by Morgan J. | Aug 24, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Engineering, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, _
Stepping back onto American soil after my time in South America, I realized almost immediately that I returned as a changed person. More than anything, the travel bug has officially bitten me. Prior to this trip, the world outside the United States felt abstract, but...
by Ashley H. | Jul 28, 2026 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer
Hello! My name is Ashley Heuer, and I’m preparing for my International Business study abroad trip to South America! As both a business major and Spanish minor, I was SO excited about this opportunity, because it combines two of my passions. It has been on my bucket...
by Zachary M. | Jul 9, 2026 | Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America
UA in Peru students pose outside of the Sacsayhuaman fortress in Cusco, Peru Imagine this scenario: You are a visitor in a city you have never been to, in a new country and continent thousands of miles away from home. As you emerge from a cozy alleyway lined with the...
by Kayln C. | Feb 2, 2026 | Education, Internship, Semester, South America, UA-Affiliate
Nothing can quite capture the feeling of stepping off a plane in a foreign country and realizing this unfamiliar place is about to be your home. To be honest with you, I did almost zero research before landing in Brazil, let alone São Paulo, because deciding to study...
by Victoria E. | Oct 10, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, No Photo, South America, _
Rushed with excitement, stepping foot of the plane was unreal first because it was a new country and second I couldn’t believe I was actually studying abroad. Being greeted by the bright sun and amazing host brought a smile to my face and the rest of the group....
by Connor L. | Oct 8, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, _
My first impression after arriving in Panama is just how cool it is to be in a new place. I was nervous and anxious about our weeklong trip, but once we got there and settled in I started to appreciate the opportunity to study abroad. Once we arrived, Delta informed...
by Liz R. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Human Environmental Sciences, South America, Summer, _
When I first signed up for 6 weeks of school in Barranquilla, I thought I knew and was prepared for everything. Well- I was delightfully wrong! When I first signed up for six weeks of school in Barranquilla, I thought I was completely prepared. I am a Spanish as well...
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 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 Sebastian C. | Jun 24, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, _
Wow, what an incredible time it’s been. I can’t believe it’s already over. On my first day, I stepped into the apartment and saw the view outside and immediately said to myself, “I’m going to miss this place.” I hadn’t even...
by Sebastian C. | Jun 24, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, _
As my six-week experience in Colombia comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on what an amazing journey it’s been. During these final days, I’m doing everything I can to soak it all in and appreciate the little things I know I’ll miss once I’m back home. From the...
by Sebastian C. | Jun 24, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, _
Coming to Colombia, I was very excited because it has a culture I’ve always admired, and I would have six weeks to explore and enjoy. When I heard about the opportunity to study abroad, IN Colombia, I knew I just had to go. I have a double major in Spanish and...
by Kaleigh M. | Jun 23, 2025 | Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, UA-Affiliate
A bottle of water is 3,000? A cab ride is 20,000? Here is a break down how Colombian pesos work in normal, student-friendly terms and ways to exchange your money. Colombia uses the Colombian peso (COP). And let me just tell you: the numbers are BIG. You’ll see...
by Kaleigh M. | Jun 23, 2025 | Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, UA-Affiliate
I’m currently studying abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia. I packed my suitcase, my book bag, and a tote bag like I was preparing for every scenario possible. I already wrote an article about things I’m glad I brought with me, but here are some things I actually ended...
by Kaleigh M. | Jun 23, 2025 | Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, UA-Affiliate, _
I am currently studying abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia. I packed my suitcase, book bag, and tote. As someone who both over and under packed, I will tell you what I wished I would have brought abroad. My walk through Cartagena, Colombia 1. ...
by Kyndra L. | Dec 12, 2024 | Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer
I can confidently say that I had (and still have) a great first impression of Colombia. Everyone was warning me about how hot Colombia is during the summer, but as a native of Mobile, Alabama, heat is nothing new to me. The humidity was a little stronger than...
by Kyndra L. | Dec 12, 2024 | Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer
Now that I’m back home, I have such a great perspective for the rest of my summer and the rest of my college experience. I have learned so much over the past few weeks, both academically and socially. I struggled with a lot of homesickness during my trip, but in...
by Layne R. | Dec 6, 2024 | Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer, _
Arriving at the Sint Maarten Sapphire Beach Resort was an experience nothing short of excitement and a thrill for adventure. Stepping off the shuttle and into the resort, I was introduced by the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff greeted us with genuine smiles as I...
by Zaira Beck | Jul 16, 2024 | Faculty-Led, Nursing, South America, Summer, _
Throughout my entire time in Colombia, I’ve eaten so many new and amazing foods! I never would have thought of some of these foods, as some are so creative- but others go back hundreds of years to times of indigenous communities. I’ve loved being able to try...
