Bama Bloggers Abroad
Pre-departure
In less than 24 hours I will be getting on a plane and going to London! Personally, this is a very new and out of comfort experience. I have never been out of the country and I have only been on a...
June 3: A day in the pura vida
Terms for your understanding: Tico/a: someone from Costa Rica, i.e., the country where I’ll be living for the next two months. San José: the capital of the aforementioned country, where I will...
Emerging yourself in international culture. Try new foods, engage in local activities, and remember to “do as the locals do”.
Looking back on my study abroad trip, one thing that I am so thankful that I continuously tried to do while abroad is trying to emerge myself into each of the different cultures that I visited. This...
C’est la vie.
I arrived in Paris a day before the rest of my fellow students, eager and excited to finally start my study abroad journey. Once my fellow students arrived we immediately began our adventure by...
Making the most of your time abroad. Learning to navigate the transportation system, planning day trips, and more!
As a study abroad student, you know that there are many hours of planning and researching to do before leaving home. There are bucket list items that must be checked off, adventures to be taken, and...
Preparing for study abroad and coping with travel anxiety
If the idea of traveling internationally feels intimidating or scary, you are definitely not alone. It can be challenging to organize and execute a travel plan to a location you’ve never been. If...
Close Quarters
Adaptability and Understanding
Pre-Departure/Arrival in South Africa
I decided to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. This decision was a huge one, meaning that I would be 7, 789 miles away from home for the entirety of the summer. This meant that I would be...
From Dust to Dust (With a Trip to Cambodia in Between)
Having left for Cambodia straight from campus without a chance to go home first, it was a relief to finally head home. But at the same time, before I even got on the return flight,...
Fika In Sweden
In Sweden I was introduced to a unique concept called Fika. Fika is a Swedish coffee break that is part of their everyday culture. This is important during school, work and regular everyday life. A...
Belize Blues
Back Home and I Miss my Team
Returning Home
As my semester in Spain comes to an end, I reflect back on everything I have done and experienced over the past few months. Moving from Wisconsin to Alabama for college is one thing, but going to...
Living Like Lara (Croft): The People and Temples of Cambodia
There are some countries which you have an idea of what they look like from media such as movies, but Cambodia is one I had yet to catch a glimpse of - the only popular cameo of the country comes in...
Ciao Italy
Even after attending for a couple of weeks in Italy it still feels weird coming home, kinda like going through another cultural change, but I am glad to be home. Once I stepped off my final plane...
Pre-departure! Feeling a little anxious, nervous, and excited.
Choosing to participate in the University of Alabama's faculty led study abroad program was a huge decision to make. I love to be home with family and always look forward to spending the summers at...
Déjà Vu and Something New
My first thoughts when I arrived were Do I know enough French to make it through this trip? and Wow! I’m really here right now! Similarly, I felt tired (because I didn’t sleep on the plane), excited...
A trip to Africa
Towards the end of my stay abroad, I decided to visit Morocco with my roommates. We waited until the weather cleared up, and it was high 80s the entire weekend! Tangier is a gorgeous city that lies...
Trust and Fika in Swedish Culture
One thing I am grateful for in this study abroad experience is the opportunity to experience concepts that maybe would not be as meaningful or easily applicable to me if we learned about it within...
Studying Abroad: the Stress of Planning and the Opportunity of a Lifetime
When I was around 8 years old, my family took a road trip from Alabama to Yellowstone National Park. Along the way, we stopped at historical monuments, national parks, and amusement parks. It took a...
Return from Cambodia-Adjusting to life in the States
Now that I am back home, I am adjusting back to a slower pace of life. On our trip, our days were packed full of learning about the history of the culture and exploring some of the current business...
Cambodia-Temples, Traffic, and more!
My first impressions of Cambodia began with my 2am arrival in Phnom Penh. The city was asleep, and there were very few people out and about. However, I could already tell this was a bustling city...
May 28: Readers, welcome
I've always flirted with writing a blog. You might think it’s in my blood—my father runs a tech blog that gets 300,000+ hits a month. But it’s not the blood (for a couple reasons). Mainly, I am just...
Preparing for ISA Seville, Spain
I am pretty nervous, but excited to participate in ISA Veritas's Sevilla trip. To help me prepare for this trip and calm my nerves, I've done a lot of research on the area. I've studied the history,...
First week in France!
I have been taking French classes for almost 7 years, and throughout the entirety of my education, the importance of a global mindset has been emphasized. In order to be a better citizen of your own...
“Ah Venice”
Wow at first I still couldn't believe that not only did I travel out of the US for the first time, but I'm in Venice Italy. At first, when I arrived I knew the hard part should be over once I find...
Belize Bound
Predeparture Prep
Au Revoir Paris, Bonjour Tours!
Just a little over a week ago I arrived in France! It’s so hard to believe how fast time has flown. This first week has been the best introduction to France I could have asked for. Before starting...
Tuk Tuk on the Clock – Adventures through Cambodia
The first impression I had of Cambodia was what I encountered immediately upon exiting the airport in Phnom Penh – the heat. It was nearly 2AM, and it was still well over 80 degrees with high...
The Day I Never Lived – Lost to Cambodia
There’s 365 days in a year, but this one might as well have been a leap year for me. Flying westward from the US to Cambodia, a day is lost in the process. This is but one realization of many that...
Post-Cambodia Reflections – Making the Most of Your Time Abroad
Now that I’m back home from my trip to Cambodia, I can’t believe that it actually happened. Even with a packed 11 day itinerary, it never ceases to amaze me how the days can feel so slow and crammed...
Prior To Your Trip – scholarships, YouTube research, packing tips, “when we land” bag, & more!
I chose to study abroad because I grew up in a dual-military household and my parents traveled the world. They told me amazing stories about all the places they have been and all the truly awesome...
Traveling While Abroad
When I started thinking about study abroad, I knew I wanted to travel if possible. Part of why I chose London was because it seemed like a great location for traveling around to other places in...
Experiencing Art in Rome
I’ve been in Rome for just a couple of days to study art and art history and have already experienced so much. We’ve been to the colosseum, the Vatican, and today we went to the Palazzo Barberini...
From Campus Squirrels to Campus Pigeons: The Difference Between US and UK Classrooms
From new lecturers to new students to possibly a new language, studying abroad can bring about many new experiences. Adjusting to the new environment can take tim e, motivation, and perserverance....
Weekend Trip to Morocco
I am studying abroad in Madrid, Spain and this last weekend my roommates and I took a trip just south to Tangier, Morocco. I was especially excited about this trip because I knew it would be a much...
Travel Day
Today is my travel day and it has started off with a huge BANG. First, my flight gets cancelled and I have to rebook. Second, it is Friday the 13th so what else could go wrong? I now get into...
A Hiking Guide to Busan, South Korea
So you have found yourself visiting the mountainous, bustling city of Busan. Located in the southeastern part of South Korea, Busan is the second-largest city with beautiful beaches, bustling night...
The Road to Phnom Penh
As I sit in the airport awaiting a connecting flight to Seoul, South Korea (where I will then fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia), I figured there is no better time to reflect on the pre-departure phase of...
Cambodia Bound!
Hi blog! My name is Jack Steinmetz and I am a Junior studying mechanical engineering on the STEM Path to the MBA. I am about to embark on the journey of a lifetime to Cambodia for 2 weeks! I am...
Ready or Not!
Hi everyone! My name is Sawyer Griffy. I am a mathematics major in the STEM Path to MBA. I am about to embark on a fascinating trip to Cambodia for the next two weeks. I have traveled to Europe on...
Thoughts from Birmingham Airport
pre-flight thoughts as I sit here for 12 hours
Preparing for Italy
If I was to tell myself one year ago that I would be in my final hours before departing to study abroad in multiple towns in Italy I wouldn't believe it at first due to all of the covid-related...
Popping Out to Portugal
A few weeks ago, for my spring break, me and a few of my roommates decided to use or week of free time to take a trip around the Iberian Peninsula. We went to Madrid for a few days first, which we...
Spanish Culture
Food Spanish food is very diverse depending on the region you are in. While in Spain we have tried many authentic Spanish foods...
All that Madrid has to offer
At first, I was a little overwhelmed with how large of a city Madrid is, having over 6 million people. I thought that it was going to be very difficult trying to navigate all that it has to offer....
Adjusting to Spain
I have now been in Spain for 3 months, and it was a challenging change at times. During the Alabama study abroad seminar, they discussed the different phases of emotions we would go through abroad...
Academics in Madrid, Spain
Courses Academics in Spain vary from the United States in so many ways. In most courses, there are two meeting days for 2 hours a piece. One large group for lecture and the other in a reduced group...
While Abroad
By: Samantha Hiebsch I am currently abroad in Milan, Italy and I am loving it. I cannot believe that I am already over halfway done with my semester abroad. Read on to see what I have experienced so...
My Favorite Thing About Barcelona
A view of the hilly neighborhood of Poble Sec There are so many things to love about Barcelona that it is tough to narrow down into one favorite thing. The food has been absolutely incredible,...
Excursions While Studying Abroad!
The excursions I have done during my study abroad experience so far have certainly been a highlight. It has been such a blast to be in Barcelona during the weekdays and then on some weekends be in...