Bama Bloggers Abroad
What the world has taught me?
The last four months I spent my time traveling all parts of the world with Semester at Sea from the Fjords of Norway, the schools in Ghana, and the buddhist temples of Myanmar. For starters I...
Before I leave
Ever since Alabama introduced me to the idea when I toured, I have wanted to study abroad. Sophomore spring is the perfect time, because I have made some great friends, but my classes aren’t so hard...
And Away We Go…
Today is the day. The day we've all been waiting for. Okay, just me. Today is the day that I fly to London to begin my study abroad adventure. I will be (hopefully) falling asleep as I fly over the...
Goodbye 2017!
It's been unbelievably fun here in Japan ever since I arrived in September. At first it was a little difficult to adjust to everything, and I'm still sad that fruit is so expensive to buy... But...
Before I Go: My Promise on the Wishing Steps of Ireland
If you wander far enough through the garden full of blushing blooms, mossy rocks, and murmuring brooks on the grounds of Blarney Castle in Ireland, you’ll find a set of magical stone stairs tucked...
Story Behind the Picture: The Rosenberger Trunk Company
The next photo in our "Story Behind the Picture" series comes from Dan Shelton, who won first place in our Photo Contest's UA Spirit category for his photo, "The Rosenberger Trunk Company,"...
A Weekend in Costa Rica
While studying abroad in Costa Rica, I have found that there is no such thing as a typical weekend. Although most are filled with travel, the activities are as diverse as hiking a mountain, beach...
When You Want to Leave, But Also Want to Stay
What do you do when you want to be two places at once? That was the feeling I struggled with the last few weeks of my study abroad experience, when my desire to be home and my desire to stay in...
Autumn Foliage Viewing
As the season has changed from summer to fall, there are a lot more tourists in Kyoto. According to my Japanese teacher, they come to visit many of the temples and shrines that Kyoto has to offer....
Story Behind the Picture: Camel Trek
We recently held our annual Education Abroad Photo Contest. The winner in the Landscape category was Hannah Brawley for her photo, "Camel Trek," taken in the Sahara Desert of Morocco while...
The City of Spires
Oxford truly is the city of spires. I cannot fully describe the beauty of the gardens, castles, and cathedrals of Oxford and the surrounding areas, all unique and different in their own way. This...
India and the Caste System
Upon landing in India, the first thing I noticed were the people. On average, their complexion is darker than the average American. They dress differently, the women in long saris, which are like...
Once upon an arrival
I was so excited to get off the plane once I finally arrived in Prague. Everything felt so surreal. However, once I reached baggage claim, I realized that my bag was nowhere to be found and that it...
Ready To Go Back
Now that I am back in the United States I want nothing more than to go back to Europe. I cannot even put in to words how this trip was by far the best experience I have ever had. I miss the food and...
Summer Down Under
While it is summer in The States, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. That being said, Australia is COLD! The weather has not stopped the fun, and...
Excited, Tired, Thrilled, and Confused: A Memoir of Homesickness and Adventure
After having spent two, almost three, weeks here in Oxford I have a number of things to reflect on from my adventures. First, I would like to talk to you about my classes. They are so exciting and...
The Return
Coming home, returning, was so sweet. As I stepped off the plane after nearly 12 hours of traveling I ran into the arms of my dad, who I hadn’t seen in over four months. I was excited to breathe the...
Back in the Land of the Free (wifi- and water)
Imagine the relief you feel when you think your phone is in one pocket, realize it’s “missing”, and then find it in your other pocket. Now multiply that times 500. THAT was the feeling I felt upon...
Studying at DTU
Studying abroad in Copenhagen has been a blast so far! And although the unit operations lab course I am taking here is fairly difficult and very fast paced, I have still been able to explore...
While Abroad in England
When I first arrived to Oxford, exhausted from traveling and full of anticipation, the city was alot different than I had imagined! I was expecting it to be a lot smaller and less populated. It was...
Home Again
Now that I am home, I feel both happy and sad. I have loved getting to see my family and friends after so long and share my pictures and experiences with them. I missed little things like sleeping...
Loving Everything About Berlin!
Hi again! When I first arrived in my host country, my first impression was that it looked fairly similar to America and other European cities that I had been to. Obviously, all of the signs...
While Abroad in Berlin, Prague, and Budapest
So far my study abroad in Berlin has been an amazing experience and has given me so much more than I could have ever anticipated. From my previous post, I imagine I sounded like a nervous wreck...
Looking Back on Time Abroad
Looking back on the past month I spent in Copenhagen, Denmark, I am overcome with happiness and excitement. While I am very glad to be back in the States, my studies abroad are going to be a time I...
Home Sweet Home!
Back in the States...! I've been home for about 2 weeks now and I hate to say it, but I for sure missed the U.S. more than I thought I would. It feels good to be home! I have mostly...
Before Traveling Abroad
I traveled abroad to Florence, Italy this summer to learn more about the Italian language and culture. This was only the second time I had been out of the country and, as such, I had assumed it...
Fast Fertig 🙁
Naturally, I arrived in Berlin via the airport—the famous Tegel airport. I was expecting to find an airport that met the stereotypes of Germany: clean, efficient, and modern-to-the-point of...
Diving In
This summer I have visited 3 countries, and several different cities within Italy. Prior to this summer, I had never been out of the continental United States, it has been a bit different than the...
East and West
Despite being home in the United States, my mind often wanders back to the rolling hills of plum orchards and small bustling cities of Serbia. The sweeping cathedrals, delicious food, and friendly...
What Nobody Told Me About Studying Abroad
Studying abroad was one of the most amazing opportunities that I've ever had, but I've been thinking a lot since I returned home from my study abroad experience about the things I wish I had known...
The First Month
After the first week of coming to Japan, everything became a whir of trying to orientate myself here. There was a lot of paperwork we had to do for both the university and for Japan, not to mention...
What to expect when you go abroad:
This summer was the first time I had ever ventured out of the country, and it was the time of my life. Everyone knows things will be a little different in a different country, but its one of those...
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...
Oxford Thoughts — Upon Return to UA
Most of Oxford’s old city wall has been absorbed into New College, and outside of it runs a street that’s named Longwall. Names and titles throughout the rest of the city are just as uncreative....
Interesting Hindu Traditions in India
India is home to many religions, Hinduism is the largest percentage, around 80%, followed by Islam ( only 14% of the population, but with almost 200,000,000 adherents, it is the country with the...
Being back in the United States
Being abroad has changed me, and it was for the better. I loved every minute of it, even though some parts were hard. I have been back in the United States for about a month now. Sometimes I still...
Getting to Kyoto from Miami
It's a little difficult to explain what it's like to leave the country for a year. At first, you can't be more excited for it, but then the reality starts to sink in. Suddenly, you're looking at...
Discovering Oxford
My experience at the University of Oxford is assuredly the most interesting and engaging adventure of my life thus far. My classes at Worcester College are fascinating and awe-inspiring, and I find...
Reflecting on Time Abroad
I spend today preparing myself for my next semester of school and I am able to reflect on the time I spent abroad. I am able to recall all of the incredible experience I had and all of the great...
Reflection Upon Returning Home
Having spent a few weeks since returning from my study abroad program, I have definitely had time to reflect upon my experiences. During my six weeks in Roatan, Honduras, I learned so much in...
Coming Home
I still can't believe it's over. It almost doesn't feel real that I'm home, like I'm in a dream I'm about to wake up from. I already miss being in Germany and I've only been home for a few days....
Separation Anxiety
Wow! What a summer in Italy! It was an incredibly life-changing experience that I would encourage anyone and everyone to do. It helped bring out my independence, flexibility, and adaptability,...
Arrival Home
As my trip to Ireland winded to an end, I got very sad to travel home. My summer in Ireland was one of the best experiences that I could have asked for. I was able to make so many new friends,...
Bye Berlin, Back in the States!
Although I was very disappointed to be leaving Berlin, a city I had grown to be familiar with and love, I was also very excited to go home and see my friends again and return to Tuscaloosa, a place...
Host City (Nis)
We have returned to Belgrade this week after spending a full week in Nis with our hosts. Nis is a mid-sized city in the southeast of the country. During my stay, I lived...
Tschuss, Europa!
My journey home was, to say the least, arduous. A long and tiring time-zone-hopping, people-dodging endeavor. I left my Amsterdam hostel (I travelled around Europe a bit after my study abroad...
Abroad in Germany – Upon Return
My time abroad in Germany has recently come to an end. While abroad, I have made many new friends and learned a lot about German language and culture. My last week, which was spent in Munich...
Exhausted Expedition (STEM Path Abroad in India)
The reverse culture shock was real. After spending over twenty-four hours in the air and only twelve hours having gone by on my watch, I was finally walking back onto American soil. The smells,...
Back to the US
After a month in Cuba I wasn't ready to leave... I had made some amazing friends and learned so much. However, I had to return to the US. I was excited to go home because I had missed my friends and...
I’m home… Now what?
It's going to sound pathetic, but my first thought upon returning home was being able to switch back to my regular cellular plan. I wouldn't be charged for international roaming, and wouldn't need...