by Karli G | Jul 24, 2018 | Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Law, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
When planning my study abroad trip to Australia, I knew that I would be on a strict budget. However, I still wanted to make sure that I was able to see as much as possible in the short 6 weeks that I would be in the country. So I used a few tools for planning my trip...
by Nathan S | Jul 23, 2018 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
My journey to Ireland was one of the best experiences of my life. I have made friendships that I believe will last and connections that could guide me on my way to my career. I went on the trip knowing no one, and by the conclusion of the trip, I feel that I had a...
by Salvatore A | Jul 21, 2018 | Engineering, Europe, Summer, _
I was very excited to get to Denmark after 2 weeks of backpacking. Thankfully, I arrived with two friends who were also in the same program, and met up with a few more that first night. After arriving in Copenhagen, I couldn’t help but smile and appreciate how...
by Caleb W | Jul 18, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
The first thing that stuck out to me as odd when I initially arrived in New Delhi was that traffic in India was much now disorderly than in the United States. Our contacts in India had arranged for taxis to pick up students as they arrived at the airport. As we were...
by Taylor D | Jul 17, 2018 | Australia/New Zealand, Duration, Faculty-Led, Program Type, Region, Summer, _
After the most whirlwind month of my life, I’ve finally made it home. It’s honestly somewhat difficult to absorb everything that’s happened, including that I’m back in Alabama. When I got off the flight and saw my parents, it was a wonderful feeling; however, after...
by Garrett B | Jul 16, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
There is a popular saying among parents: “If your friend jumps off a bridge, would you jump, too?” My parents found out very early on that I was always the friend that jumped first. In the small, blue-collar community outside of New Orleans where I grew up in, there...
by James M | Jul 15, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I went into my study abroad ready to take everything as a learning moment. I triple checked my flight information, the syllabus, the course schedule, and then checked again. Everything will work out. A three-hour flight delay, an impromptu trip to London, and a few...
by Nicholas B | Jul 14, 2018 | Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
My first few steps in Berlin were shaky due to the exhaustion that accompanies trans-atlantic flight. After a good night’s sleep, our group went to experience a service at the Berliner Dom. Almost completely destroyed by the Allies in WWII, this church has been...
by Mackenzie S | Jul 13, 2018 | Faculty-Led, Nursing, South America, Summer, _
Now that I am back home, I realized I was taking so much for granted. This trip was amazing and stressful all in the same time. Our original trip was to Nicaragua and we changed the location last minute due to violent protests in Nicaragua. Due to the recent change,...
by Olivia E | Jul 13, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
It is the last week of June, which sadly means my time in Madrid is coming to an end. As the date of my return flight gets closer and closer the more I realize I don’t want to get on the plane. Madrid has finally begun to feel like home away from home and I have...
by Samantha C | Jul 12, 2018 | Europe, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
I’m suffering from some serious Italy withdrawals. I am so bored now that I am home. I must admit my view here cannot compete with my view from my apartment in Florence. I just miss the smells of fresh food and the water from the river. I also miss the pizza (I...
by Elle G | Jul 12, 2018 | Africa, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer, _
Saying goodbye to the people of Zambia was very sad. The last day of clinic we had to turn away the most people we had all week. It was the hardest thing for us all to say we could not help everyone but as we left we dropped off our extra medicine at a pharmacy for...
by Megan E | Jul 12, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
So, I have been back in sweet home Alabama for a few weeks now, and honestly it does not feel so sweet. Living in Italy for a month was such an amazing experience; it was really eye opening to see how other people live their lives. I lived in the heart of Florence...
by Anuska N | Jul 12, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
After a beautiful month in Italy, I am finally back home in the grand ole USA! And it is good to be back to the comforts of home: air conditioning, having my car, and cheap fast food. I didn’t expect to experience any sort of reverse culture shock since I’ve been to...
by Heather G | Jul 11, 2018 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer, _
It was a long journey home, but I have safely returned to Alabama! After landing and going through dreadful customs at the airport, I was so excited to be able to run into the arms of my mom and dad. I even enjoyed a nice Chick-Fil-A meal on the way home :). While I...
by Caroline S | Jul 10, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
During a free day in our program, a friend and I decided to take a day trip to a site our teacher had recommended– crystal clear natural, spring-fed pools nestled in the Spanish mountains. The destination sounded spectacular and the trip there was free with our...
by Heather G | Jul 9, 2018 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer, _
My first few days in Athens, Greece have been truly amazing. Maybe it is from the pure exhaustion of jet-lag (an eight hour time difference) or maybe it is the excitement of exploring a new country. The first two days consisted of sight-seeing. Our team began the trip...
by Madison K | Jul 8, 2018 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Annnnnnd, we’re back. In America. The home of the brave and land of the free and what not. And let me tell you, it actually is kind of nice to be back. My first night home I all but guzzled a cup of cheese dip at my favorite local Mexican restaurant. Later that week I...
by Madison K | Jul 8, 2018 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Culture shock. Before I left for study abroad and once I arrived at my new temporary home, it seemed to be all people could discuss. I patiently sat through at least five different lectures or online seminars with a graphic of the same culture shock curve presented...
by Anne Marie T | Jul 8, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
My first few days in Madrid were full of sleepy days and sweaty nights. The time difference hit me hard the first few days and all I wanted to do was sleep! Another huge difference was the lack of AC in the bedrooms which led to sleepless night of sweating and...
