures! From exciting internships to international travel, discover how the ECE community is exploring, learning, and growing.
“We would go on the most exciting weekend trips when we started dating,” said Wolfe. “We knew we wanted to go back because there was still so much to see.”
The couple decided to revisit the place where their love story began and to further explore France, Italy, and Greece. After saving for months during previous summer internships, they jetted overseas this summer to mark the end of their Georgia Tech journey and celebrate a new life chapter.
Check out Jennifer and Carson's full summer itinerary here
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Taylor Swift, French Bread, and Roller Coasters
The adventure began in France, highlighted by a long-awaited Taylor Swift concert in Lyon.
“We got floor seats for $300 each, and we were pretty close to the stage, which was really cool,” said Wolfe.
Wolfe with her boyfriend Carson and Professor Timothy Stoneman and his wife Tonya out for dinner.
Jennifer and Carson during a wine tour of the Beaujolais region.
They then took a wine tour of the Beaujolais region, staying in a medieval village just outside Lyon. The couple also did a river cruise along the Seine with the Eiffel Tower as the backdrop. After soaking in the historic charm and culinary delights of France and seeing the French countryside, they ventured to Rust, Germany, for a thrilling day at Europa Park, a renowned roller coaster theme park.
Their early itinerary also included a nostalgic visit to GTE in Metz, where they reunited with their favorite professor, Timothy Stoneman who teaches “Intro to European History.” Their visit rekindled memories of unique educational experiences, such as making French bread, cheese tasting, and a visit to a nuclear waste facility half mile underground in Germany. During that class they also visited an Airbus factory in Toulouse, France to see the final assembly line for A320 aircrafts.
The French leg of their travels also included stops in iconic locations such as Mont Saint-Michel.
“(Mont Saint-Michel) is a super old giant abbey from the 1200’s on an island near the coast of Normandy, and it looks like the castle from the movie Tangled,” said Wolfe. “It was the one place I did not get to visit during study abroad, and I was so excited to finally experience it.”
Jennifer touring Mont St. Michel, a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, France
Jennifer and Carson after a river cruise along the Seine with the Eiffel Tower as the backdrop.
Jennifer touring the Louvre in Paris, France.
Jennifer and Carson visiting Pierrefonds Castle in the commune of Pierrefonds in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, Northern France
Jennifer and Carson visiting Europa Park
Jennifer and Carson posing in front of Eurosat- CanCan Coaster is an enclosed roller coaster at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany.
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Gelato, Glass Making, and Romantic Landscapes
Next, the couple savored every moment of the Italian leg of their trip, from paddle boating on Lake Garda to a romantic sunset boat cruise.
“One of my favorite parts of (Italy) was visiting the giant funicular railroad where you can go up to the top of the mountain,“ said Wolfe. “You can see the lake and then all the surrounding cities. So that was really cool!”
At Lake Como they visited Villa Babianella, where one of the Star Wars prequels was filmed.
Venice offered a unique experience with a traditional glass-making workshop on Murano Island. They crafted personal keepsakes using the millefiori technique, a traditional approach to craftsmanship of Murano’s artisans. They also saw a quartet play Vivaldi's “The Four Seasons” in an old Venetian concert hall where they had to dress in 18th century period clothing.
“One of the best Italian appetizers that I learned about from Instagram is called prosciutto e melone,” said Wolfe. “The dish is prosciutto ham wrapped around a slice of cantaloupe. So, you get the saltiness of the prosciutto with the sweetness of the melon. So good!”
Jennifer and Carson crafting keepsakes using the millefiori technique in Venice on Murano Island.
Jennifer's new favorite appetizer; prosciutto e melone - prosciutto ham wrapped around a slice of cantaloupe.
Florence and Pisa brought opportunities to marvel at architectural wonders and historic sites, such as exploring the Duomo’s dome where they climbed over 900 stairs. The next day they climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa with a mere 250 steps.
The bustling tourist spots were balanced by quieter moments in local cafes and scenic viewpoints like Piazza Michelangelo where they watched the sunset.
They took an early train to Rome to beat the crowds to visit the Vatican Museum.
“We’ve eaten tons and tons of pasta and pizza,” said Wolfe. “Italy has been a great mix of relaxation and cultural immersion.
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Jennifer and Carson on a Vespa tour on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
Jennifer and Carson visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Jennifer enjoying gelato in Italy.
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Next Stop: Greece and Beyond
The final leg of their journey will take them to Greece, where they will meet Carson’s family and enjoy a three-day cruise through the Greek islands, including Mykonos and Santorini. This part of the trip, a graduation present, promises a blend of family connections and breathtaking Mediterranean views.
Their European adventure will conclude with a visit to Salzburg, Austria, where Carson’s parents got engaged, and a brief stay in Munich to see the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle.
Jennifer and Carson at a Positano cooking class.
Jennifer and Carson at the end of a boat tour in Positano.
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Jennifer and Carson at a fruit stand during their Vespa tour on the Amalfi Coast.
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The Impact of Georgia Tech on Her Journey
Reflecting on her travels, the graduate emphasized the significant role Georgia Tech and the ECE program played in fostering her love for exploration.
“The bond within ECE is strong. Traveling with my classmates and creating lasting friendships has been one of the highlights of my time at Georgia Tech,” she said.
As Wolfe prepares to start her career at AT&T on July 15, she carries with her not only memories of this incredible summer, but also the experiences and connections that shaped her journey at Georgia Tech.
For now, her European adventure continues, filled with discoveries, delicious food, and the promise of more stories to come.
Continue to visit this story and follow Wolfe’s journey through Europe on her travels.
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