Bama Bloggers Abroad
NF – LUENEBURG – POST 3
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...
Thinking of Studying Abroad? Here Are My Top Tips!
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...
Ghana Bound
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...
Forevermore, Voyage 134
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...
Hana in Ghana
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...
Fighting Jet Lag
My study abroad opportunity was not only my first study abroad, but also my first time ever leaving the United States. I had so many questions about what to bring and what to prepare for, but it is...
Chatty Americans
“Americans are so talkative and friendly—people here don’t just chat with everyone they meet”. This was a comment I got on the train to London at 4 a.m., after spending the past hour talking to...
Grocery Stores: The Real Place for Local Cuisine
Everywhere has a signature food: New York pizza, Wisconsin cheese curds, Kentucky fried chicken. When traveling, we imagine taking advantage of the famous restaurants, and schedule time to sample...
Tips from an Overpacker
I am a chronic overpacker. There’s no getting around it. I always find myself leaving home with a bag bursting at the seams, hoping desperately I don’t have to open it and somehow manage to achieve...
Political Encounters
If you have been on the Internet for any length of time, you have no doubt experienced a sharp divide between European and American users. One can often find the two groups arguing about food,...
My Summer in Europe
As my fall semester comes to an end, all I can think about is my unforgettable trip to Europe—a month-long adventure that I now realize I took for granted. The people I met, the food I tasted, and...
The Best of Times
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...
Settling Into My New Home
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...
Leaving for Rome!
Countdown to Rome: My Dream Trip The thrill of a long-awaited trip to Rome is finally here! For years, Rome has been calling my name with its rich history, stunning architecture, and mouth-watering...
A brief reflection from my time in Paris
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...
Exploring Paradise on Island Time
St. Marteen in a beautiful place with beautiful beaches that I hope to visit again. My favorite part about the beaches there was how clear and blue the waters were. Places I would recommend going to...
While Abroad
Pre-Departure Italy
Reflecting on my time abroad: the dos and don’ts of packing
With this trip being my first time abroad, I had no clue what to pack for a month in Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Now, I realize some things I *really* should have brought with me and some things I...
UA in Holland: Preparing to Return Home
It is now officially less than 24 hours until I depart Copenhagen and catch my flight (well, couple of flights) back to the States. Reflecting on my trip, I can say with full confidence that I have...
Culture Shock and First Impressions of Colombia!
I can confidently say that I had (and still have) a great first impression of Colombia. Everyone was warning me about how hot Colombia is during the summer, but as a native of Mobile, Alabama, heat...
Eurotrip Emotions: The Rollercoaster Ride Home
Post-Colombia Experience: Thoughts and Advice
Now that I'm back home, I have such a great perspective for the rest of my summer and the rest of my college experience. I have learned so much over the past few weeks, both academically and...
WEEKEND IN BARCELONA
Technology in Spain
NF – Lueneburg – Post 1
Visa Application Requirements While Trying to Pass My Finals
Take this advice to heart my friends: if you plan to go abroad for an entire semester maybe do it in the fall so you have the summer to get ready without the nightmare of balancing finals. While I'm...
Chow from Italia!
Readjusting after Italy!
Tips, Reflection, and things I wish I knew!
While Abroad
The first thing I noticed after leaving the airport in Australia was that they drive on the left side of the road, and the drivers are on the right side of the car. Very bizarre from an American. I...
Upon Return
I was a little relieved to be home. 3.5 weeks of non-stop travel and flights and bus rides and activities is a lot, even though it was all so fun and interesting. I was excited to see my parents,...
Embarking on an Adventure: Your Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad
Studying abroad can be an incredibly enriching experience, offering the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, make lifelong friends, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around...
Nostalgia, Endearment, and Reminiscence of España
This will be my final post, and though I didn’t intend for it to arrive so late, I’m very happy that I am reflecting on my experience now after a semester back at Alabama. I think when I first went...
Upon Return
The beginning of my first international adventure
My Unforgettable Experience in Paris
Before I Left: What I Wish I Had Known, The Journey Home, and the Art of Packing!
Beware of Pickpocketing!
Weekend Trip to Rome, Italy
This past weekend two of the other members of the UA in Oxford cohort and myself had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Rome, Italy. A weekend in Rome has been a dream of mine since I was a...
Life after a month in Spain
I can still remember the bus ride to the airport on the day we departed Barcelona. I couldn’t peel my eyes away from the window the whole time. I was trying to memorize every detail of the city. My...
Midnight in Paris
The air in Paris at midnight holds a different kind of magic than the day filled with the footsteps of millions. I remember one particular evening during my time abroad, when I got to experience...
Cannes You Believe It?
When I first arrived in Cannes for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the air was electric with excitement for the week ahead. As a Communication Studies major, I was thrilled by...
Traveling is More Than Just a Trip: It is a New Direction
"Sometimes one day in a different place will give you more than 10 years of life at home." -Anatole French The farthest tip I have ever made was when I decided to leave Illinois for The University...
Overcoming Obstacles: The Little Things
Setbacks come in many shapes and sizes. For me, the worst types of challenges are the little ones that build on each other until you get to the point where any little inconvenience makes you feel...
My time in Europe
When I first arrived in Rome, I was eager to meet my program peers, who I believed would be my support system while abroad. I was thrilled to meet my roommate, Gianna, whom I met over Facetime...
Mi Día Final
Today was my final day of class. As I walked out of the building I was filled with a wave of accomplishment. I started my walk home taking in the sights one last time as this was the last time I...
European Escapades: From Gondolas to Glaciers and Everything In Between!
Spending the month of June in Europe has been an incredibly surreal experience, and it’s bittersweet knowing my journey will end in just a few short days. This past month has flown by, yet it feels...
How to study abroad as a nursing student
My whole life I knew that I wanted to study abroad. It was never a question and always seemed like such an amazing opportunity to learn and grow. Here at UA, the nursing program is 5 semesters long,...
Coming home
After returning home I had to adjust to my old environment. One of the biggest changes was that I had to drive everywhere instead of taking public transportation or having the option to walk. I...
Excursions
I recommend taking advantage of all your free time to explore the area in which you are studying. Even if you just take a train around the city, or go to a park, get out and see everything that you...