by Ava S. | Jul 2, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
As I sit from my dorm’s balcony, I cannot help but reflect on the time I have spent in Panama so far. When I arrived in Panama, I told myself to keep an open mind as I embarked on a new journey, and I believe that mindset has allowed myself to adapt to the new...
by Ava S. | Jul 2, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
As I count down the days until our group departs for Panama City, I can only reflect on what lays ahead of me. I am very excited to travel outside the United States because this trip will differ from the previous times I went abroad. The first time I traveled to...
by Dan L. | Jul 2, 2025 | Asia, Engineering, Semester, Summer, UA-Affiliate
Now that we are midway through the semester, I’ve settled into a rhythm and have a better understanding of how the academic system works here. It feels very different from what I’m used to at Alabama. Most classes do not include regular homework or smaller...
by Dan L. | Jul 2, 2025 | Asia, Engineering, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I landed in Seoul completely exhausted and ready for a real bed after the long flight from New York. The roughly 12-hour time difference made it tough to adjust at first, and those first few days felt like a blur. But as I started to settle in, I felt grateful that I...
by Anna L. | Jun 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Semester
Here I am about halfway through my trip in Christchurch, New Zealand! The trip so far has been an absolute whirlwind in the best way. Our days have been absolutely jam-packed and I am exhausted each night when going to bed. While there absolutely have been some...
by Natalie F. | Jan 7, 2025 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Back home and feeling a little bit of reverse culture shock: not having to tackle waiters to get the check, not knowing how or what to recycle, not using cash and coins. It’s been just a week, and I can feel my language skills slipping even though I’m still consuming...
by Annabelle B. | Jan 7, 2025 | Europe, Honors College, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Thinking of Studying Abroad? Here Are My Top Tips! Studying abroad is one of the most exciting, life-changing adventures you can embark on. It’s not just about academics, it’s about discovering new cultures, meeting amazing people, and stepping out of your...
by Tasha B. | Jan 6, 2025 | Africa, Faculty-Led, Semester, Social Work, _
I’m excited and nervous. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to study abroad, but life got in the way and prevented me from fulfilling my dreams. With my daughter being an adult and a college student herself, I thought it was a perfect time for me to have this...
by Hana F. | Jan 6, 2025 | Africa, Asia, Commerce & Business, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Embarking on Semester at Sea is singlehandedly the best decision I have made in my entire life. Ever since I was in middle school I knew I wanted to participate in the program and my dream has finally come true. I have just returned from Thailand, where the ship...
by Hana F. | Jan 6, 2025 | Africa, Commerce & Business, Semester, UA-Affiliate
During my time on Semester at Sea, I was able to visit Ghana for a few days. Our ship, the MV World Odyssey, ported in Tema, Ghana for three days and Takoradi, Ghana, for three days in October. My time in Ghana was very enriching and allowed me to fully immerse myself...
by Brynn M. | Dec 17, 2024 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
I will never forget the nerves and anxiety I felt the day I flew from Newark to Barcelona. There was so much unknown and it scared me that it wasn’t a quick trip, but a three month experience. I know now that all of the good and bad emotions that filled me...
by Brynn M. | Dec 17, 2024 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Three weeks ago today I arrived to the Newark airport filled with feelings of fear, regret, and doubt. I wondered how an experience that I have always dreamed of could be so scary. I knew this would be a life changing experience but I couldn’t ignore these...
by Annabelle B. | Dec 17, 2024 | Europe, Honors College, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
After living here for six weeks, I now see Paris on a deeper, more nuanced level. Paris is not just a beautiful city, it is a place where the layers of history and culture are intricately woven into the urban landscape. Paris has become a place to observe and reflect,...
by Natalie F. | Dec 12, 2024 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
by Brynn M. | Dec 10, 2024 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Throughout my time here in Spain I have been lucky enough to travel to many places throughout Europe. I knew I wanted to take advantage of the accessibility to other places while in Spain, but over the last two months I have been able to see places that I dreamed of...
by Alex F. | Dec 10, 2024 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Exchange, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Now that I have been in Seoul for a month, I can say how truly prepared I was for my time abroad. I would say I was prepared in the sense of paperwork and cultural expectations of Korea. I was not prepared for the language barrier and the weather. Even though I...
by Alex F. | Dec 10, 2024 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
While you’re abroad, try to explore cities beyond your university’s location. You can gain a deeper understanding of a country by experiencing its different regions, rather than just staying in one place. My university is in Seoul, South Korea, but I made a...
by Jedidiah L. | Dec 10, 2024 | Asia, Engineering, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Before studying abroad, I had never taken a language class, even back in middle and high school. It was actually something I regretted, and one of the reasons I wanted to study somewhere that English wasn’t the main language, so I chose Japan. I was fortunate...
by Jedidiah L. | Dec 10, 2024 | Asia, Engineering, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
During orientation, we were told about what we might experience not just while abroad, but also when we get back. They talked about reverse culture shock, and how the initial excitement of returning home can sometimes be followed by sadness. Though I’m sure it...
by Natalie F. | Dec 10, 2024 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Alright so, it’s truly Fall now, but it’s been cold here in Northern Germany since early-mid September and man is it hard to go from the endless Southern Summers to real seasons again. I feel like I’ve been traveling every weekend, which I kind of have been: Berlin,...
