by Austin P | Jul 25, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
My first impression of Spain was that it was a lucky place to be. When I looked out the plane window upon arrival, I saw a double rainbow encompassing the beautiful mountains and valleys— but the luckiness didn’t last long due to a little mishap with my...
by Savannah L | Jul 25, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer
When we first landed in Haiti, we stayed at a hotel near the airport since it was late at night and traveling to our home for the week was safer in the daylight. The next morning, we woke up early excited to see the city of Porte-Au-Prince while we rode a school bus...
by Kaila | Jul 25, 2016 | Australia/New Zealand, Engineering, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I cannot believe the semester is over! Since I left in the middle of January, I have been abroad for 6 months. The time has flown by. Finals were way more stressful abroad than they were at home because each final was worth either 60 percent or 75 percent of my...
by Paula R | Jul 25, 2016 | Africa, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer
After a long 17 hour flight back to America, and two more flights ahead before arriving back to Birmingham, I am very tired but excited to get home to a hot shower and soft bed. Yet, I am also really missing those sweet Ethiopian faces and their warm hospitality. As I...
by Jennifer P | Jul 25, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
In the utmost college student fashion, I procrastinated when it came to packing for my trip to France. You see, I stayed in Tuscaloosa until May 15th and I was leaving from Atlanta on May 21st. In my mind, I had about six days to fit in an entire summer before I left...
by Samantha S | Jul 25, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Education, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Hallå! My name is Sam and I am heading to study abroad in a faculty lead program in Stockholm, Sweden in a few days. I am from a very small town and I wanted to study abroad to go out a see more of the world. My town is not very cultured and I’ve grown up with...
by Caroline P | Jul 25, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Leading up to my study abroad, as I wrapped up all my Spring classes with finals and said my summer goodbyes, I began to get a little overwhelmed at the thought of leaving the US for nearly two months. There was packing to be done, paperwork to be filled out, and...
by Madeline P | Jul 15, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
My bag is packed, my pre-trip assignments are complete, and I am headed to Oxford, England in the morning! Wow, what a surreal thought. I have zero expectations and many questions, but that is what I am most excited about; I cannot wait to experience Oxford for the...
by Connor S | Jul 15, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA Non-Affiliate
Being in Spain has been both exciting and frustrating at times. For the most part I am loving every minute of Spain: the food, the people , the location are all fantastic. However, the only personal complaint I have is that my Spanish is not as good as I want it to...
by Abigail C | Jul 15, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
I caught the travel bug as a young child and have been eager to return to Europe since visiting the summer following my junior year of high school. The 3 weeks I spent in Paris, France studying ballet at the Académie Américaine de danse de Paris were the most...
by Caroline P | Jul 15, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Paris was always one of those cities I assumed I would visit one day. The imagery of the Eiffel Tower, wide French boulevards, and high culture seems to be a common element of popular culture. From Casablanca to Ratatouille, Paris seems to comprise a large amount of...
by Cody W | Jul 15, 2016 | Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
After I landed in Madrid several thoughts passed through my head. To start Madrid was huge but I wasn’t tall. When I think of big cities in America I usually think New York or Chicago style cities but here it seems cities are more spread out and less tall. After...
by Jacob T | Jul 15, 2016 | Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
My motivation and reasoning for going abroad is quite simple. As a rising senior majoring in chemical engineering, I am required to take a summer term Unit Operations Lab in order to complete my degree. I have always enjoyed traveling and experiencing new things, so...
by Abigail J | Jul 15, 2016 | Central America, Education, Faculty-Led, Summer
“Sorry. I mean Lo siento.,,, Oh wait I mean sorry.” That was the moment I realized that I was no longer in Nicaragua and back in the US. We had just arrived at the Houston airport and I was headed into the bathroom as I ran into lady. I had gotten so used to my...
by Megan B | Jul 15, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Prior to arriving to Russia, I tried not to have too many expectations. My main goal was to enjoy the experience of being here in Russia. Obviously things are different here and that took an adjustment to get used to. Now that my time here is coming to an end, I’m sad...
by Abigail J | Jul 12, 2016 | Central America, Education, Faculty-Led, Summer
Growing up, one of the only college experiences that I heard from my parents was their study abroad trip. They still, to this day, refer to it as the best months of their lives. There was never a doubt in my mind that I wanted to go abroad. My parents have been...
by Caroline W | Jul 12, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I was surprised with how sad I felt leaving Nicaragua. While the heat sometimes felt unbearable, there was something about the people and the culture there that made it all worth it. When I said goodbye to my host mom, she started crying and thanked us for visiting...
by Linnet K | Jul 12, 2016 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Exchange, Semester
안녕 Sitting in a coffee shop in the middle of Seoul and finally realizing that in exactly a month, I will be back in Alabama, is filling me with nothing but sadness. It seems impossible that four months have already passed of my study abroad experience, and it is now...
by Emily H | Jul 12, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Since I was little, I always imagined that I would live in the United States for my entire life. I know the language, the culture, and the best vacation destinations. I always envisioned the extent of my international experience to be restricted to vacations only....
by Anna E | Jul 12, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
So here I am sitting on my bedroom floor, back in Mississippi after a long day of traveling. My suitcase is not unpacked, my parents are trying desperately to keep their excitement of me being home in check (it’s still very obvious of course), and I can’t seem to make...
