by Jasmine P | Feb 24, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led
What if I miss my flight? What if I lose my passport? What if I pack the wrong things? What if my phone doesn’t work? What if my luggage gets lost? What if I don’t make any friends on my trip? What if I get over there, and I don’t like it? What...
by Megan B | Feb 15, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I can’t believe that I’ll be going to Russia next week. It is so weird not to be at Alabama with all of my friends, but I am very excited about studying abroad. I have always wanted to visit Russia so last summer I began taking Russian classes here at Alabama with the...
by Kaila | Feb 15, 2016 | Australia/New Zealand, Engineering, Semester, UA-Affiliate
As I sat at the airport, a flood of emotion came over me. I was anxious, excited, nervous, and sad all at the same time. Saying goodbye to my friends and especially my parents was nearly impossible. I flew through security, which rarely ever happens, so I had a couple...
by Margaret M | Feb 15, 2016 | Engineering, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
As a Chemical Engineering student, I had resigned myself to the fact that a study abroad for an entire semester was going to be impossible. Sophomore year, when I realized if I completely rearranged my schedule for the next 3 years there was a possibility to make it...
by Jasmine P | Feb 15, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led
Barca! Clap, clap, clap. Barca! Clap, clap, clap. Barca! Clap, clap, clap…And the game is underway. The crowd is roaring, the players are running, and my heart is pounding. The atmosphere is INCREDIBLE. I had never been to a professional futbol game, much less in...
by Christopher D | Feb 15, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led
Barcelona was a major culture shock, even compared to London. The language barrier made communicating next to impossible, but at the same time I fell in love with the city. The culture and history of the city amazed me. I could have stayed there for another year...
by Theresa S | Feb 15, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
How can I describe my time abroad thus far? It seems to me that no words will do the change, the joy, the pain, the shock, the awe of the past three weeks any justice. But I have chosen to be honest with myself about this experience, and therefore, I must be honest...
by Christopher D | Feb 15, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led
London was a wonderful experience. We did not start classes while in London, but I felt as if I learned as much as if I had been in class. I saw an entirely new culture to myself and at first was a little nervous about it. I did not know anyone on the trip before...
by Hunter B | Feb 15, 2016 | Australia/New Zealand, Commerce & Business, Exchange, Semester
“Australia?” (The past two months, I’ve been getting that response a lot.) “What are you going to be doing in Australia?” (I’ve always wanted to make up a fun story about fulfilling my dream of becoming a professional kangaroo rider or something.) After explaining...
by Rachel M | Jan 14, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
In 5 days I will be boarding a plan to go to Stirling, Scotland for four months. As much as I’ve tried to wrap my head around that I doubt that I’ll process the weight of it until I’ve boarded the plane and taken off. Needless to say, I’m...
by Ruth B | Jan 14, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Semester, South America, UA-Affiliate
Program name: ISA in Barranquilla, Colombia University Name: Universidad del Norte I have dreamed about visiting Colombia since my freshman year when I met my first ELI culture and language partner, Carlos. But one never just meets a single Colombian—through Carlos I...
by Vyt P | Jan 14, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Exchange, Semester
What a semester it has been. 5 months, 10 countries, and a bucket full of memories later, I am now back home in Tuscaloosa, AL sitting in my kitchen. At times when I am reminiscing over my semester long adventure in Europe I feel as though it was a dream that I did...
by Allison M | Jan 14, 2016 | North America, Nursing, Semester, UA-Affiliate
When thinking of the Dominican Republic, the first thoughts I have of the country are beautiful beaches in the middle of the Caribbean. I envision it much like the picture I have shared with this post. Unfortunately, when you venture inwards, away from the picturesque...
by John T | Jan 14, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
This past weekend I decided to take a day trip to Normandy to visit Bayeux and the American Cemetery at Omaha beach. I took a train from the Gare Saint Lazare in Paris to Bayeux, which is only 20 minutes from the American Cemetery. The American Cemetery has an...
by Caroline | Jan 7, 2016 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester
No, this is not my first time studying abroad. Last summer I spent a month in Madrid, Spain so I know what it is like to immerse myself into another culture and step out of my comfort zone. However, this time is a little different seeing as I am going to Havana, Cuba....
by Linnet K | Jan 7, 2016 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Exchange, Semester
안녕 – (anyong) – hello/goodbye In less than two months, I will be studying abroad at Yonsei University, one of the top 3 universities in Seoul, South Korea. Honestly, the preparation that came with trying to study abroad was enough to distract me from the actual...
by Laura O | Jan 7, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, North America
After a long, long day of travel, our team finally made it into Port-Au-Prince. However, the journey was just beginning. We gathered our luggage, hopped on a bus, and hoped to make it to our next location more smoothly than our prior travels had been. When we pulled...
by Joshua H | Jan 7, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Upon Return Thoughts/feelings – Now that you’re back home, what are some of the things going through your head? What did you think when you first arrived in the airport? What are some of the things you’re feeling? Do you miss your host country? Host family or friends...
by Courtney M | Jan 7, 2016 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I grew up near the oldest city in America, St. Augustine. There is a vibrant array of Spanish culture in St. Aug, which really pushed my interest in studying abroad to Barcelona, Spain. In addition, I had taken a handful of Spanish classes in Middle and High School,...
by Kaitlyn B | Jan 6, 2016 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, UA-Affiliate
Though I’ve flown many times, my amazement at the beauty of the skies only seems to grow. I used to be worried that people would think I am weird or have never stepped foot on a plane because of how I perk up at takeoff and spend the majority of my flight...
