Preparing for Abroad

Many stressful questions come up when you decide to study abroad. Some are about money, traveling, food, safety, and clothing. I know I had a million. My best mode of discovering the answers to these questions was asking people who have been. I asked friends, family,...

ciao for now

I am now five days post-travel home and have had plenty of time to reflect on my experience in Italy studying the Reggio approach to learning and teaching. I have also thought a lot about the difference between the United States and Italy. I was surprised by how much...

Back in the States!

Today has been a long day of travel. We left Hotel San Marco at 3:30 am to depart for the Bologna airport. Our flight schedule today was Bologna to Rome to Chicago to Birmingham. We will have been traveling well over 24 hours by the time we arrive back in Bama! (We...

a teacher’s role

Day ‘tre’: such a neat day visiting a local Catholic school, recycling center, and University of UNIMORE. The private Catholic school consisted of a lower level of kindergarten students (ages 3-5), as well as a second level with primary students (6-10) and...

Arrivederci, America!

  As I am sitting in the Chicago O’Hare International Airport, during a f i v e hour layover, I am already reflecting on how this experience will change my perspective on so many different things. Early this morning, several girls and I went to Chick-fil-A in the...

Italy, here I come…

To be completely honest, the thought of traveling gives me an unsettled feeling. This feeling shows no discrimination to distance, as I become anxious over a simple trip to a neighboring state. That being said, you can only imagine the emotions I am going through as I...

Bring on the Pasta!!

On a typical day during the fall semester of 2017, my best friend and I were sitting in our night class when a former professor came to speak to our group about a trip that she had in the works to Reggio Emilia, Italy. Jokingly, I looked at my friend and said “let’s...

After Abroad

So now you’ve been to some fascinating places, made wonderful friends, learned a lot about yourself, what now? Returning to my home campus was a reality check, that life is a little more simple on a daily basis than the last month I spent in Rome, and a few...

Skomer Island, Wales

  While abroad I have learned a lot, and had the wonderful opportunity to travel. This is a picture of me and a dear friend I was able to meet here, Elyssa. We had just finished hiking a natural reserve, Skomer Island in Wales. This is my favorite weekend of the...

While Abroad

Upon arriving at Oxford, I was amazed at the beautiful architecture and the main lawn at the entrance of Worcester College. It felt prestigious to be here. The lawns and orchard are some of my favorite spots. They, along with the quaint coffee shops and bustling...

Pre-Departure Thoughts

I have several reasons for wanting to study abroad. I have always wanted to travel, and I figured that if any time was a good time to try, it would be now. Since I am a pre-med student, I would like to use the time I have available before medical school to its...

Let’s GO!!

I am very exciting that the days are getting closer to my departure… Just 8 days now! When deciding where to go abroad I really struggled because I was hopeful to go somewhere tropical and full of coral reefs, but instead I am going to Europe which is just fine...