It’s been one whole week since the end of my study abroad experience. Although my trip was only one month, I gained a life-long worth of experiences.
For my first time abroad, I would say this experience was a success. I absolutely loved the history surrounding the city of Oxford. I was in constant awe at the architecture of Edinburgh.
I still cannot believe I had the opportunities to visit the Roman Colosseum and the Vatican while in Rome.
I, along with the friends I made on this trip, continue to talk and have already begun planning when we’ll see each other again this upcoming semester on UA’s campus.
This trip has taught me that, while I am not the biggest fan of traveling, it is something I hope to do again in the future. Although planning, packing, and going through airport security are stressful and exhausting tasks, the foreign exposures are worth it in the end. It is one thing to read or study about foreign places, but there is something magical about actually being there.
I will say, however, that I am grateful to call America my home. While my trip was lots of fun, and I plan to travel internationally again one day, I constantly missed my dear air conditioning. I also now have a much greater appreciation for service workers in the U.S. who constantly carry a pleasant attitude while serving.
On my study abroad trip, I’ve learned that every country and culture has wonderful and unique traits to offer. Because of this, I would advise that my fellow University of Alabama students try to experience as much of them as possible.