by Sadie B. | Aug 25, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
One of the many murals inside the City Hall building of Oslo Hello everyone! My name is Sadie Benson, and I am an upcoming sophomore at the University of Alabama, majoring in Finance and Accounting. This summer II, I am studying Literature in Norway. Before travelling...
by Cassidy G. | Aug 24, 2026 | Africa, Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Internship, Summer, _
After spending the last three months in Europe, I’m finally back in the United States. It’s strange not spending every Thursday night figuring out where I’m flying next or every weekend wandering through a new city. For months, my life revolved...
by Kate B | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Education, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
The latter two photos were taken on my trip to Washington State. The first photo is from my first day in Dublin, wearing my new raincoat! Since I’m majoring in Secondary Education Social Science, studying abroad becomes harder for me to fit with my coursework as I...
by Bayli Drobil | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
When I initially committed to studying abroad back in early spring, I was hesitant about the fact that none of the friends I had already made at UA would be joining me in Oxford. During my orientation, there were groups of people who already knew each other going into...
by Bayli Drobil | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
As somebody who just returned from studying abroad in Oxford for the month of July, I thought it would be helpful to share what I believe are essential things to pack in your suitcase. Before leaving for my trip, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I...
by Gracie P. | Aug 24, 2026 | Comm & Info Sciences, Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Hard to believe that one week has passed since I got to Porto, Portugal for the European Innovation Academy! This study abroad program marks my first international flight, my first time in Europe, and not to mention my first time studying abroad— let’s just say...
by Arianna Jones | Aug 24, 2026 | Asia, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
First Day at J.F. Oberlin University I’m currently in my last two weeks of studying abroad, and it’s crazy to think I’ve been away from home for a month already. Through this program and classes, I have taken so far. I’ve been able to meet new people, eat...
by Allison D. | Aug 24, 2026 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Human Environmental Sciences, Summer
Now that I am back home, I miss having walking incorporated into my daily life. I enjoy exercise with a purpose, and walking to get places gives you a purpose to exercise. I am, however, glad to be able to drive in a car with air conditioning. I have found myself...
by Rebecca M. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
These are some Japanese Stab Binding books that I got to make in my Book Arts Class While I am studying at Oxford, I am taking two classes. The first is a fantasy creative writing course with Dr. Kidd. Within the class, we read short stories, discuss elements of Lewis...
by Rebecca M. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
As someone who has had a peanut allergy my entire life, I have become very used to navigating eating in the states. I know how to properly read the ingredient labels, how to order in restaurants, and what ingredients to expect in common US foods. However, when going...
by Rebecca M. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
Paddington London Underground Station While I was studying abroad in Oxford, I did not ride in a car for the entire month. Instead, I had the opportunity to use every other common form of transportation. I used planes, trains, buses, and even boats. Before going...
by Bayli Drobil | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Closer Look at Christ Church Meadow Gorgeous View of Magdalen College One of the first things I had to adjust to when I arrived in Oxford was the time difference. Coming from Alabama, I was six hours behind the United Kingdom, which did not feel like a major...
by Arianna Jones | Aug 24, 2026 | Asia, Summer, UA-Affiliate
It was a long travel day back home; I slept the majority of the time on my flights. Arriving to the first of many airports in the U.S. was interesting. A mixture of the bittersweetness of such a crazy experience and the relief of getting home. I got...
by Alex D. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
Being back in the wonderful state of Iowa again after being abroad in Guatemala for three weeks is certainly jarring. The other day I went to Culver’s and began ordering in Spanish before realizing my mistake. Having been to a country far different from our own...
by Kate B | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Education, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
When people talk about going abroad, culture shock is a topic that often comes up. Two days after arriving in Ireland, I should have been deep in culture shock, but instead I experienced something stranger: uncanny familiarity. We were hiking the Spinc, which roughly...
by Jenaia P. | Aug 24, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Walking through the airport back in the States was weird. My first thought was pure relief. I was ready for my own bed, ready to see my parents, and ready to stop living out of a suitcase. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being abroad. But after two weeks of constant...
by Elena K. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Human Environmental Sciences, Summer
The British Medical Association I am amazed by how much I have learned and experienced during my study abroad program thus far! When I first arrived in London, I felt that it was very similar to the major US cities I have visited, especially those in the Northeast....
by Morgan J. | Aug 24, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Engineering, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, _
Stepping back onto American soil after my time in South America, I realized almost immediately that I returned as a changed person. More than anything, the travel bug has officially bitten me. Prior to this trip, the world outside the United States felt abstract, but...
by Lucas C. | Aug 24, 2026 | Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
After some time back in the US, I’d be lying if I said one of the things I miss most from the UK wasn’t the food. Jokes aside, being back in the states has genuinely felt different. While I figured my only trouble would be un-adapting to some things...
by Katie W. | Aug 24, 2026 | Asia, Exchange, Nursing, Summer, _
My first thoughts arriving to Chiba, I thought about how clean everything was and how the people seemed so nice and friendly, the only thoughts running through me were: Wow everyone is in their own world and respectful. I personally loved the fact that everything was...
