by Caroline W | Jul 12, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I was surprised with how sad I felt leaving Nicaragua. While the heat sometimes felt unbearable, there was something about the people and the culture there that made it all worth it. When I said goodbye to my host mom, she started crying and thanked us for visiting...
by Carson F | Jul 1, 2016 | Central America, Engineering, Faculty-Led, Summer
Now that I have been back home for a bit my journeys in Nicaragua seem more distant. While there I hiked volcanoes, searched for monkeys, and communicated in another language for two weeks. Here in my normal day to day life I go to work, pay bills, and grab...
by Carson F | Jun 30, 2016 | Central America, Engineering, Faculty-Led, Summer
Actually getting to Nicaragua proved to be much bigger hurdle than anticipated. Despite checking and re-checking flight times and prices, and waking up at approximately 1:00 a.m., I managed to miss my flight from Atlanta to Houston. I won’t go into specific...
by Carson F | Jun 29, 2016 | Central America, Engineering, Faculty-Led, Summer
I decided that I wanted to come to Nicaragua because it was the perfect opportunity to get valuable medical experience, to be immersed in latino culture, and to travel to a beautiful place. I start my junior year in the spring and with a job, and a desire to...
by Zoe G | Jun 29, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
Now that I have made it back home all safe and sound, I am very appreciative of the the air conditioning here but sad that I had to leave such wonderful country. It was so nice to leave my bustling, fast-paced lifestyle in the US and slow down to appreciate the...
by Caroline W | Jun 24, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I have been in Granada, Nicaragua for a couple of days and I love it! At times I might complain about the heat (okay probably more often than I’m willing to admit), but the kindness and compassion of the people makes it worth it. My host mom is a 73 year old woman who...
by Danielle K | Jun 24, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
My first thoughts as I got off the plane in Huston after spending two weeks in Nicaragua were nothing as poignant as I might have expected. As the plane hit the tarmac there was an initial sense of relief about being home in the United States, but this was almost...
by Christopher L | Jun 24, 2016 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer
Coming back from Haiti is always a very tough transition to go back into a developed country after spending a week in a developing one. The lack of basic amenities and conveniences in Haiti makes it tough to come home to a shower that is inside, buildings that are air...
by Zoe G | Jun 24, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
After a week in Granada, it feels like a second home. Aside for the heat and lack of running water in the morning, I could stay here indefinitely. It took a while to get used to the lack of air conditioning but now I have just embraced being hot all the time. I do not...
by Caroline W | Jun 23, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
Granada, Nicaragua looks gorgeous in any pictures I have googled, but I am still unsure what to expect when I get there. I know the buildings are painted in bright colors and air conditioning is nonexistent (cannot wait for 100 degree temperatures), but that is it. I...
by Gabrielle H | Jun 21, 2016 | Central America, Engineering, Faculty-Led, Summer
Now that I’ve been back in the US for almost two weeks, I’d like to reflect on this trip and my overall experience of travelling abroad on a faculty-led program. First, I think that every student should try to attend one study abroad program during their...
by Zoe N | Jun 21, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
The first week of Dr. Steinberg’s summer class “Rainforests, Reefs, and Ruins” was spent in the Toledo District. From there, we traveled to various locations to learn about Belize and participate in conservation activities. On the seventh day, we said goodbye to Punta...
by Christopher L | Jun 21, 2016 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer
The beginning of the trip was exciting as usual! It is so much fun to see all of the members of the community showing up to learn all week! The coolest and most rewarding part of this trip is being able to make real connections with the people that we are teaching. I...
by Abigail Ward | Jun 20, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I cannot believe that I am finally on my way to Honduras. I spent so much time getting ready for this moment and am so excited to finally be headed there. The process getting to this point was full of anticipation, excitement, and fear. I have been wanting to study...
by Gabrielle H | Jun 16, 2016 | Central America, Engineering, Faculty-Led, Summer
Now that I’ve spent a week living in a house in the Belizean jungle and a week on an island resort snorkeling every day, I’ve decided to post my original packing list and compare it to what I should have brought. Here is a picture of everything I packed:...
by Zoe N | Jun 15, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
A few days after my graduation, I arrived at the Atlanta Airport. I departed from Atlanta to Belize for Dr. Steinberg’s summer class called “Rainforests, Reefs, and Ruins.” The three hour plane ride to Belize City was followed by a 6 hour bus ride to southern Belize....
by Zoe G | Jun 14, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
The time between now and Sunday is moving way too slowly. On Sunday, a group of us depart from the US to Granada, Nicaragua. Our departure marks the start of a trip that I have been waiting for all semester! We have done our due diligence by practicing up on our...
by Zoe N | May 30, 2016 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I took Dr. Steinberg’s summer class called “Rainforests, Reefs, and Ruins.” The first week in Belize was filled with activities organized by the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE). On the third day, we traveled to a Mayan Village in San Pedro,...
by Christa M | May 9, 2016 | Central America, Faculty-Led, Social Work, Summer
I am so excited! I am going to Mexico! I would like to thank the Study Abroad office at UA for giving me the scholarship to make this possible! I have never been to another country but have always wanted to go. I’ve always been interested in other languages and...
by Amber U | May 9, 2016 | Central America, Faculty-Led, Social Work, Summer
It all started in March of 2015. It was my first time going through customs, a word I always heard about but never thought I would get to experience. It was my first time on a plane, a vehicle of transportation I never thought I would get to ride in. It was my first...
