by Salvatore A | Jul 21, 2018 | Engineering, Europe, Summer, _
I was very excited to get to Denmark after 2 weeks of backpacking. Thankfully, I arrived with two friends who were also in the same program, and met up with a few more that first night. After arriving in Copenhagen, I couldn’t help but smile and appreciate how...
by Caroline S | Jul 17, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
So there we were, high in the beautifully scenic mountains of Spain, huddled in a pack, trying to nominate the unlucky member of our group who would walk up to the nearest Spanish local and ask him to take a picture of us. Out of our group of seven girls, one brave...
by Marissa S | Jul 16, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Program Type, Summer
Hi my name is Marissa, and I chose to study abroad because I discovered this great opportunity through a close friend. It seemed a bit risky at first because of the expense of Study Abroad programs, but PACT helped cover a large portion of costs, and then I was lucky...
by Garrett B | Jul 16, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
There is a popular saying among parents: “If your friend jumps off a bridge, would you jump, too?” My parents found out very early on that I was always the friend that jumped first. In the small, blue-collar community outside of New Orleans where I grew up in, there...
by James M | Jul 15, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I went into my study abroad ready to take everything as a learning moment. I triple checked my flight information, the syllabus, the course schedule, and then checked again. Everything will work out. A three-hour flight delay, an impromptu trip to London, and a few...
by Nicholas B | Jul 14, 2018 | Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
My first few steps in Berlin were shaky due to the exhaustion that accompanies trans-atlantic flight. After a good night’s sleep, our group went to experience a service at the Berliner Dom. Almost completely destroyed by the Allies in WWII, this church has been...
by Madeline R | Jul 13, 2018 | Commerce & Business, Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
“Oh my goodness are you so excited???” *on the inside* “Not at all I am completely terrified” *on the outside* “Yes, so excited! It is going to be such an amazing experience.” The days leading up to my trip have been especially hard for me as I have only been around...
by Olivia E | Jul 13, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
It is the last week of June, which sadly means my time in Madrid is coming to an end. As the date of my return flight gets closer and closer the more I realize I don’t want to get on the plane. Madrid has finally begun to feel like home away from home and I have...
by Samantha C | Jul 12, 2018 | Europe, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
I’m suffering from some serious Italy withdrawals. I am so bored now that I am home. I must admit my view here cannot compete with my view from my apartment in Florence. I just miss the smells of fresh food and the water from the river. I also miss the pizza (I...
by Megan E | Jul 12, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
So, I have been back in sweet home Alabama for a few weeks now, and honestly it does not feel so sweet. Living in Italy for a month was such an amazing experience; it was really eye opening to see how other people live their lives. I lived in the heart of Florence...
by Anuska N | Jul 12, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
After a beautiful month in Italy, I am finally back home in the grand ole USA! And it is good to be back to the comforts of home: air conditioning, having my car, and cheap fast food. I didn’t expect to experience any sort of reverse culture shock since I’ve been to...
by Heather G | Jul 11, 2018 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer, _
It was a long journey home, but I have safely returned to Alabama! After landing and going through dreadful customs at the airport, I was so excited to be able to run into the arms of my mom and dad. I even enjoyed a nice Chick-Fil-A meal on the way home :). While I...
by Tabranecia Patterson | Jul 11, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Duration, Europe, Faculty-Led, Home, Summer, Uncategorized
See ya later Florence, Italy! My time in Florence has ended, and I am now back in the States. While over in Florence, I was asked a plentiful number of times “do I miss my country?” or “am I going to miss Italy?”. After thinking about the two the answer is yes to...
by Heather G | Jul 10, 2018 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer
In a few days, I will board a 12-hour flight headed to Athens, Greece. I would have never imagined that I would be able to be a part of such an amazing opportunity. I have always desired to be able to use my nursing skills to serve others and through this trip, I will...
by Caroline S | Jul 10, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
During a free day in our program, a friend and I decided to take a day trip to a site our teacher had recommended– crystal clear natural, spring-fed pools nestled in the Spanish mountains. The destination sounded spectacular and the trip there was free with our...
by Heather G | Jul 9, 2018 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Nursing, Summer, _
My first few days in Athens, Greece have been truly amazing. Maybe it is from the pure exhaustion of jet-lag (an eight hour time difference) or maybe it is the excitement of exploring a new country. The first two days consisted of sight-seeing. Our team began the trip...
by Virginia R | Jul 9, 2018 | Australia/New Zealand, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Travel and exploring the unknown is possibly one of the most exciting things in life. I have always had a passion for traveling and exploring new cultures. So, when I saw the option to study abroad I was ecstatic! Now I could not only see new places and things but...
by Victoria D | Jul 8, 2018 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
It was hard for me to describe my study abroad experience to anyone who asked when I returned home. I would show them the pictures and tell them about the course I took, but nothing really captures how amazing it really was. People that have traveled to Greece...
by Madison K | Jul 8, 2018 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Annnnnnd, we’re back. In America. The home of the brave and land of the free and what not. And let me tell you, it actually is kind of nice to be back. My first night home I all but guzzled a cup of cheese dip at my favorite local Mexican restaurant. Later that week I...
by Madison K | Jul 8, 2018 | Comm & Info Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Culture shock. Before I left for study abroad and once I arrived at my new temporary home, it seemed to be all people could discuss. I patiently sat through at least five different lectures or online seminars with a graphic of the same culture shock curve presented...
