First Thoughts of Brussels

First Thoughts of Brussels

Throughout my life I have had the pleasure to visit many exciting cities from various places around the world. Some have been very large cities such as Tokyo and Beijing, while others have been relatively small or barely even extant such as Kibwezi, Kenya. Each place,...

Copa America 2015

I’ll be the first to admit that I am, by far, not really a sports person. I know, I know. Why choose the University of Alabama if you don’t watch sports? Well even though I don’t enjoy watching the games, I really love the atmosphere it creates when an entire group...

The Palio of Sienna

The Palio is a festival in Sienna Italy that has been going on since medieval times. There are 17 district in the city called contradas.  Each contrada has its own flag,  traditions, and public buildings. The people of a contrada are considered your family and stay...

Back in the U.S.A.

One month of studying abroad in China has come to a close. We landed in the Chicago airport and I had to sprint to my next flight. I thought I would not be able to say goodbye to my classmates but as it turns out, my flight was delayed. My classmates and I found each...

An American in China

After thirty-six hours of traveling, I have finally arrived in China. When we arrived at the Beijing airport, our group had two hours to explore before the next flight. So, a few of my classmates and I decided to eat at one of the airport restaurants. The waitress did...

Berlin, Ghent, and London

When I first arrived in Berlin, Germany, we immediately went to go explore the city. Although I was tired, I was so excited to be in this new country and I wanted to experience new things. We had a little bit of trouble trying to find somewhere to eat lunch. Either...

Coming Home

It feels weird packing up.  For the past four months, all of the people and friends I have met, the places I have seen, and the adventures I have been living will now all be a part of the past.  It is hard knowing that Italy is far away from me.  Don’t get me...

#america

I have just completed my first week back home in the United States and it was not what I was expecting. I have been able to see my family and friends as well as have some interesting encounters with strangers. When I arrived in the airport, it was weird hearing...

A Journey Across the World

I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to travel abroad during my college years. Yet, here I am, about to leave for China. My study abroad group and I will be traveling for thirty-six hours to arrive in Xiamen, China. I have absolutely no idea what to...

Oxford Travel Journal Pt.1

Traveling, even for the most grounded person, is something I think all of us dream of doing. In secret, openly, everyone wants to see parts of the world they have never seen before. No matter if it’s a neighboring county or the opposite hemisphere. For me, I...

Why Chile

I’m wandering through the student union in midwinter, attempting to kill time before class. Fortunately for my wanderlust and unfortunately for my finances, today is the study abroad fair. Each booth whispers to me, reaching with phantom hands to pull me closer....

Burger King Sells Beer?

And Subway does too. This may come as a surprise for some of you (as it did for me too) when you travel to another country. Their rules and norms are sometimes completely different from the united states, which can be cool or sometimes even crappy. While living in...

Home Sweet Home… Sort of.

Well, my glorious four week adventure in Spain has finally come to an end. I’m sitting here in my living room, back in my own house, eating goldfish and catching up on TV. It seems kind of dull when I compare it to what I was doing just a week ago. A friend and...

True Adventure

One thing I’ve learned on this trip is the true meaning of adventure. Some may consider it stepping out of their comfort zone to travel to another country, but comfort can be found anywhere. True adventure comes when you immerse yourself. If you are not going to take...

Walking the Plank

We spent the last four nights of our trip in a small beach town named Pefkohori, just relaxing and recuperating from climbing so many mountains.  Yesterday, we decided to spend the day at sea on a ship that left from the docks around 9:30 am.  My roommate and I woke...