by Makiya H. | Oct 6, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Returning home from Cotonou, Benin after a transformative four-week study abroad experience has been both comforting and surprisingly disorienting. While I was excited to reunite with family, sleep in my own bed, and return to the familiar rhythm of life at home, I...
by Edyn M. | Oct 6, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
If I could give one piece of advice to future study abroad students, it would be to embrace change and step outside your comfort zone. New places, new people, and new routines can feel overwhelming at first, but those moments of uncertainty are where the most growth...
by Madysen R. | Oct 6, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Sunset in Kakum National Park As I prepared to study abroad, I had so many thoughts and expectations. Going to Ghana was not something I ever anticipated being a part of my academic and personal journey, but it ended up being one of the best and most valuable...
by Blake W. | Oct 6, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Commerce & Business, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Before I left for Australia in July, I made a joke that it would probably be the farthest point away I could get from my hometown in New York. Turns out, Melbourne, which is just a two hour flight from my study abroad location of the Gold Coast, is the farthest point...
by Tyler L. | Oct 6, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
My name is Tyler LeValley and I am a junior at Alabama majoring in marketing and minoring in international business. This semester I am studying abroad at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. I have been living in Budapest for three weeks and have already had...
by Madisyn Harris | Oct 6, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Studying abroad has always been something I wanted to do, but I never thought my first trip outside the US would take me all the way to the other side of the world in Perth, Australia. This is my first time leaving the country, so the chance to explore somewhere...
by Joshua R. | Sep 26, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Studying abroad in Spain was one of the most enriching experiences of my college journey, and I’m grateful for every moment spent exploring the historic streets of Madrid and the vibrant coast of Barcelona. But looking back, there are definitely a few pieces of advice...
by Mason S. | Sep 26, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Now that I’m back home, my mind is filled with a mix of emotions. The moment I stepped off the plane and into the airport, everything felt so familiar, yet different. I was excited to reunite with my family and friends, but I also found myself missing Belize. I miss...
by Dawson M. | Sep 26, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Engineering, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
The past three weeks have been packed full of incredible adventures, but the time has absolutely flown by. It all feels like a blur of hikes, cities, restaurants, presentations, and traveling. However, I truly do feel like to made the most of every moment and it was...
by Joshua R. | Sep 19, 2025 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Getting ready to go abroad to Spain has been a mix of excitement, nerves, and a whole lot of list-making. It still doesn’t feel totally real, but with my flight coming up soon, I’m starting to feel the excitement and nerves of what’s ahead, in a good way. Physically,...
by Addison S. | Sep 19, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
“I’m naming this first leg of our trip ‘Escape from LA,’” joked my study abroad professor as we fumbled our way through the labyrinth of the LAX airport, trying to find the international terminal. I felt that, on the whole, no phrase better sums up the past 40 hours...
by Aruzhan S. | Sep 19, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Only 20 days left before the end of my study abroad program, and it’s bittersweet. It’s hard to accept that I’ll soon be leaving a place that has truly become a second home. While I’m excited to return home, it’s also incredibly sad to say goodbye to this chapter of...
by Ryan P. | Sep 19, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Somehow, it is now already May, now I have to get ready to go home somehow. I have studied abroad these past two semesters, one in Rome and one in Paris. It has flown by like it was nothing, I 1000% do not want to go home. I have met so many different types of people...
by Ryan P. | Sep 17, 2025 | Asia, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
For spring break, I went on an astronomy and computer science-based study trip with my school, AUP, to Tokyo, Japan. This trip was filled with it all, we got to explore Tokyo and went to 3 other cities: Kyoto, Himeji, and Sayo. Sayo is a super tiny town that even...
by Ryan Taylor | Sep 17, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
Today, our Manderson Graduate College GELI cohort had an incredible day in Panama City, diving into impactful community service, engaging with global business leaders, and exploring innovation in logistics. Each experience deepened our understanding of global business...
by Ryan Taylor | Sep 17, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
Good morning from Panama City! Today was all about one of the modern wonders of the world—the iconic Panama Canal—and what an unforgettable day it was! Journey to the CanalAfter a hearty breakfast, our UA crew set off toward the Miraflores Locks, the most visited...
by Anna H. | Sep 17, 2025 | Asia, Semester, _
Truthfully, I haven’t been dealing with a lot of culture shock. It turns out that researching and studying a country for three years will prepare you for the cultural differences and challenges you have to face. Who knew? But there are some things that even...
by Victoria E. | Sep 16, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
Experiencing the world and discovering something new offers opportunities that aren’t available to everyone, making my feelings about traveling abroad even more appreciative and exciting. For most of our lives, we exist within a norm, whether it pertains to culture or...
by Ryan Taylor | Sep 16, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
Our first full day in Panama was nothing short of amazing! As part of the Manderson Graduate College of Business and the Global Experiential Learning Initiative (GELI), we dove headfirst into the country’s rich culture and traditions. The adventure began on the...
by Ryan Taylor | Sep 16, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
As the countdown to my departure for Panama begins, I find myself reflecting on what led me to this incredible opportunity and what I hope to gain from it. The Manderson Global Experiential Learning Initiative (GELI) presents a unique chance to expand my cultural...
