Choosing Africa and How I Got There
I knew when I started college that studying abroad was a wonderful opportunity; however, I never thought it would be possible with a nursing school schedule or useful toward my degree. Within the first month of the Fall 2018 semester, the nursing school announced medical mission trips to Greece and Africa. I was so excited about the possibility of traveling with the nursing school! After attending the information meeting, I was very...
First Impressions of Dublin, Ireland
My name is Matt Delfino and this spring, I am studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland! I arrived in Dublin just last week and so far, I am really enjoying my time here. I am attending University College Dublin this spring in the Lochlann Quinn School of Business, taking classes in Finance and MIS. As I continue to get settled in here, I’ve been reflecting on how I came to study abroad. Originally, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to...
Main Differences between the US and New Zealand
Going into my three weeks in New Zealand, I figured I would find mostly similarities between our countries. What I took away instead were endless differences that taught me a lot. America’s government versus New Zealand’s government was a main topic among UA and NZ students. Through our visit to Parliament, we learned that their government is much more accessible to its citizens than ours. For example, any petition with...
New Zealand Has Found the Child In Me
I am a child again. I first got this feeling flying off the back of the boat in Paihia and dangling in the air next to Terri and Michael looking at the huge ocean below us. The feeling you get when you get lost in the moment and all since of stress and worry no longer exist. I got lost in that moment and I think for the first time was able to truly just live for in it. This feeling solidified during my day trip to the hot springs in...
Nervous and Anxious about Studying Abroad in South Africa
Picture of a morning while on Safari.Pilanesburg, South Africa My first time being on an airplane; my first time traveling outside of the country; my first time studying abroad on a different continent; my first time in Africa, South Africa. My mind is mostly focused on leaving my family and friends as well as being so far away from everyone even if it is a short two-week trip. I have checked my suitcase several times to make sure I...
Experiencing Belize
Being in Belize is like a whole other world. It’s definitely hotter than Alabama. I came off the plane and had to take stairs down to the ground, I felt like a movie star. Once we got into a van to go to our first destination, the landscape started changing. It went from flat land with shrubs to rolling hills of rainforests to miles and miles of ocean. IT’S INCREDIBLE. Plane arriving in Belize I’ve experienced so...