Bama Bloggers Abroad
From Ausland to Alabama
Coming back home was bittersweet. Though I was only in Germany for a month, it felt like I lived a small lifetime in that short span. It is crazy to remember how I almost did not go on this trip...
Afraid to Travel Alone? Read This
As a young woman, I was nervous to travel around Europe by myself. But as I've pushed my boundaries and stopped waiting for other people to join me before traveling somewhere, I've found out how...
Embarking on an Unforgettable Experience Across the Pond
I began this post just as I began this journey, unable to put into words how I felt. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), that remained the case for longer than I would have liked. As I spent my...
大事な記憶 ~ Important Memories
It’s been a while since I’ve returned to the United States, if the post date is any indication. A new semester is just beginning, and it’s hard not to reflect on what I’ve experienced in my time...
Looking Back on a Lifetime of Memories
As I close out my time in Europe and head home, I look back on everything that I have done this past semester. I came out these past few months a different person than I went in, and I believe it...
Relearning How to Learn in New Zealand
Starting a new semester is always exciting. A study abroad semester is even more so, and I was thrilled when I first read the syllabi for my classes (called papers in New Zealand). There was no...
In the Thick of It: How to Stay Afloat
As I moved into the middle of my time abroad, my philosophy began to wear on me. The constant trips, the need to get so much done, telling myself "I might never be back here," as a means of pushing...
The Culture Shocks No One Talks About
Generally speaking, I love to research before traveling somewhere new. I want to be fully prepared for unfamiliar customs, as well as find recommendations for food or activities. Before going to New...
Farewell SAI Barcelona, You Will Be Missed
I've officially been back in the US for one month. I wish I had more time there, but I'm glad I'm home at the same time. One thing I will say for anyone going abroad - eat as much as you want...
The Finale
My final blog post is being written as I am waiting to board my flight back home. It’s been 73 days since I last was in the US, and saying many goodbyes this week was more difficult than I had...
While Abroad
The Locals: Experiencing Spanish Culture Through Its People One of the most exciting aspects of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet and engage with locals, gaining a deeper understanding of...
Arriving in Germany: First Impressions
From the beginning of my study abroad trip to Germany for German Language and Culture, things were not going how I expected. Prior to this trip, I had never left the US, so I was determined to make...
Exploration and Immersion: Experiencing Germany
Two weeks into my month abroad in Freiburg, Germany, I have seen so much of the city and have improved my German language skills. I have German class Monday through Friday afternoons, and I have had...
Scotland Overall: Preparing and Performing
Preparing to study abroad in Scotland was a lot less glamorous than people imagine. Before I could even think about castles or festivals, I had to deal with the basics, mostly money. I applied to...
Adventure in Lit New Zealand 2025
Wow, what a trip. I have so much to reflect on I don’t even know where to start. Even though I joined late, I feel like I have been on this trip for the whole time. As we wrap up on the last day or...
New Zealand 2025!!!
This is my first column for my trip to New Zealand! Hopefully, I will be able to capture some of my travels for the first section of the trip thoroughly. While the trip started on May 5, I arrived...
Kayaks, Clear Water, and My First Exam in Dubrovnik – Amazing!
Wow—what a way to kick off my study abroad adventure! I spent my first week in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and I honestly feel like I stepped into a movie set. Between the stunning views, the salty sea air,...
The Importance of Traveling While Abroad
While you are studying abroad, I believe it is equally important to travel and explore away from school while pursuing an education abroad. Living in a new country allows you to visit new, exciting...
Reflections on Service-Learning in Krabi
สวัสดีค่ะ from Thailand! My name is Emma. I am a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track, and this semester, I have been studying in Salaya, a small town outside of Bangkok. This...
Conquering The “Study” in Study Abroad
Cafe Regatta: A popular study spot for students in Helsinki, Finland -- also one of my favorites. Engineering students face a unique set of challenges when studying abroad. While other students...
Reflections From My Enlightening Scottish Expirence
Back from Scotland! I am back from Scotland! While I loved every moment of my time abroad, I was also excited to return home and share everything I learned. The second I landed in the Atlanta...
Fringe, Friends, & Fun
"WOW, I can't belive we're actually here!!!" Are my first thoughts as soon as the plan touches down in Edinburgh. But little did I know that there would be many more "wow" moments to come. First...
Preparing for Edinburgh
I chose to study abroad because I’ve always wanted to travel outside of the United States. I have always found it fascinating to see how different people live their everyday lives! This particular...
Two Trips, One Heart Full of Yes
Despite studying in Seville, Spain, I made the most of my time in Europe by traveling to Paris, France, and Faro, Portugal, and experiencing two different cultures. I would advise anyone studying...
From Alabama to Edinburgh!
When I first arrived in Edinburgh, I was immediately taken by the cool air and all the historic, older buildings. What I did not anticipate, though, was the number of stairs and hills I would have...
Further Learning Through Airlines, and thinking of Porto
Following a flight cancellation and rescheduling, I have finally returned to Alabama. After passing through security and approaching the gate of my flight, which had been delayed, I received a...
My Unlikely Journey to Study Abroad Through Contemporary Dance
The opportunity to study abroad found me in the most unexpected way, through dance! As a dance major, I heard about auditions for Yonder Contemporary Dance Company, a unique group that tours across...
Getting Familiar with the Streets of Porto
Taking part in the European Innovation Academy program, this summer has led me, alongside thirty other UA students, to Porto, Portugal. What I quickly realized was just how dense the city of Porto...
How Scotland Connected Me to My Royal Family Heritage
Hello from Scotland! I absolutely love it here! I’ve been learning so much and fully immersing myself in Scottish culture. Here’s a little about my study abroad experience so far: First Impressions...
Three Weeks, One Accelerator: Academics at the European Innovation Academy
After three weekends of trains and travel, weekdays in Porto had one focus: the European Innovation Academy. I treated EIA like a full-time class with clear deliverables. The schedule was three...
Beyond the Postcards: Experiencing Real Culture Shock in Egypt
As a student who has traveled around Europe extensively throughout my semester abroad in Hungary, I wanted to travel somewhere with a completely different culture that would really push me outside...
道に迷ったら、方向を選んで、歩き続けて ~ If You Get Lost, Pick a Direction and Keep Walking
At time of writing, it’s just become December here in Hirakata, and in spite of that, it’s not really all that cold. The Kansai region has a pretty comparable climate to Alabama, actually; both of...
Exploring unique villages in Ghana
When we weren’t visiting historical sites, we were able to visit different communities around the country. One village, Nzulezu, sat on stilts over the water. The community was made up of a...
My first days in sunny Elmina
Elmina is a coastal town that once operated as the colonial capital of the Gold Coast before Cape Coast and Accra. Its name comes from the Portuguese for “the mine,” but mostly the economy is based...
Even Bigger AL!!
These photos were taken at Mole National Park in Larabanga, Ghana. From where we were staying in Elmina, it took about 12 hours, broken up into two days, to reach. Before entering the park, we were...
Adjusting Back to Normal Life After the Best Trip
My study abroad trip was single-handedly one of the best experiences of my life. I learned things I never knew about myself, saw things I have always dreamed of, and grew in ways that no classroom...
Studying at DTU: A month in Denmark
This summer I had the opportunity to study abroad at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where I took CHE 323: Unit Operations Laboratory, an important and demanding hands-on experience with...
Three Flights Later…
After three very long flights back to the United States, I am officially home. I was so relieved after traveling all day. We had to leave for the airport at 3 AM Scotland time, and we didn’t get...
Settling into Seoul – How to Triumph over FOMO in a City that Never Sleeps
Two months ago, after countless hours of preparation, I finally stepped out of the gate at Incheon International Airport and said my first hello to Seoul, the city that would be my new home for the...
Scotland in My Eyes: A Journey Through Time, Taste, and Wild Beauty
When I first stepped onto the streets of Edinburgh, I felt like I’d entered another era. The age of the buildings and the cobblestone beneath my feet whispered stories from centuries past. I...
The Sound of Bagpipes
Arriving in Scotland was such an amazing feeling. Since I’ve never flown to another country before, I’m soaking in every second of being here. On the first day, we walked all along the famous Royal...
Reflecting During Final Day in Porto
As my time in Porto has ended, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the connections I have made. The people and places have all left a unique impression on me that I know I will take it...
Good Eats in Ghana
Before going to Ghana, I knew I had to try jollof rice because there is so much hype surrounding it, and I just had to see what the hype was about. Anywhere we went to eat, there was jollof rice on...
A Day at Edinburgh Castle
Haylee Elizabeth Pack Today was all about stepping back in time. Some friends and I made our way up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, its stone walls towering above the city like something out of...
Adios Barcelona!- Advice for Students Interested in Studying Abroad
It has been almost 2 weeks since my study abroad program in Barcelona ended, so I have had plenty of time to reflect on my experience and think about any last thoughts I want to share. I was very...
If You’re Going to Italy, Read This First
There are bound to be some culture shocks when traveling to a foreign country. One of the biggest shocks for me in Italy was having to pay a cover charge per person when eating out at a restaurant....
Final Thoughts – Tips & Takeaways from My Study Abroad Experience
Now that I’ve wrapped up my study abroad program in Germany and the Czech Republic, I’ve had a chance to reflect on what made the experience meaningful—and what I’d do differently next time. If...
One month later: Still missing Thessaloniki
It’s been a little over a month since I got back from my study abroad trip in Thessaloniki, Greece, and I miss it more than I can explain! I’m so grateful for the lifelong friends I made, both the...
Touching the roof of Indochina
In Vietnam there is a very special place one can visit and in doing so take part in Guinness record holding cable cart rides. The place is Mount Fransipan and it is the tallest peak in all of...
Three Weeks, Eight Towns: A Practical Guide of Portugal
Three weeks in Portugal go by quickly, so I’ve treated every free day as a mini-project. My rules are simple: spend less than 30 euros on transport, stay under three hours from Porto, and find one...