by Madisyn Harris | Oct 8, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Coming back for my second arrival honestly felt so different from the first time—in a really good way. The first time I got here, everything felt kind of chaotic and new, and I was just trying to figure things out. This time, it felt way more familiar, like I actually...
by Tyler D. | Sep 28, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
When I found out about the study abroad trip to Belize — and that my scholarship would help pay for it — I got pretty excited. For many years I have been interested in exploring different ecosystems and learning about the role each organism plays, taking...
by Alyssa B. | Sep 28, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
As my trip to Belize gets closer, it’s starting to feel more real with every passing day. The decision to study abroad came from a simple but powerful desire: I want to see more of the world. I’ve always been curious about life beyond the United States,...
by Jackson H. | Sep 23, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Honors College, Semester, UA Non-Affiliate
The semester is just past half finished, and Britain is in full bloom. Since my arrival in Grantham, I have seen many moons, and one of the brightest of them all so far has been the UK itself. Five days after landing in Heathrow, I ventured out for the first time on...
by Madisyn Harris | Sep 15, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
KODAK Digital Still Camera As exciting as it is to travel while you’re already studying abroad, there’s a side of it that people don’t really talk about. It’s not hard, but it does take a little more awareness and preparation than just booking a flight and going. When...
by Brianna Hobson | Sep 15, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
From the moment I set foot in the London Heathrow Airport, I was in awe. Exhausted and stiff from an overnight flight and surrounded by a flurry of people aside, I was ecstatic to be somewhere I had always dreamed of going. Aside from what the UA orientation told us...
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...
