by Kate B | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Education, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
When people talk about going abroad, culture shock is a topic that often comes up. Two days after arriving in Ireland, I should have been deep in culture shock, but instead I experienced something stranger: uncanny familiarity. We were hiking the Spinc, which roughly...
by Jenaia P. | Aug 24, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Walking through the airport back in the States was weird. My first thought was pure relief. I was ready for my own bed, ready to see my parents, and ready to stop living out of a suitcase. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being abroad. But after two weeks of constant...
by Elena K. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Human Environmental Sciences, Summer
The British Medical Association I am amazed by how much I have learned and experienced during my study abroad program thus far! When I first arrived in London, I felt that it was very similar to the major US cities I have visited, especially those in the Northeast....
by Lucas C. | Aug 24, 2026 | Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
After some time back in the US, I’d be lying if I said one of the things I miss most from the UK wasn’t the food. Jokes aside, being back in the states has genuinely felt different. While I figured my only trouble would be un-adapting to some things...
by Ava Noelle R. | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Honors College, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Hello sailors! If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either interested in going abroad or you already plan to. Well, I’m here with a few financial tips to help you along on your journey, wherever your destination may be. Personally, I have set my eyes on the lovely...
by Kate B | Aug 24, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Education, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Kylemore Abbey! This is the main castle; beyond the picture to the right is the gothic church, and to its left are the gardens and a Benedictine convent. See the beautiful fog rolling in over the hillside? The valley was magnificent! I also saw many swans in the lake...
by Elena K. | Aug 20, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Human Environmental Sciences, Summer
The view of London from The Shard Reflecting on my study abroad experience in London, I truly could not have predicted the immense impact this trip would have on me or the incredible quantity of rich experiences I would have the opportunity to participate in each day....
by Gracie P. | Aug 11, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
There were many moments where I wanted nothing more than being where I am right now: sitting on a plane headed back to Dr. Pepper, Chick-fil-A, and Target (just to name a few). Now here I am doing exactly that wishing I could have just one more day in Portugal. ...
by Ellyssa A. | Jul 23, 2026 | Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
When you live in a city for four months, it’s easy to feel like you have all the time in the world to explore it. There’s no rush or pressure because it’s right there in front of you. Ironically, that’s exactly why so many people end up not really experiencing...
by Itzel N. | Jul 22, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
When I first arrived in Dubrovnik, Croatia, I was overfilled with nervousness and excitement to meet my classmates that I was going to experience this trip with. It was a long travel day with connecting flights, and I was happy to finally be at my first...
by Olivia Cooper | Jul 14, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
Before I start sharing my stories of these past few days, I want to explain why I chose to study abroad and the UK in particular. My name is Olivia, and I am an upcoming Junior, studying Public Health at the University of Alabama. I have always been interested in the...
by Cassidy G. | Jul 9, 2026 | Africa, Engineering, Europe, Internship, Summer, _
July marks the beginning of my third and final month abroad this summer. Over the past two months, I’ve traveled to France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, and Morocco, with plans to add Italy and Hungary before the month is over. The chance to...
by Ava T. | Jul 8, 2026 | Africa, Asia, Europe, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Have you ever really wanted to do something but found that actually doing it is terrifying? If so, you aren’t alone. Ever since I was a freshman in high school I have wanted to study abroad, specifically through Semester at Sea. In December of 2024, this idea of...
by Ella B. | Jul 6, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Outside of the tours built into the program, my classmates and I spend many hours wandering around the city and exploring on our own. Before the trip, I spent a lot of time researching Rome and watching TikToks for ideas about what to do, where to eat, and which...
by Craig K. | Jun 18, 2026 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer, _
The Cologne Cathedral (pictured above) is home to massive stained glass windows, some of which date back to the 1200’s. This is my third blog on my honors faculty-led study abroad in Germany. If you are interested in hearing about my expectations before-hand and...
by Sofia B. | Jun 9, 2026 | Europe, UA-Affiliate, _
While I’m happy to be back home in the comfort of my own bed, I miss the liveliness and adventures of Portugal. When I first arrived back at the airport in the United States, everything felt familiar, yet different at the same time. I already miss the slower pace of...
by Abbye W. | Feb 2, 2026 | Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
My new friends posing with my lost luggage! Being from the Midwest, traveling to arrive in my study abroad city was a nightmare. With various flight delays, missing connections, and rerouting, issues are bound to arise. For me, the aircraft for my connection from...
by Jones T. | Jan 28, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Exchange, Semester, _
It only took a few weeks of settling in while abroad to decide I was ready to travel outside of my host city. Sitting only an hour train ride away is the small town of Stratford-Upon-Avon. This town, most well known as the birthplace of Shakespeare, bolsters a wide...
by Tyler L. | Jan 23, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
It has been a month since I returned to the US from my semester abroad in Budapest, Hungary and I have been reflecting on how this unique opportunity has changed me. I realize that I’ve now fundamentally changed from the version of myself who departed for Europe five...
by Emmett D. | Jan 23, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Hey all! I am Emmett and I am studying in Barcelona, so far it’s been amazing! I went to Madrid the second weekend and loved it! Choosing to study abroad was something I had thought about for years since my mom studied in Rome for a year, but it became a real...
