One of the best parts about studying abroad in Europe is the accessibility of travel. Events and places that seem like nothing but a dream when you’re in the United States suddenly become a reality. EasyJet flights, cheap hostel rooms and the weekend combine for an unforgettable experience. I just had my first study abroad trip to Munich, Germany for Oktoberfest, and it was one of the best weekends of my life.

Oktoberfest is the German equivalent of the Orange County Fair, except there are tons of beer gardens and everyone is drinking happily the whole day. There are rides, food stands serving traditional German fare like pretzels and schnitzelbrötchen (breaded chicken and pork sandwiches), and of course, the all-important beer tents.

I met up with a friend from USC who is studying in Paris this semester on Friday night around 11 p.m. and went to a local German bar after the Oktoberfest grounds closed. Even though we had planned a trip to Oktoberfest, ostensibly the mecca of beer-lovers, I don’t like beer, so we asked for two ciders. The gruff bartender simply told me, “No.” So, I put my big girl pants on and asked for two beers. They were surprisingly good, and we spent a few hours chatting with the locals and enjoying the cozy atmosphere. My initial impression of Germany was that everyone was standoffish and mean, but I had been so wrong; everyone was so kind to us, and we felt welcomed even in a bar that clearly saw very few Americans.

However, Oktoberfest itself is not an event for the weak. If you hate vomit, standing in lines or getting beer splashed all over (sound familiar, 28th St.?), do not attend. We began our day bright and early with the free hotel breakfast before journeying over to the grounds. We were surrounded by everyone in traditional Oktoberfest attire, and while the Germans had authentic dirndls and lederhosen, those studying abroad wore cheap Amazon knockoffs that were quickly covered in beer.

We first went to the Hofbräu tent which is the international hub. It seemed like every study abroad kid in the world was at Oktoberfest; we met students from North Carolina, Colorado and more while sipping on the massive steins of beer. At Oktoberfest, there’s an atmosphere unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced; everyone from 18-year-olds to people in their 60s drink, laugh and dance together while live bands play both traditional German music and popular songs.

One of my favorite memories of Oktoberfest was singing along to “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond with everyone in the Paulaner tent. The joy was infectious and you could tell that everyone was having the time of their lives. It was one of those moments in life where you are fully present and taking in every detail around you. I realized then that even though I was in the middle of the moment, this was a memory that I would carry with me forever.

We spent the majority of our day hopping between tents, rides and food stands, as we were trying to take in everything Oktoberfest had to offer. We braved the line to get back into Hofbräu in the afternoon and spent nearly 45 minutes crushed between people as we tried to get the servers’ attention so they would let us in. Eventually, we got back in and spent most of the afternoon and evening socializing with some Germans and other Americans. However, we weren’t just drinking straight beer the whole day: the best beer at Oktoberfest is actually a radler, a mix of beer and lemonade.

Oktoberfest is one big international party where people from all over the world come to enjoy good vibes and socialize. We spent most of our time with people we had just met, and we even left Oktoberfest with some Swiss guys we had met merely five minutes prior to closing to go enjoy some authentic kebab in downtown Munich. Although we were awake for nearly 21 hours, it was one of the most fun days of my life, filled with new friends, lots of dancing and great food.

If you ever study abroad in Europe, Oktoberfest is an absolute must, even if you don’t like beer like me. It’s so much more than just beer — it’s a truly unique experience that I can’t wait to return to. But for now, I have to get back to my studies here in Edinburgh, where in the midst of endless pages of Latin and Greek, I have visits to the National Galleries, a hike up Arthur’s Seat and a traditional Sunday roast planned.

Hannah Contreras is a junior writing about her experiences abroad in Europe. Her column, “Notes from Abroad,”  usually runs every other Friday.