by Kate B | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Education, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
The latter two photos were taken on my trip to Washington State. The first photo is from my first day in Dublin, wearing my new raincoat! Since I’m majoring in Secondary Education Social Science, studying abroad becomes harder for me to fit with my coursework as I...
by Bayli Drobil | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
When I initially committed to studying abroad back in early spring, I was hesitant about the fact that none of the friends I had already made at UA would be joining me in Oxford. During my orientation, there were groups of people who already knew each other going into...
by Bayli Drobil | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
As somebody who just returned from studying abroad in Oxford for the month of July, I thought it would be helpful to share what I believe are essential things to pack in your suitcase. Before leaving for my trip, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I...
by Rebecca M. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
These are some Japanese Stab Binding books that I got to make in my Book Arts Class While I am studying at Oxford, I am taking two classes. The first is a fantasy creative writing course with Dr. Kidd. Within the class, we read short stories, discuss elements of Lewis...
by Rebecca M. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
As someone who has had a peanut allergy my entire life, I have become very used to navigating eating in the states. I know how to properly read the ingredient labels, how to order in restaurants, and what ingredients to expect in common US foods. However, when going...
by Rebecca M. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
Paddington London Underground Station While I was studying abroad in Oxford, I did not ride in a car for the entire month. Instead, I had the opportunity to use every other common form of transportation. I used planes, trains, buses, and even boats. Before going...
by Bayli Drobil | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Closer Look at Christ Church Meadow Gorgeous View of Magdalen College One of the first things I had to adjust to when I arrived in Oxford was the time difference. Coming from Alabama, I was six hours behind the United Kingdom, which did not feel like a major...
by Alex D. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
Being back in the wonderful state of Iowa again after being abroad in Guatemala for three weeks is certainly jarring. The other day I went to Culver’s and began ordering in Spanish before realizing my mistake. Having been to a country far different from our own...
by Kate B | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Education, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
When people talk about going abroad, culture shock is a topic that often comes up. Two days after arriving in Ireland, I should have been deep in culture shock, but instead I experienced something stranger: uncanny familiarity. We were hiking the Spinc, which roughly...
by Elena K. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Human Environmental Sciences, Summer
The British Medical Association I am amazed by how much I have learned and experienced during my study abroad program thus far! When I first arrived in London, I felt that it was very similar to the major US cities I have visited, especially those in the Northeast....
by Ava Noelle R. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Honors College, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Hello sailors! If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either interested in going abroad or you already plan to. Well, I’m here with a few financial tips to help you along on your journey, wherever your destination may be. Personally, I have set my eyes on the lovely...
by Kate B | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Education, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Kylemore Abbey! This is the main castle; beyond the picture to the right is the gothic church, and to its left are the gardens and a Benedictine convent. See the beautiful fog rolling in over the hillside? The valley was magnificent! I also saw many swans in the lake...
by Elena K. | Aug 20, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Human Environmental Sciences, Summer
The view of London from The Shard Reflecting on my study abroad experience in London, I truly could not have predicted the immense impact this trip would have on me or the incredible quantity of rich experiences I would have the opportunity to participate in each day....
by Rebekah J. | Aug 4, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Non-traditional, Summer
I have been looking forward to my trip to Belize since October of last year, but no amount of time could have prepared me for just how much I’d fall in love with the country, its people, and especially its diverse wildlife. Our first stop of two was quite rustic...
by Jackson H. | Jul 31, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Honors College, Semester, UA Non-Affiliate
Since my last post, I have been frantically trying to milk everything that I can out of my final weeks in Europe, and today I return home. After my resolution to be intentional about being as receptive as possible to the places and people that have hosted my time on...
by Olivia Cooper | Jul 14, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
Before I start sharing my stories of these past few days, I want to explain why I chose to study abroad and the UK in particular. My name is Olivia, and I am an upcoming Junior, studying Public Health at the University of Alabama. I have always been interested in the...
by Zachary M. | Jul 9, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America
UA in Peru students pose outside of the Sacsayhuaman fortress in Cusco, Peru Imagine this scenario: You are a visitor in a city you have never been to, in a new country and continent thousands of miles away from home. As you emerge from a cozy alleyway lined with the...
by Tyler D. | Jul 8, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
Returning home from Belize has been an eye-opening experience. Immediately missed were the warm sunshine, constant sea breeze, and most of all the friends I made there. As I went on a fishing trip with my family, I even missed the Belizean heat that I had grown...
by Ella B. | Jul 6, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Outside of the tours built into the program, my classmates and I spend many hours wandering around the city and exploring on our own. Before the trip, I spent a lot of time researching Rome and watching TikToks for ideas about what to do, where to eat, and which...
by Jackson H. | Jun 30, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Semester, _
Today I arrived at my study abroad host institution, the Harlaxton College Manor. This place has been on the periphery of my life for years. My older sister studied here, and hearing about the magic of walking around the manor gardens, studying in the state rooms, or...
