Italian Adventure: Departure

So, today is the day that I depart to Italy.  There are so many emotions and thoughts racing through my head, I can barely describe how I feel.  I guess excited is the biggest one.  I am nervous, anxious, and scared, but I am also happy, curious, and excited that I am...

5 Reasons to Study Abroad

Now before I get to talking about studying abroad, I thought it might be important for you to know about me so that you can see from where I’m coming. My name is Lucas Palonen and I’m a junior at the University of Alabama. I am studying Accounting with a...

Playing the Packing Game

  Though my program does not begin until January 20th, I am leaving a few days early to make a couple of pit-stops. First I am traveling to see my sister in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and then flying to see a friend for a few days in London before arriving in Spain....

My new home: Florence

I’ve successfully been in Florence for 2 weeks and although there’s been a few bumps in the road overall it’s been a fantastic time. I’ve already learned some tricks to the city and I’ve been forced to learn some things as well. I am so...

Temporary Italian

I’ve been in Europe for just one week now and I still seem to think I am on vacation instead of actually getting to live here for four months! My first stop was England where I wanted to speak to every person just to hear their amazing accents! Then I moved on to...

Headed to Havana!

As my day of departure draws nearer, I can’t get my mind off of the Caribbean. I have been looking forward to this trip ever since I heard about the UA in Cuba program a few years ago. It’s surreal that a trip I’ve been planning for so long is about to become a...

First week in Dublin!

After a sleepless flight from the states, I finally arrived in Dublin on Tuesday! Since then there’s been a lot of adjustment and settling in to the new city and surroundings. I am studying at University College Dublin (UCD) this semester as a senior in Civil...

The Week before Dublin

Nervousness. Excitement. Restless. Stressed. There are a tornado of emotions that could be used to describe the week before departure. I am constantly fluctuating from one to the other trying never quite finding a balance. There is so much to do: packing, goodbyes,...

Goodbye Prague

The semester has come to an end and now I have to say goodbye to the most amazing people and most beautiful city in the world. This semester has been filled with excitement, adventure, and beautiful sites. My choice of Prague to study abroad was the best decision I...

Journey in Japan

” こんいちは、バマ!Hello Bama! How do I begin to describe the span of my incredible adventure in Japan? I’ve seen so many things, gone so many places, and learned more than I ever thought possible. I hope I can adequately convey the way Japan has captured me...