by Mary K. | Dec 5, 2025 | Europe, UA-Affiliate, _
This summer, I participated in a study and travel program that took me to three different countries, where I visited a total of seven cities. It was one of the most exciting experiences I have ever had, but living out of my suitcase and constantly moving from place to...
by Kathryn V. | Dec 5, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
While studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, I have had some of the greatest experiences and food of my life. As many people with allergies know, it can be extremely daunting trying to find safe food to eat especially in a new city and new language. Here are some of my...
by Mary Katherine G. | Dec 4, 2025 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Bonjour! France has been wonderful! The seven days we were in Paris, we had a chance to visit the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musée de l’Orangerie, we took a Seine River Cruise, visited Musée d’Orsay, explore Montmartre, including the Sacré-Cœur and...
by Mary Katherine G. | Dec 4, 2025 | Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer
Hi! I’m Mary Katherine, a rising junior majoring in Creative Advertising with a minor in Leadership Communication. I am getting the incredible opportunity to study abroad for the first time with CIS in France, which is a cultural and professional two-week immersion...
by Abrielle B. | Dec 4, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate
Before arriving in Spain, I knew the official language was Spanish. I just didn’t realize how different it would feel actually speaking it in a native country instead of learning it in a classroom. On the day of my arrival, I was immediately immersed in Spanish. I...
by Katrina I. | Dec 4, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
When I first arrived at the airport after landing, I was overwhelmed by a mix of happiness and sadness. Although this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I made the most of it, I was happy to be home and to see all my family and friends. It was an amazing...
by Alayna B. | Nov 17, 2025 | Engineering, Europe, Honors College, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Study abroad was nothing like I had possibly imagined – and yet it was everything that I needed. Before I left, I would have totally considered myself an introvert. I studied alone, and that is what I spent most of my time doing just to survive my engineering career....
by Alayna B. | Nov 17, 2025 | Engineering, Europe, Honors College, Semester, UA-Affiliate
That feeling of regret. I know it all too well. I had planned to study abroad in Madrid for the past 6 months. I was so excited to have a break from my regular courses and experience an entirely new culture. How refreshing that would be! But, when my plane touched...
by Allicyn L. | Nov 17, 2025 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Human Environmental Sciences, North America, Summer, _
Throughout my time abroad, I have been to New York, London, Paris, and Italy. There was definitely a difference of culture, and there were even differences being in the same country but just a different part like for example being from the United States but still the...
by Kathryn V. | Nov 17, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
It is completely normal to have fears of the unknown. As I prepare for my study abroad in Madrid, Spain, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the many fears and unknowns that lie ahead. However, this won’t be the first or the last time I am uncomfortable or unsure....
by Luke M. | Nov 12, 2025 | _
I studied abroad in Athens, Greece, but made sure to travel to other locations in Greece and many other countries. In Greece, I went to Meteora, Mount Olympus, Nafplio, Santorini, Crete, and Aegina. Outside of Greece, I went to 12 other countries. Some of my favorite...
by Jenna V. | Nov 7, 2025 | _
To whom it concern, Yesterday was our last day in Florence, Italy. Today we woke up, road the train to Naples, had a cultural immersion tour and then we got on the ferry and went to Sorrento. So far I’ve already seen a lot of differences between the city of Florence...
by Kimora B. | Nov 6, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Hey, everyone! My name is Kimora Branch and I am a rising Junior at UA! I had never traveled outside of North America before my study abroad to Vienna, Austria, and I am currently 3 days away from returning to the USA from my program! As someone who is not very well...
by Nicole J. | Nov 6, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
On paper, my summer didn’t look too busy: three weeks in New Zealand and 10 days at home followed by another three weeks in Italy. But in practice? I rocked back and forth between losing my mind to boredom and desperately trying to get enough sleep to feel...
by Macy M | Nov 4, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
When I first landed in Stuttgart, Germany, I was exhausted. I just flew over nine hours with no food or sleep. Because my plane was delayed, I missed my train, so I took a taxi instead. The language barrier was almost immediately. I could hardly understand him and my...
by Maggie N. | Nov 4, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Flying alone has been one of my biggest fears for years. I’ve flown once, with my parents, across the United States and it was overwhelming, fast, and confusing. Imagine how I felt when the realization hit that the study abroad program I chose for the summer...
by Haylee P. | Nov 4, 2025 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Haylee Elizabeth Pack This morning, I visited Holyrood Palace, one of my favorite stops from my last trip. It still holds that same magic for me. As a longtime fan of Mary Queen of Scots, walking through the rooms where she lived and learning more about her history...
by Abrielle B. | Nov 4, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate
I tasted eggplant, which I had never eaten before, on my first night in Seville, Spain. I was apprehensive at first, but I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful and tasty it was. The next day, I tried tapas—small appetizer-style foods intended for sharing—for the...
by Claire A. | Nov 4, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
Dear Reader, When I first arrived at Worcester College, I must say that I felt deeply disappointed. The picturesque campus that I had been promised was under renovation, with scaffolding and fences blocking its beauty from view. To add to my disappointment, I realized...
by Claire A. | Nov 4, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
After taking time to reflect on my summer in Oxford, these are the seven tips I have for students studying abroad next year! Research! Take the time to find 3-5 places to visit, events to go to, or foods to try in your new home. Not only with this familiarize yourself...