by Brandon S. | Oct 14, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
This study abroad experience has been incredible, and it is just getting started! I arrived one week ago, and within thirty minutes of my arrival at the hotel/hostel, we went to an intermediate school and learned about the education system of New Zealand. We then...
by Emily A. | Oct 14, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Semester, UA-Affiliate
It is mid-May in Melbourne. Footy is in full swing, the leaves are changing, and I am preparing for finals! While I have, and will continue to, enjoy exploring Melbourne, one of my favorite parts of studying abroad have been trips around Oceania. This area’s natural...
by Addison S. | Oct 14, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
”How do you feed the stars?” This was a question posed to us this morning. How DO you feed the stars? I didn’t even realize the stars were something that needed to be fed. I guess that’s what comes from cultural differences, especially in comparison to one with such...
by Dawson M. | Oct 14, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
After 36 hours, 3 plane flights, and 8,300 miles of travel, I finally got to my hotel in Auckland, New Zealand. Although I have been out of the country before, this is by far the longest trip and the first time I have been to a different continent. At first, it...
by Lily C. | Oct 14, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Honors College, _
I recently began my study abroad in New Zealand through UA’s honors program. I was originally intrigued by this program because New Zealand has always been a country that has piqued my interest, and I thought study abroad was the perfect opportunity to visit this...
by Georgia M. | Oct 14, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Commerce & Business, _
Hi, my name is Georgia, and I have been blessed with the opportunity to study abroad with The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. My fellow classmates and I are traveling to Cairns, Australia; Sydney, Australia; and Auckland New Zealand. I...
by Madisyn Harris | Oct 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Settling Into the Perth Lifestyle Life in Perth has been full of surprises, and I’ve quickly realized how different daily routines feel here compared to back home. One of the quirkiest things is how early everything closes—shopping malls shut down around 5 pm because...
by Mary M. | Oct 8, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Exchange, Semester, _
I am studying abroad in Sydney, Australia this semester, and the homesickness has been especially hard this time around. The time zone difference is immense, and that’s one thing that never gets easier. As Australia is so far from the rest of the world, it’s normal to...
by Blake W. | Oct 6, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Commerce & Business, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Before I left for Australia in July, I made a joke that it would probably be the farthest point away I could get from my hometown in New York. Turns out, Melbourne, which is just a two hour flight from my study abroad location of the Gold Coast, is the farthest point...
by Madisyn Harris | Oct 6, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Studying abroad has always been something I wanted to do, but I never thought my first trip outside the US would take me all the way to the other side of the world in Perth, Australia. This is my first time leaving the country, so the chance to explore somewhere...
by Dawson M. | Sep 26, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Engineering, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
The past three weeks have been packed full of incredible adventures, but the time has absolutely flown by. It all feels like a blur of hikes, cities, restaurants, presentations, and traveling. However, I truly do feel like to made the most of every moment and it was...
by Addison S. | Sep 19, 2025 | Australia/New Zealand, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
“I’m naming this first leg of our trip ‘Escape from LA,’” joked my study abroad professor as we fumbled our way through the labyrinth of the LAX airport, trying to find the international terminal. I felt that, on the whole, no phrase better sums up the past 40 hours...
by Nicole J. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
I entered this summer with one goal in mind: to see parts of the world I have never seen before and have fun while doing it. Both New Zealand and Italy were absolute whirlwinds, I can confidently say that I do not regret either study abroad experience. The two were...
by Emily A. | Jul 17, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Semester, UA-Affiliate
When many Americans (including myself) imagine Australia, we tend to conjure up images of kangaroos, the Outback, and most prominently, beach culture. The movies and television we encounter in the U.S. heavily feature Bondi Beach and Byron Bay, places where sun-soaked...
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 Olivia S. | Dec 12, 2024 | Australia/New Zealand, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer
The first thing I noticed after leaving the airport in Australia was that they drive on the left side of the road, and the drivers are on the right side of the car. Very bizarre from an American. I was exhausted when I first arrived, so I took a long nap, ate, and...
by Olivia S. | Dec 12, 2024 | Australia/New Zealand, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer
I was a little relieved to be home. 3.5 weeks of non-stop travel and flights and bus rides and activities is a lot, even though it was all so fun and interesting. I was excited to see my parents, although I’ve gone longer without seeing them. I miss the people I...
by Annabelle B. | Nov 27, 2024 | Australia/New Zealand, Europe, Exchange, Honors College, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Studying abroad with CIEE’s Open Campus Program has truly been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I can’t recommend it enough. What I love most about the program is the freedom it gives you to create your own adventure, from choosing where to study...
