by Katie S. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
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 science in another country , but it also would give me a better...
by Olivia B. | Jul 8, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
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 dropping our bags at our house, we went to dinner, and I was surprised...
by Gabriel S. | Jun 27, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Summer, _
This picture was taken on top of Diamond Hill in Co. Galway, Ireland. It was the last of the major hikes we did while in the Emerald Isle and absolutely breathtaking. It was cloudy and misty the entire hike up, making the surrounding landscape look like it had been...
by Anna H. | Jun 27, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Summer, _
The first month is the most fun I ever had in my life. The second is when I began to hate the country I’m in. The third is when I realized I left my support system behind. And the fourth is when everything I was preached during pre-departure got put to the test....
by Claire A. | Jun 27, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport…which is where I’ll be in less than 24 hours! I came across the UA in Oxford program last fall and knew it was the perfect opportunity for me. As an...
by Lillian J. | Jun 27, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Hello everyone! Last time I posted, I showed some photos from Freiburg where our group has been studying and talked about what all we’ve been getting into. This post will be about two excursions some of us took during our program, to the French city of Strasbourg and...
by Jacklyn D. | Jun 24, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I have experienced many culture shocks just from attending UA—one of the biggest being game days. At least for that, I had a relative idea of what going to an SEC school would be like, but the culture shock of living in a different country was further from anything I...
by Jacklyn D. | Jun 24, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, _
If there is one thing that anyone knows about traveling, it’s that there is a likely chance you may get jetlag going from point A to point B. While this may not have been the biggest worry I had in preparation for my trip, it was definitely something to note. The time...
by Anna L. | Jun 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
As I reflect back on my trip, I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I can’t help but think of what a privilege it was to have the opportunity to experience the things I did while abroad in New Zealand. It was interesting and eye-opening to interact with a...
by Anna L. | Jun 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Semester
Here I am about halfway through my trip in Christchurch, New Zealand! The trip so far has been an absolute whirlwind in the best way. Our days have been absolutely jam-packed and I am exhausted each night when going to bed. While there absolutely have been some...
by Anna L. | Jun 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
To be honest, studying abroad was never really on my mind or on my bucket list of things to do during my college years. However, once my scholarship package offered a stipend to use specifically for studying abroad, I thought I should at least consider it. Still, I...
by Taj J. | Jun 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
Now that I’ve spent a few weeks settling into life in Seville, I decided to take a closer look at an ordinary Monday to see what still surprises me and what’s starting to feel more familiar. Mondays here carry a rhythm that I’m beginning to understand: the quiet,...
by Amelia W. | Jun 23, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Hi, I’m Amelia from New Orleans, I am preparing for my study abroad adventure in Benin, Africa. As a student in the foreign languages and literature program, I’ve always been drawn to francophone cultures. Growing up surrounded by several francophone communities made...
by Saphia H. | Jun 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I landed at the airport around noon in Paris, France and took a bus to Tours, France to meet my host family after landing. I was tired and super nervous to meet them. Meeting them eased some of my worries a bit, and the country is so beautiful. I cant wait to go see...
by Saphia H. | Jun 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, _
After spending a month in Tours, France, I have had numerous interesting experiences. The culture shock has worn off, and I have adjusted to life here. Classes were intensive, and my French has improved a lot since I’ve been here. The Language and Culture Study...
by Olivia B. | Jun 23, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
When I signed up for UA in Benin I was very nervous, knowing little about Benin and throwing myself into this adventure alone. I had never been away from home for such a long time, and had never traveled somewhere so unfamiliar. However, I was still very excited! I...
by Alyssa W. | Dec 20, 2024 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
“Americans are so talkative and friendly—people here don’t just chat with everyone they meet”. This was a comment I got on the train to London at 4 a.m., after spending the past hour talking to someone from the area about everything from economics to music. It was a...
by Alyssa W. | Dec 18, 2024 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Everywhere has a signature food: New York pizza, Wisconsin cheese curds, Kentucky fried chicken. When traveling, we imagine taking advantage of the famous restaurants, and schedule time to sample Chicago deep dish from Giordanos or sourdough bread from a San Fransisco...
by Alyssa W. | Dec 18, 2024 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I am a chronic overpacker. There’s no getting around it. I always find myself leaving home with a bag bursting at the seams, hoping desperately I don’t have to open it and somehow manage to achieve the miracle of zipping it shut a second time. Unfortunately, this is a...
by Emma D. | Dec 18, 2024 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
If you have been on the Internet for any length of time, you have no doubt experienced a sharp divide between European and American users. One can often find the two groups arguing about food, stereotypes, tourism, and most often and most divisively; politics. No...
