My Trip to Bali
During my time in Australia, I had the opportunity to travel to Bali, Indonesia. It was just a little over a 5 hour flight from Sydney. I was excited because it was going to be my first time ever in Asia. Traveling with me were three other girlfriends in my study abroad program. We stayed in a hotel in Kuta, Bali, but were able to travel much of the island. The transportation there was really affordable, along with a lot of...
My Thoughts Before Leaving Abroad to Australia
Sydney, Australia is a world recognized city with lots of things to do. Before embarking on this new adventure, I had my share of feelings of doubts and nervousness. Of course I was beyond excited to explore the other side of the world. There was so much to look forward to. I could not wait to scuba the Great Barrier Reef, feed kangaroos, and learn how to surf. However, I could not help but think “what if I don’t make friends,”...
The Best People in the Best Place
I have always known I wanted to study abroad but where and when were the parts I was never sure of. However, after a friend told me she was also interested in studying abroad and wanting to go to Madrid, I was all in. After months of planning, it was finally time for our month abroad together. We knew we would have two other roommates and just assumed Kaleigh and I would be doing what we wanted and occasionally see our...
Guide to a Summer in Barcelona
Barcelona is a unique city full of many sights and Catalan charm. I have been studying in Barcelona for 4 exciting and super busy weeks. With so much to see and do in a short summer semester, here are a few tips to make the most of your study abroad experience. Be aware of the cultural differences. You have to keep in mind that you are in a different country, so some things that might seem rude or strange to you is normal for...
Some Reverse Culture Shock
It’s been almost a month now since I’ve returned from my study abroad program, and from the beginning of my journey, I knew I wanted to do a post about reverse culture shock. While spending three months in London with the Hansard Scholars Program was a life changing experience, few phenomena compare to coming home after a whirlwind adventure to family and life back in the US. While, culturally, London was a fairly similar city to...
The Semester of Me
At the start of 2017, I promised myself that I would push myself to do things that scared me. Last summer, I decided to move to a new city alone for an internship, and it created a renewed sense of independence within myself. Navigating a new life in this city helped me grow as an individual and reminded me of how exciting life can be if you let it. As I returned to Tuscaloosa in the fall, I was eager to create new adventures and...