by Hannah T. | Jul 22, 2025 | Engineering, Europe, Summer, _
When I was preparing to study abroad, the most intimidating thing for me was the idea of culture shock. I feared that culture shock would stop me from enjoying my visit to Copenhagen to the fullest. However, I was so very wrong! Of course, the first few days felt...
by Hannah T. | Jul 22, 2025 | Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Hi readers! My name is Hannah and I am studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark at Technical University of Denmark (DTU). I’m packing up my safety glasses and lab coat to begin a critical course in the chemical engineering curriculum–Unit Operations lab....
by Faith G. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
I have been having a lot of fun in my summer study abroad program in France. I knew I would be okay once I got over the hurdle of starting the trip. There will never be a time in my life that nerves will never overwhelm me when trying new things. Leaving home was hard...
by Caitlin S. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
7/21: Home for a Week Coming back home felt familiar at first—English signs, the foods I know, the usual routines I had missed. But after a little while, I started noticing subtle things that felt unexpectedly different and new. For example, I found myself getting...
by Caitlin S. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
6/15: Half-Way Done Taking classes abroad has been a refreshing shift from what I’m used to at the University of Alabama. Everything feels more casual in the best way—professors go by their first names, which felt strange at first but quickly became natural. The...
by Kevin H. | Jul 17, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Being in Ireland has given me appreciation for many things I take for granted in the U.S. Although, I loved my time in Europe, the lack of air conditioning at night was killing me. The biggest thing I missed from America, however, was the food. Don’t get me wrong,...
by Jack R. | Jul 17, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
Shakespeare is woven into the tapestry of life in Oxford, England. From the Radcliffe Camera library of the Bodleian (which is designed in the style of Shakespeare’s Globe’s) to the stained glass scenes from Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies in Worcester College,...
by Kelby O. | Jul 16, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
After our travels in Croatia, we moved to Venice. Venice was an interesting part of the trip, as it was both beautiful and also extremely touristy. Everything was packed, and there were vendors everywhere selling and soliciting tourists. However, we saw some beautiful...
by Alexandria R. | Jul 16, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
I am so pumped!!!…but also nervous. How crazy is it that I get to go and create memories that will last a lifetime while also learning and doing something that I love???? I think the nerves come from hoping that I’m not forgetting something, or hoping that...
by Susannah C. | Jul 16, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
My time in Spain is passing so quickly, and I’m already entering week 3 of my four-week abroad program. This past week, I didn’t travel outside of Barcelona like I did last weekend. Instead, I focused on being a “tourist” and visiting several popular...
by Katie M. | Jul 16, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer
Before studying abroad, you are told to expect culture shock. It is an inevitable part of traveling. As I settled into my first two weeks in Colombia, I found that adapting to a new culture has two faces: disorientation and wonderment. First, disorientation. The...
by Katie M. | Jul 16, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, _
As I write this, I am finishing my last day of classes in Colombia. It is a very strange feeling. I am sad, yet relieved to return to the United States. Study abroad consists of a lot: classes, excursions, and adapting to a different culture. While it is fun, it wears...
by Beth K. | Jul 16, 2025 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
If you had asked me last year if I would like to go hiking on a fjord in Norway, I would look at you like you were insane. First of all, I had never hiked before; I...
by Campbell T. | Jul 14, 2025 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
As of writing this, I am halfway through my time in Greece. We have traveled to many different cities and seen a lot of other things! When I first arrived in Thessaloniki (after experiencing many delays in the U.S.), I found it beautiful. I was able to see Mount...
by Kathryn V. | Jul 14, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
My time overseas has come to an end, but the lessons I have learned and the memories I have made will stick with me for a lifetime. Here are some of my tips to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Make friends in your group, but don’t be afraid to do some...
by Katie M. | Jul 14, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer
When I was preparing for my 6 weeks in Colombia, I struggled to find traveler tips. Of the few tips I could find, most were very tourist-y for short trips. Now that I have returned, I feel it is my duty to provide my own list of things I think students need to know...
by Amelia W. | Jul 14, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Now that I’m done with my experience studying abroad in Benin, I have learned a lot, but not only in terms of academics; it also has been a very personal journey for me. In retrospect, there are certainly things I wish I’d known before I flew the coop. So to anyone...
by Susannah C. | Jul 14, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate
I can’t believe I have been living in Spain for over a week now! I arrived in Barcelona on a Thursday, and I spent the weekend sightseeing, settling in, and getting to know my roommates. Over the weekend, my study abroad program, CEA CAPA, hosted a scavenger hunt...
by Amelia W. | Jul 14, 2025 | Africa, Summer, _
One of the main languages spoken in Benin, Africa is Fon and another commonly spoken language here is french. I personally am fluent in french and hearing Fon has confused me since some words sound completely different and some are the exact same. This has lead to me...
by Lucy D. | Jul 10, 2025 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Social Work, Summer, _
Hi! I am currently studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. I am taking 2 Spanish classes to go towards my minor. This is my first time being away from the United States and it has been a great experience. I have really enjoyed being able to immerse myself into the Spanish...