Bama Bloggers Abroad
My Time in Panama
As I sit from my dorm’s balcony, I cannot help but reflect on the time I have spent in Panama so far. When I arrived in Panama, I told myself to keep an open mind as I embarked on a new journey, and...
Preparing for Panama
As I count down the days until our group departs for Panama City, I can only reflect on what lays ahead of me. I am very excited to travel outside the United States because this trip will differ...
Classes, City Life, and Weekend Trips
Now that we are midway through the semester, I’ve settled into a rhythm and have a better understanding of how the academic system works here. It feels very different from what I’m used to at...
First Impressions of Seoul
I landed in Seoul completely exhausted and ready for a real bed after the long flight from New York. The roughly 12-hour time difference made it tough to adjust at first, and those first few days...
Eating My Way Through 8 Countries in Europe
I’d consider myself a pretty adventurous eater. While I often cook the same meals at home and tend to order my favorites when I go out, I’m always up for trying something new, especially when...
Paris Day Trip
Our class trip to Paris was the excursion I had most looked forward to before the trip began. However, I quickly realized that I actually dreaded the major tourist attractions. Paris felt like a...
Venice, “La Serenissima,” and 1600 Years of Art & Architecture
The city of Venice is an almost magical maze of waterways, historical sites, and churches, all populated by tens of thousands of tourists as well as its citizens. While that may seem a bit...
A Mystic Land
This picture was taken on top of Diamond Hill in Co. Galway, Ireland. It was the last of the major hikes we did while in the Emerald Isle and absolutely breathtaking. It was cloudy and misty the...
Rome’s Hidden Treasure: The Vatican City, World’s Largest Church
My trip throughout Europe allowed me to encounter some of the most beautiful views and people imaginable; however, none of that could have prepared me for what the Vatican City held to offer. While...
In for the Long Haul: An Honest Take on Long Term Study Abroad
The first month is the most fun I ever had in my life. The second is when I began to hate the country I'm in. The third is when I realized I left my support system behind. And the fourth is when...
Leaving for London! – A First Timer’s Feelings
Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport...which is where I'll be in less than 24 hours! I came across the UA in Oxford program last...
UA in Germany 2025: Strasbourg and Konstanz
Hello everyone! Last time I posted, I showed some photos from Freiburg where our group has been studying and talked about what all we’ve been getting into. This post will be about two excursions...
Hasta Luego Sevilla – I’m Headed Home
My last night in Seville!
Studying Abroad in Seville – More Than I Expected
This is where I attended class.
Before the Books: Exploring Seville and Cádiz
Before classes started here in Seville, I had the chance to explore the city and it’s already been pretty amazing. One of the first things we did was a bike tour of the city. It was a good way to...
Trace in Seville, Spain – UA Education Abroad
Hey, I’m Trace. I’m a student at the University of Alabama, and right now I’m studying abroad in Seville, Spain through the UA Education Abroad program. I’m really thankful to be a recipient of this...
Deutsche Bahn and the Unexpected Beauty of Getting Absolutely Lost
The Plan On the tail end of our trip, my travel buddy Brady and I finished our study abroad in Prague and we are supposed to fly out of Berlin. We decided to stay a couple days past the programs end...
More about Sevilla, Spain
After having been in Sevilla for about 3 weeks, I’ve observed and gained a deeper insight to the culture here. The one thing that peaked my interest was why Sevilla is the way it is: the tiny...
Soaring in Sevilla, Spain
Studying abroad is an experience I knew I wanted to embark on during my time in college. Having the opportunity to study in Spain is a blessing because I'm putting myself out of my comfort zone and...
Snacks, Suppers, and Siestas – A Spain Specific Schedule
I have experienced many culture shocks just from attending UA—one of the biggest being game days. At least for that, I had a relative idea of what going to an SEC school would be like, but the...
Jetlag Jitters
If there is one thing that anyone knows about traveling, it’s that there is a likely chance you may get jetlag going from point A to point B. While this may not have been the biggest worry I had in...
How I feel being back in the US
Coming home after studying abroad is an emotional rollercoaster. I remember getting off the plane and feeling both happy and sad at the same time. The sounds of English, the ease of getting around...
Why I’m going to Italy to study abroad and how I’m getting ready
Italy was the ideal destination for me to study abroad, thanks to its rich history, stunning art, and vibrant culture. Italy was the perfect place for me to get out of my comfort zone and grow as a...
Halfway point of the best time of my life!
First Impressions When I initially went to Italy, I was both excited and scared. When I came to Florence, I kept asking myself, "Is this happening?" "Am I ready for this?" and "I can't wait to eat...
The End of an Era: Post-Trip Thoughts
Wow, what an incredible time it's been. I can't believe it's already over. On my first day, I stepped into the apartment and saw the view outside and immediately said to myself, "I'm going to miss...
The Final Days
As my six-week experience in Colombia comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on what an amazing journey it’s been. During these final days, I’m doing everything I can to soak it all in and...
First Impressions
Coming to Colombia, I was very excited because it has a culture I've always admired, and I would have six weeks to explore and enjoy. When I heard about the opportunity to study abroad, IN Colombia,...
Post-trip thoughts: May in New Zealand!
As I reflect back on my trip, I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I can’t help but think of what a privilege it was to have the opportunity to experience the things I did while abroad in New...
Mid-trip Update: May in New Zealand!
Here I am about halfway through my trip in Christchurch, New Zealand! The trip so far has been an absolute whirlwind in the best way. Our days have been absolutely jam-packed and I am exhausted...
Scared to Study Abroad? So Was I
To be honest, studying abroad was never really on my mind or on my bucket list of things to do during my college years. However, once my scholarship package offered a stipend to use specifically...
Wait… How Much Is That? A Students Guide to Pesos
A bottle of water is 3,000? A cab ride is 20,000? Here is a break down how Colombian pesos work in normal, student-friendly terms and ways to exchange your money. Colombia uses the Colombian...
5 Things to Buy Abroad
I’m currently studying abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia. I packed my suitcase, my book bag, and a tote bag like I was preparing for every scenario possible. I already wrote an article about things...
Five Things I Wish I Brought to Colombia
I am currently studying abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia. I packed my suitcase, book bag, and tote. As someone who both over and under packed, I will tell you what I wished I would have brought...
Preparations for my journey to Seville, Spain
I chose to study abroad because of the immense opportunity and cultural awareness I would gain by doing so. My first study abroad journey is a 2 course, 6 credit hour opportunity in Seville, Spain....
My Study Abroad Experience in Spain
My journey to Spain went according to plan as my first week in Seville I ventured across the city various times. I visited Plaza De Espana, a famous square in Seville. The beautiful architectural...
There No Place like The Cu Chi Tunnels
We are coming up to our last destination of our Vietnam trip, Ho Chi Minh City. It was known as Saigon until it was renamed to honor the first President of the United Vietnam, Ho Chine Minh. Ho Chi...
The Day I Realized What Trekking Truly Meant
We have been in Vietnam for a week now. Just long enough where you truly start to get adjusted to everything happening around you. We started off in Hanoi, and now we are visiting the beautiful rice...
You Never Know What to Expect
I think when going to a new country, you realize that there will be differences, but you can't truly know what they are until you get there. In my case, I didn't realize that motorbikes were...
Week two in Seville
I’ve now been in Seville, Spain, for two weeks, and I can say it’s very different than what I expected. The culture here is rich and deep, and the history goes all the way back to the 15th century....
End of My Journey in Seville
I finished my classes 3 days ago, and now I’m preparing to take my very long flight back home. Right now, I feel extremely excited to be heading back because I really miss being able to communicate...
From Stranger to Sevillano: A Monday in Seville
Now that I’ve spent a few weeks settling into life in Seville, I decided to take a closer look at an ordinary Monday to see what still surprises me and what’s starting to feel more familiar. Mondays...
Saying Goodbye, Looking Ahead: My Study Abroad Journey Starts Now
Hi, I’m Amelia from New Orleans, I am preparing for my study abroad adventure in Benin, Africa. As a student in the foreign languages and literature program, I’ve always been drawn to francophone...
First Day in France
I landed at the airport around noon in Paris, France and took a bus to Tours, France to meet my host family after landing. I was tired and super nervous to meet them. Meeting them eased some of my...
From Tours, France to Paris, France – A Roller Coaster of Events
After spending a month in Tours, France, I have had numerous interesting experiences. The culture shock has worn off, and I have adjusted to life here. Classes were intensive, and my French has...
Before Benin: Beginning My Study Abroad Adventure
When I signed up for UA in Benin I was very nervous, knowing little about Benin and throwing myself into this adventure alone. I had never been away from home for such a long time, and had never...
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...