Bama Bloggers Abroad
From One Overpacker to Another
Let's just say, I do not have the best track record when it comes to packing lightly. I have always been that one person in my family that has to be prepared for every minor problem that may arise....
Pre-departure chaos
I currently sit short of breath in my seat due to forgetting my phone charger of all things and sprinting to get one 5 minutes before boarding. I’ve known I’ve wanted to study abroad for years but...
From Dreams to Reality: Preparing for My Study Abroad Adventure/ Tips for booking flights
Hello! I'm Aruzhan, (Ari) and today was a milestone in my study-abroad journey to book a flight to Europe! It was like going on a roller coaster of emotions: excitement, anticipation, and a bit of...
My Experience with European Cuisine
Being in Ireland has given me appreciation for many things I take for granted in the U.S. Although, I loved my time in Europe, the lack of air conditioning at night was killing me. The biggest thing...
Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made Of–Oxford, England
Shakespeare is woven into the tapestry of life in Oxford, England. From the Radcliffe Camera library of the Bodleian (which is designed in the style of Shakespeare’s Globe’s) to the stained glass...
UA Macroeconomics in Croatia & Italy: Italy!
After our travels in Croatia, we moved to Venice. Venice was an interesting part of the trip, as it was both beautiful and also extremely touristy. Everything was packed, and there were vendors...
The End of Study Abroad: Overall Thoughts, Feelings, and Tips.
As my spring semester study abroad comes to an end, it is time to reflect on my overall experience and how this experience has shaped my life in ways I never thought it would. Having the opportunity...
Pre-Departure Prep & Perception
I am so pumped!!!...but also nervous. How crazy is it that I get to go and create memories that will last a lifetime while also learning and doing something that I love???? I think the nerves come...
Exploring Popular Sites in Barcelona
My time in Spain is passing so quickly, and I'm already entering week 3 of my four-week abroad program. This past week, I didn’t travel outside of Barcelona like I did last weekend. Instead, I...
New Types of Campus Squirrels: Adjusting to the First Weeks Abroad
Before studying abroad, you are told to expect culture shock. It is an inevitable part of traveling. As I settled into my first two weeks in Colombia, I found that adapting to a new culture has two...
How Climbing Over 700 Steps Made Me Feel Refreshed
As I write this, I am finishing my last day of classes in Colombia. It is a very strange feeling. I am sad, yet relieved to return to the United States. Study abroad consists of a lot: classes,...
I Decided to Do My First Hike in Norway
If you had asked me last year if I would like to go hiking on a fjord in Norway, I would look...
While abroad in Greece!
As of writing this, I am halfway through my time in Greece. We have traveled to many different cities and seen a lot of other things! When I first arrived in Thessaloniki (after experiencing many...
Tips for Studying Abroad
My time overseas has come to an end, but the lessons I have learned and the memories I have made will stick with me for a lifetime. Here are some of my tips to make your trip as enjoyable as...
Six Important Tips to Prepare for Study Abroad in Colombia
When I was preparing for my 6 weeks in Colombia, I struggled to find traveler tips. Of the few tips I could find, most were very tourist-y for short trips. Now that I have returned, I feel it is my...
Dear Future Study Abroad Student: Read This First! -Amelia Wiley
Now that I’m done with my experience studying abroad in Benin, I have learned a lot, but not only in terms of academics; it also has been a very personal journey for me. In retrospect, there are...
My First Week in Barcelona!
I can’t believe I have been living in Spain for over a week now! I arrived in Barcelona on a Thursday, and I spent the weekend sightseeing, settling in, and getting to know my roommates. Over the...
Speaking in Tongues: Navigating Language Barriers Abroad
One of the main languages spoken in Benin, Africa is Fon and another commonly spoken language here is french. I personally am fluent in french and hearing Fon has confused me since some words sound...
Feeling Extra Happy When the Locals Speak to me Only in Spanish
Hi! I am currently studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. I am taking 2 Spanish classes to go towards my minor. This is my first time being away from the United States and it has been a great experience....
The Trip Of A Lifetime!
Now that I’m back home, it’s surreal to think that just a week ago I was walking the cobblestone streets of Florence with 17 other students from Alabama, strangers who turned into my lifelong...
Florence, home away from home!
As I write this blog post I currently have the warm summer sun illuminating my funky italian room, my host mom is preparing our amazing and fresh dinner, and our 20 year old cat is snuggled up next...
Before The Arrival!
Before I left for Florence I had no clue what to expect. Between the excitement of experiencing the unknown cultural normalities and the vast range of Italian food, I was already ecstatic! I was...
Eating My Way Through Florence
The food in Florence is a huge part of what makes Florence so unique, so for my first blog, I thought I would explain my ideal day of eating in Florence, plus some honorable mentions! To start...
Less is more
I just finished my first summer term studying fashion and sustainability in Florence, and it was absolutely incredible. What I thought was just a class, has translated to every part of the way I...
Preparing to come home
As my four-week study abroad experience in Benin, Africa comes to an end, I’m filled with mixed emotions like gratitude, nostalgia, and a little bit of sadness. The first week was a whirlwind of...
UA in Benin Week One Recap
I have been in Benin, Africa, for one week, and I have already learned a great deal. We have started to explore African culture, religion, and economic development by visiting Ganvié, the "Venice of...
Baguettes, Brioche, and Beyond: My French Food Diary
While the French are famously known for their bread, many of their other food customs remain far less familiar... When I was in France, I lived with a host family who only spoke French. My host...
Château Dreams: Exploring the Magic of the Loire Valley
KODAK Digital Still Camera - Olivia Declercq While studying abroad and taking classes in France has been AMAZING, one of my favorite aspects of studying in Tours, France has been the easy access to...
Packing, Plans & Paris: My Study Abroad Kickoff!
France-Bound: My First International Adventure! Tomorrow is the day! For the very first time, I'll be leaving the United States, and the anticipation is absolutely electric. I'm embarking on a...
The Friends We Meet
Happiness is pleasure plus memories plus people Arthur Brooks Wow, I cannot believe it is over. Less than a week ago, I was in Ireland, trekking across the mountains, fields, towns, farms, and...
This Present Wonder
Well, there it is. That suitcase will hold everything I need for the next 20 days. To be honest, I still don’t think it’s sunk in yet, and I don’t know if it will until I actually step off the...
Back home from Madrid: Thoughts, Feelings, and how worth it study abroad is!
Now that I am back and settled in my home again, I can finally take a moment to go through all my thoughts and experiences about my trip to Spain. At the most basic level, I am (mostly) proud to say...
Thoughts and Feelings before my Summer in Spain!
Hm. I never thought I’d be sitting next to my mom buying a plane ticket with a minimum travel time of 14 hours. First time for everything I suppose. Speaking of firsts—this will be my first time...
Helpful tips for adventuring around Madrid, Spain!
There is so much that I didn’t realize about the culture and everyday life of Spain (especially Madrid) that I would have loved knowing ahead of time, so I compiled a list of things that I would’ve...
Still on Italy and Croatia Time! Keep Riding that High!
Now that it has been a couple of weeks since my travels abroad, I have had the proper time to reflect and do my final blog post. As I have readjusted to life back in Louisiana, I can't help but...
Great Time in Croatia! Let’s Check Out Italy!
At about the halfway point in my study abroad, there are a multitude of feelings beginning to overwhelm me. The fears I ad about meeting new people and being too shy to branch out were transformed...
Time to Take a Step Back. Enjoy the Ride!!
As I prepare to embark in my first UA study abroad, I am a little bit overwhelmed with emotions. On the one hand, I am ecstatic to engage in such a community based opportunity where I will have the...
Sint Maarten Week 3: Real Life Views and Digital Clues
We are over halfway done with our time in Sint Maarten. Although it's bittersweet, this week was the perfect mix of marketing strategy and island experiences. We got to learn more about Sprinklr,...
Sint Maarten: Signed, Sealed, and Sunkissed
Our final week in Sint Maarten has come to an end. I am so grateful for the lessons I've learned, the friendships I've made, and the memories that I'll have for a lifetime. We closed out our final...
Counting Down to Takeoff: My Pre-Departure Thoughts
In just a few short days I'll be taking off for the caribbean! It's hard to believe that the time has already come, since I've been planning this trip since last fall! I am looking forward to...
Discovering the Natural Beauty of Oxford, England
Leading up to my study abroad opportunity in Oxford, I spent a month working as an EMT and shadowing at the ER in my hometown. I enjoyed the experience immensely, and I learned a great deal from it....
Weekend Wanders
by Cameran S.| April 23, 2025|Europe | Human Environmental Sciences| Semester | UA Non-Affiliate Our First Adventure Abroad – Budapest Edition My first weekend trip while studying abroad in Europe...
Home Sweet Home, Girona 97
by Cameran S.| April 23, 2025|Europe | Human Environmental Sciences| Semester | UA Non-Affiliate Spending the weekend in Barcelona gave us the perfect opportunity to explore and appreciate the...
Final 3 Favorites from Madrid
My program officially ended on June 28th and I miss it already. Living there for a month has taught me so much, especially after taking classes completely in Spanish. With the time I had, I was able...
Andreea’s Time in Tours, France
As I landed in Charles de Gaulle, the strongest emotion I felt was tiredness. I had not slept at all on the plane; moreover, I was hauling around a broken suitcase and carry-on luggage. I was...
Au Revoir, France
Celebrating the Fourth of July after coming home! As I adjust to life in the United States and reminisce about my time in France, I find comfort in a familiar environment, yet I miss many aspects of...
Why I Chose to Study Abroad
Studying abroad was something I had always hoped to do during college, but the UA MIS in Europe program made the decision easy. As a senior in the MIS program, the opportunity to visit companies and...
Day 1 of Guatemala: Pre-Departure
Motivation/Reasoning: I applied for this program, after Professor Chris Hale came by one of my classes to talk about the upcoming trip. Not only was it a good opportunity to learn about political...
Preparation for Study Abroad
With only 4 days left until I depart for my study abroad trip in Greece, I wanted to share with you all some words and helpful information for anyone planning a trip soon. I always knew I wanted to...
Getting to Know Benin, One Day at a Time
When I arrived in Cotonou on June 1, I was immediately overwhelmed by the airport. Although the airport was small, it was incredibly busy and only had one customs line and baggage claim area. After...