by Asya M. | Oct 15, 2025 | Africa, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer
First Impressions When I arrived in Livingston, Zambia, I was immediately struck by the vibrant culture and warm atmosphere. The red clay roads, bustling markets, and welcoming smiles made me feel both excited and a little overwhelmed. I felt a mix of gratitude and...
by Asya M. | Oct 15, 2025 | Africa, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer, _
Motivation/ReasoningI chose to go on a mission trip to Livingstone, Zambia, because I felt called to serve and make a difference beyond my local community. This opportunity aligned with my passion for healthcare, faith, and helping underserved populations. I...
by Kaylee K. | Oct 14, 2025 | Africa, _
Growing up, I often heard about college students studying abroad and the positive impact it had on their lives. As my final semester at UA approaches, I have decided that now is the right time for me to take that step. My main concern was choosing a destination where...
by Anika C. | Oct 14, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer
I leave tomorrow morning for Rabat, Morocco, and it still doesn’t feel real. This trip is something I’ve been looking forward to, but now that it’s here, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I’ve studied abroad in theory before, reading about it and planning,...
by Alexis H. | Oct 14, 2025 | Africa, Asia, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Since I’m studying abroad on Semester at Sea, my “host location” is a bit unconventional, the MV World Odyssey, sailing in the middle of the ocean. What drew me to this program, and what I’ve come to love most, is the incredible sense of community on board. When I...
by Alexis H. | Oct 14, 2025 | Africa, Asia, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I had known since my freshman year of high school that I wanted to go on Semester at Sea, and I was beyond excited for my junior year of college to finally take on this adventure. Still, deciding to study abroad during the year when none of my friends were going felt...
by Caeli T. | Oct 10, 2025 | Africa, Internship, Social Work, Summer, _
My internship in Ghana has been an incredible and transformative experience. During the weekends, I’ve had the chance to explore different parts of the country, including Accra, where I visited historical sites like Jamestown, the National Museum of Ghana, the...
by Mollie M. | Oct 10, 2025 | Africa, Asia, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
I am currently wrapping up my study abroad experience. 10 countries, 100+ days, and many memories and stories I am taking home. Above all, I have learned so much about myself and my lifestyle that I would love to share with you all. Whether you take this with you on...
by Reagan R. | Oct 10, 2025 | Africa, Internship, Semester, _
Living in Greater Accra, the trotro experience became a daily adventure for me. Trotros are shared minivans or buses that locals use for public transport, and they’re honestly a bit chaotic. They’re cheap and flexible, but they’re not for the faint of heart. Trotros...
by Caeli T. | Oct 10, 2025 | Africa, Internship, Social Work, Summer, _
I have been waiting my whole life for an opportunity like this to work internationally. For the past two years, I have been counting the days until I could get to Ghana. This program is why I stayed with the University of Alabama for grad school. And now that I am...
by Reagan R. | Oct 7, 2025 | Africa, Semester, Social Work, UA-Affiliate, _
After being home for two weeks there have been a flood of emotions about being back home and missing Ghana. Coming back from Ghana has been a lot harder than I expected. I thought I’d be happy to return to the usual comforts of home — hot showers, fast internet,...
by Angelina | Oct 6, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led
Pictured in this post is the Cape Coast Castle in Cape Coast, Ghana. It was originally built by Sweden in the 17th century. Over the years, many countries took possession of it until the 1660s when the English took over. While being there, we toured the entire castle,...
by Makiya H. | Oct 6, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Returning home from Cotonou, Benin after a transformative four-week study abroad experience has been both comforting and surprisingly disorienting. While I was excited to reunite with family, sleep in my own bed, and return to the familiar rhythm of life at home, I...
by Madysen R. | Oct 6, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Sunset in Kakum National Park As I prepared to study abroad, I had so many thoughts and expectations. Going to Ghana was not something I ever anticipated being a part of my academic and personal journey, but it ended up being one of the best and most valuable...
by Tasha B. | Sep 12, 2025 | Africa, Social Work, _
Hi from Ghana, my first impression upon arriving in my host country was excitement and amazement, and the country’s scenery. But when I arrived at the host college, I quickly had thoughts running through my head like what in the world did I get myself into...
by Olivia B. | Jul 22, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I left Benin on June 29, and have had time to reflect on the incredible experiences I had. The UA in Benin program was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially because it was a faculty-led program in our professor’s hometown. Having a local guide us through Benin,...
by Reagan R. | Jul 17, 2025 | Africa, Faculty-Led, Semester, Social Work, _
I chose to study abroad in Ghana, Africa, as it has long been an educational goal of mine. Several key factors influenced my decision, including the affordability of the program, the rich cultural and academic opportunities Ghana offers, and the support I would...
by Amelia W. | Jul 14, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Now that I’m done with my experience studying abroad in Benin, I have learned a lot, but not only in terms of academics; it also has been a very personal journey for me. In retrospect, there are certainly things I wish I’d known before I flew the coop. So to anyone...
by Amelia W. | Jul 14, 2025 | Africa, Summer, _
One of the main languages spoken in Benin, Africa is Fon and another commonly spoken language here is french. I personally am fluent in french and hearing Fon has confused me since some words sound completely different and some are the exact same. This has lead to me...
by Makiya H. | Jul 10, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
As my four-week study abroad experience in Benin, Africa comes to an end, I’m filled with mixed emotions like gratitude, nostalgia, and a little bit of sadness. The first week was a whirlwind of excursions, where we immersed ourselves in the culture, history, and the...
