Returning From Spain

It has been about two weeks since I came back from Spain. My last couple of days in Spain were spent exploring the capital, Madrid. While in Madrid, I toured the Royal Palace. My favorite part of the tour was seeing the Royal Armory. The Armory has a wide variety of...

A Not so Difficult Decision

Since I left Germany after a two week vacation in high school, my goal has always been to go back, but I did not know how. The opportunity presented itself with the Two Steps Ahead program at UA. The expectations were lofty: become a fluent German speaker inside of...

Greece Abroad

First Impressions My first impression of Greece was “Wow, this looks like home.” The airport in Santorini is up on a cliff and looks a lot like the Sonoran Desert at home in Arizona, except with an ocean view. It was so funny that I had to take a picture....

Getting to Know the Locals

After having spent some time here in Spain, I have realized that every interaction I have is an opportunity to improve my Spanish. While speaking with my fellow students has definitely improved my Spanish, my conversations with native speakers have been the most...

Travels before Copenhagen

Before my class in Copenhagen began, I got the chance to spend a little bit of time touring Europe with my family. My brother, sister, and grandparents met me in Copenhagen to begin our trip. From Copenhagen we flew down to Rome and continued with a trip through Italy...

Barefoot in Barcelona

I had no idea my Study Abroad experience would be this meaningful. The people, places, and events I have been able to experience have been incredible. Living in Pamplona has been a wonderful time with a fantastic group of students and professors for the University of...

Final Week in Spain

This is my last week in Spain. I am starting to miss the US a little bit, but I am not 100% ready to come home. I have had a great time in Spain. Last weekend, we went to Barcelona. We went to Park Guell, the Sagrada Familia, the Olympic Park, and the art museum. I...

Coming to an End

Exactly 4 weeks ago I arrived in Pamplona, Spain. In exactly 6 days I will be back home in New Jersey. Thinking back over the past four weeks, it is crazy how fast the time has gone, but also how many amazing adventures I’ve gotten to experience in such a short amount...

Coming Home from Spain

Leaving Spain was weird for me. I missed my family. I missed my bed. And I really missed my kitchen (the food in Spain just wasn’t my favorite). But at the same time, I truly loved Spain. The culture was incredible. Every day was an adventure. And I made so many great...

Time Flies

I can only think of one word to describe my time in Spain so far: wow. I’ve been to so many cities, visited so many cathedrals, done so many things, and learned so much about the language and culture; and it’s only been three weeks! So here’s a quick summary of my...

Hasta Luego, USA!

Before I dive in I think I should explain the game plan- because it is a complicated one. I decided to use my study abroad opportunity in Spain as an excuse to tag on a bit of additional backpacking and sightseeing. My official program will take place in a town...

Day in Smederevo

Thursday, May 11th, 2017, Today marks Day 4 of the Serbia Fellowship Experience. Early this morning, after breakfast and coffee, we prepared to head to the nearby city of Smederevo for the day. I imagined it as a small, historic town outside of Belgrade, but Smederevo...

Back State Side

Now that I am back in the states, I can truly reflect on the brief, yet impactful trip that was the UH Clinical Experience in Nicaragua. My last day in the clinic was Friday June 2, and I was sad to see it come and go. I have learned so much from these patients, not...

Hello from Pamplona

Hello, my name is Wil Carpenter, and I am a junior aerospace engineering student studying abroad in Pamplona, Spain for the month of June. Obtaining a greater level of Spanish fluency was the main reason that I chose to study abroad.  I have taken three years of...

A European Nostalgic Slump

Wow.  I have fallen in love with the city of Dublin, feeling more like a local here than I do in my hometown.  I’m accustomed to the daily life, from the bus system to the food trucks and city trends; it all feels so comfortable, so normal.  But after all, this...