Bama Bloggers Abroad
Seven Nights In Phuket: UA in Thailand 2/3
Our study abroad group in front of James Bond Island in the Phang Nga Bay Hey, it’s me again. If you didn’t catch my last entry, I’m Connor Higgins (far right in the photo above), and I’m writing...
Fourteen Nights in Bangkok: UA in Thailand 1/3
Our study abroad group (seated) with Dr. Paan Jindapon (back row, second from left) and our hosts for "Thailand 101" at Bangkok University. Hello! My name is Connor Higgins. I'm seated on the far...
Five Nights In Chiang Mai: UA In Thailand 3/3
Our study abroad group at a coffee farm in northern Chiang Mai Hello again! I’m Connor Higgins (second from left above), and this is my last entry on UA in Thailand: International Economics. If you...
Reflecting on My Journey
It was finally time for me to depart Europe. I made my final journey to the airport, dragging my suitcases behind me on the cobblestone walkways. Next thing I knew, I was in the air on my way back...
Meeting My Long Lost Family in Ireland
My Goodbye to London, England
Today was my final day at the London School of Economics, and truthfully, it was a sad one! My three weeks in London went by far too quick, and while I saw everything (and everyone) I had hoped to,...
Portugal’s Hidden Piece of Paradise
One of the neatest experiences I had in Portugal was when I signed up for an all-day excursion to the Peneda-Geres National Park. Since I wasn't staying in downtown Porto I caught an Uber to the...
An Unexpected Adventure
An Unexpected Adventure I have just arrived back in the states after a 3-week study abroad trip in Porto, Portugal and there is just so much to unpack (however, not physically, because my luggage is...
Surprise Outcomes after Greece
When you're about to study abroad or cross any sort of ocean, there's an implication from others that you come back changed. After all, you're visiting parts of the world with different histories,...
Reflection
I have just returned from my summer travels in Croatia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia, and I am returning to school in Tuscaloosa in a week and a half. Traveling in Asia has even further...
Resuming Life at Home
Now that I've been home for a few weeks, I've experienced a return to normalcy in my life. I'm over my period of sadness and wistfulness, and can properly reflect on my time there without my...
Guatemala in Review
Culture Shock
To Boldly Go Where No Student Has Gone Before!
Adios, Madrid!
It has been two months since I have returned from Madrid. I had the most amazing time. I made so many new friends and I learned so many new things. One thing that really stood out to me was how...
Back in the USA
When I was preparing to go abroad a few months ago, I read a lot about how coming back to your home country can cause a flood of emotions, and they were certainly right. My journey home started with...
reminiscing
When I think about my time in Italy, I think about the warm Mediterranean sun and the sweet friends I shared gelato with. Thinking about it feels like a dream and I almost can’t believe it was me...
In Transit
London, June, 2023 Every weekday morning at 8:30 AM I'd join a couple flat mates on a walk to the tube station. We'd board our train at 8:36 and patiently ride thirty minutes to university. People...
See Food
While some people travel for exciting new cities and stunning views, I always prefer the food. Not to say that the cities I visited weren't exciting and the views weren't stunning, but, in my...
A Macro View of Croatia
When I first saw an email with the subject line, "Principles of Macroeconomics in Croatia," I was perplexed. "Of all the subjects in all the places, why would it possibly be advantageous to...
Layovers and Lattes: The Start of My European Adventure
Even though I am a fairly anxious person, I prefer to do my packing last minute. I feel like the adrenaline rush provided by the idea that I might miss my flight really helps to expedite the...
My Biggest Takeaways from the Best 3 weeks!
I have improved by leaps and bounds in my problem-solving abilities and cultural curiosity. Though I'd like to describe myself as flexible and having a “go with the flow” type personality, sometimes...
Journey to LEGOLAND
Going to LegoLand has been a lifelong dream of mine as a self-proclaimed Master Builder. My sister and I always built forts made out of Legos in our backroom, just big enough for my dad to trip over...
A Reflection From One Week Since My Return to the USA
It's been a little more than one week since I returned from my month-long study abroad trip in Northern Italy. When I arrived home, I was thankful to see my family, and I was thankful to have many...
Proud to be an American
I have travelled before, but I have never felt the same way about leaving home as I did on my study abroad trip. My study abroad trip was by far the longest I have ever spent away from home. It was...
“Living” Abroad
I’ve been on vacation in foreign countries before, but I have never actually “lived” in a foreign country for an extended period of time. Upon arriving in Porto, Portugal, we headed to our apartment...
Expectations and Advice for Study Abroad Students
One of the biggest concerns I had in studying abroad was the food. I have always been a picky eater, and I was worried that I was going to be miserable and hungry all the time because the food would...
Porto, Portugal
I did not expect to love Porto, or Portugal, as much as I did, but I absolutely loved the food, culture, and people. When we first arrived, our dormitory arrangements were not in the central part of...
My Experience at EIA – Week Three
Me and my amazing team Palácio da Bolsa, where we gave our final presentations The start of the awards ceremony A New Member, and One Final Push to the End As I referenced in my last post, we lost...
My Experience at EIA – Week Two
(Top Left) A view of Lisbon Cathedral and Saint Vincent, the patron Saint of Lisbon (Top Middle) One of the many alleyways that flow through Lisbon (Top Right) A small view of Lisbon's skyline, near...
My Experience at EIA – Week One
The European Innovation Academy Before I begin to share my experience here in Porto, I think it's important to establish what the "European Innovation Academy" is all about. For those unaware, the...
A Week of Service Learning in Ghana
Recently I spent one week in Sunyani, Ghana doing service learning as a part of UA in Ghana. Being a French major, my service learning placement was shadowing a French teacher at a local Montessori...
Cape Coast, Ghana: A Beautiful Place with a Dark History
We’ve been in Ghana for two weeks now, and we’re coming to the end of our trip. Our last stop before we head back to the Capital city of Accra and head home is Cape Coast, Ghana, a beautiful coastal...
Monkeys, Waterfalls, and Monasteries: One Short Day in Ghana
While the UA in Ghana: Service Learning trip comes with some work, it comes with fun too! A few days ago, we took a day trip to some pretty amazing sites around the country, starting with the...
Portugal!!
While finishing up my study abroad to Portugal, I compiled a list of my takeaways from the trip to share now. Going on a trip that is involved in a non-UA program like classes at another university...
After Argentina: A Reflection
Morgan Mittlestadt | B.S. in Chemistry Candidate | McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars
Trekking over Misty Mountains in Bergen Norway
The first 100 meters of a hike is always the easiest. You're full of pent-up energy and the initial steps feel like freedom. The honeymoon phase quickly ends though, especially if you are hiking up...
My Month in Belgium
Before leaving my trip I wasn't sure what to expect. I was excited of course, but was a bit worried about the packing, travel, culture shock, etc.. It was my first time being across the Atlantic,...
Ice, Ice Baby: a Quick Stop in the Land of the Vikings
After our rigorous, month long study abroad program in Copenhagen, my lab partner, Gabi, and I decided that we needed some rest and relaxation. Thus, it seemed like fate when the cheapest flights...
Cruising in Copenhagen
In Copenhagen, Denmark, there are over 675,000 bicycles throughout the city. It is more common here to ride a bike than it is to have a car, as well as it is common to take public transportation...
The Aftermath
Overall I couldn't have asked for a better trip. The whole point of this trip for me was to explore something unique, which was definitely achieved. I saw and experienced things I would never...
Impressions During the Trip
When I first touched down in the Costa Rica airport I was filled with such emotion. This was my first time leaving the United States and I was nervous and excited at the same time. I was scared...
Before Arriving in Costa Rica
I knew I wanted to study abroad ever since my senior year of high school. My family and I have always loved traveling cross country and seeing the cool things that each different city or state...
Amman Excursions- The Three Coolest Sites I’ve Visited So Far
Since arriving in Jordan in Mid-May, I’ve had the opportunity to see a lot of incredible places both within Amman, where I’m living, and in other parts of Jordan. One of the first sites that I was...
Mid-Semester Update in Dublin, Ireland
Hi, so this makes my second blog for my time abroad in Spring 2021, however this is the first time the site and my login info has...
Seek Discomfort! It’s the best thing you can do!
Before I went abroad to London, I made a promise to myself that I would seek discomfort from here on out. This did not just pertain to taking risks but also to making new friends and creating...
The Famous Highgate Cemetery
Highgate Cemetery is one of the most historical cemeteries in the world. It is full of famous people from literature, philosophy, etc. It even includes the grave of Karl Marx. Overflowing with...
Dominican Reflections
I am writing this post after taking time to contemplate my experience in the Dominican Republic. While my time in the Dominican Republic was really challenging, I did meet some great people this...
Returning Home from Valencia
I’m not ashamed to admit that I teared up a little bit in the Birmingham airport when I heard the familiar sounds of sweet, southern accents - in English! I loved my time abroad, and the way Spanish...
Back Home From Scotland
I have been home for a little over a week now from my study abroad trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. I have been pretty lazy since returning because I did not spend even one day relaxing in Scotland. I...