Bama Bloggers Abroad
UA in Oxford: Reflecting on a Journey
Upon returning home, I was reminded of the differences in everyday things in England compared to the United States. The accents, grocery stores, and currencies are just few of the things that made...
Safari Before I Go
Returning home from South Africa was honestly heartbreaking. I enjoyed my experience immensely and could not believe how quickly the time passed. I was so glad I was able to check off something that...
Losing a Loved One While Studying Abroad
I participated in the UA in Ireland: Chemical Engineering program in June 2019. The dates for this program were May 27th - June 28th, 2019. We took two courses, Transport Phenomena (CHE 324) and...
Zipper Pants for the Win!
I decided to study abroad this summer because I will be beginning my senior year this fall, and it will be my last opportunity as a student to have new academic and personal growth experiences...
My Bodleian Library Experience
I am a huge fan of libraries and books of any sort and got my first library card when I was 3, so needless to say I was very excited when I was told that those of us on the UA at Oxford trip were...
Home Sweet Home Baby
The first things going through my head as I arrived in Chicago were my family. It’d been a while since I had seen them, and I missed them so much. The part that really got me though was that...
Missing France, Plus Advice
I miss French being spoken around me all the time. This is one of the first things which strikes me as I wait for my connection in the Atlanta airport, back on American soil. I am tired from my...
Walking and Diversity
I love the town of Tours. Although home to a similar population size as Tuscaloosa, everything in Tours is built close together, allowing you to walk everywhere. I walk from my host family to...
A Day in Rome: How I Learned to Enjoy my Own Company
While there are many moments that I will treasure forever from my time studying abroad in Italy, there is one day that I can’t help but talk about every single time. My group and I were about a week...
Life in Berlin
Studying abroad is an experience, and it's one that has its ups and downs. Upon arrival, the airline lost all of my luggage. I came to Germany for the summer and had barely any personal belongings....
Keep Calm and Stay Out of Temple Bar
While participating in the UA in Ireland: Chemical Engineering program, you will spend an excessive amount of time studying and doing homework. Your best friends will be coffee (which is €1 before...
Oh, Humidity
The morning above London. I've been home for two weeks now, and they have been slightly rough. A few days after getting back I woke up one morning to realize that I, unfortunately, took some germs...
Reflections
I have been back for less than a week and I am still a little jetlagged. Only a few days until the semester starts and while I am shocked by how fast the summer flew by, I wouldn’t change what I did...
Life After London
After an unforgettable six weeks in London, I was ready to come back to the States. The UK is similar enough to the US that I didn't experience too much reverse culture shock. But of course, I find...
Leaving Italy with a Full Stomach and Happy Heart
I’ve returned from Italy with a full stomach and a happy heart. Italy was full of new experiences, friends, and food. I was so sad to leave such a beautiful place, but I’m really happy to be back in...
A Tour of Tours
I've been in France for a few weeks now, and it has been everything I've always dreamed of! I first arrived in Paris, where we stayed for a week and did some sightseeing. I was so excited to see all...
The City of New Beginnings: Shanghai
For the longest time, I always struggled with being true to myself yet I was always subconsciously running away from and ignoring it, scared that maybe what I found when I looked hard enough into...
Around and Back Again
Well, I've come full circle. I have traveled to China and returned home all in one piece. I honestly missed the United States. Breakfast food, potato chips in certain flavors, driving, trees, and...
A Thank You to my Italian Family
Before this trip, I had only had the opportunity to travel abroad once. I was in high school and the trip only spanned the length of ten days, so I spent every night in one hotel or another. So when...
Perché Italia?
When I decided to declare a minor in Italian, the first question many people asked was "Why?" And why one decides to do something is rarely followed by a simple answer. However; just this once, the...
Practical Tips to Begin my Study Abroad in France
I am writing this update from the airport, where I am currently sitting as I wait to board a plane that will take me to Paris, France. From there I will travel via bullet train (the TGV) to the town...
Am I Homesick or Just Hot?
I missed very few things as much as I missed this cat. If I could have taken him with me, I would have never left the UK. I've been back in the states for almost a week now, and every day I find...
Advice for Future Students
The main piece of advice I would give students is to take full advantage of your study abroad experience. Take a step outside of your comfort zone and do things you would not normally do. Experience...
My Academic Experience in Portugal
Studying abroad has been an amazing experience so far. It is a very different experience taking classes here in Portugal. The biggest difference is the type of class I am enrolled in here. I am...
My Excursions in Portugal
I have been taking classes in Portugal this summer. I am located in Cascais a beach town about 30 minutes outside of Lisbon. I have had a great time exploring these cities after I get out of class...
A Love Letter to Scotland
In Scotland, it feels like you can reach out and grab the old gods. The second I got off the plane in Inverness's tiny airport, I knew I could live in the Highlands for the rest of my life. The...
Visiting Jane Austen
"if adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad" Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey Out of all the trips I've done while in England, the Jane Austen House...
In Oxford ~ While Abroad
Arriving in a different country is stressful.It took me about 4 days to adjust. I thought people were bluffing when they said that they have to recuperate from jet lag, but my first flight...
Experiences in France
For our first week in France we had the opportunity to spend the week in Paris and pass the time as tourists. Of course, the main purpose of the trip is education, so our professor spoke with us...
Learning new things
A study abroad program that’s only three weeks long seems very short. It doesn’t seem like you would get a lot out of it. However, my experience in Belize learning about reef systems and...
Going without expectations
Study abroad is a great opportunity to learn something different. Studying abroad has been a big part of my university experience. I have gone twice already, both times to China. My focus has always...
Class on the Beach
I have always loved learning, but being in school can somethings make that hard. I’m a senior and reflecting on all those years in school, classwork, homework, assigned readings can all seem like...
Life After China
When the day came to fly back home, I was really sad that the trip was already coming to an end. Where did the time go? The flight returning home always seems to go by so quickly. Because the trip...
Trip to Europe final thoughts
After taking some time after my trip to reflect on and digest all of my experiences I have come to the conclusion that I am extremely glad I took part in the study abroad trip to Croatia. I made...
The small differences in Europe
As my study abroad trip to Croatia is coming to a close, I wanted to dedicate one post to the things that are foreign or annoying about my time so far. My final post will be an overarching...
Prepping for Scotland
Ever since high school I’ve known I wanted to venture abroad. Not only to see and explore other countries but also to experience different cultures, dialects and ways of life. Last year I began...
Vegetables and Dessert in Shanghai
Wow. That’s one word I can use to sum up my time so far in Shanghai. I’ll give you the vegetables first: You’re going to read that the air quality in Shanghai, and most major cities in China, sucks....
Here We Go: Shanghai
Hi! I’m traveling to Shanghai, China in a couple of weeks. I’ll be there for 8 weeks. When I thought about studying abroad, I never imagined that I would be going to China, let alone Asia. When I...
“It’s Time for Africa!”
Alexa, play Africa by Toto. After preparing for this trip since August, three days of traveling and three passport stamps later... we finally made it to Livingstone, Zambia, Africa! Before arriving...
Ciao!
Ciao! When I landed in Venice, Italy I was more excited than nervous. I knew it would be difficult with the language barrier but I learned generic phrases and knew I would eventually...
Ciao Italia!
I have been in Italy for a whole month now! My plane departs from Leonardo da Vinci airport in Rome at 11:30 AM tomorrow and there are a million and one thoughts rushing through my head. I have had...
Love Letter to Valencia
I never expected to love this city so much. From the perfect weather, to the beautiful language, to the vibrant atmosphere, everything in Valencia has gone above and beyond my expectations. ...
UA in Oxford: A Journey Filled with History
Imperial War Museum, London With my time in Oxford coming to an end soon, I remember the places I went and the people I met. Walking around the historic colleges and reading at the Bodleian...
A Weekend in Scotland!
At the beginning of my third week in Oxford, I decided to join my friends on a weekend trip to Edinburgh at the end of the week. Although I was coming with my friends, actually about half of the UA...
Things I’ve Learned My First Week in Britain
"Cheers" Cheers is a word you hear a lot in Britain. I’ve heard it used in place of “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” and just a general phrase, but only in certain contexts. I’m not quite sure what...
Scotland So Far
When I first arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, I was overwhelmed and experienced major jet lag. I was excited to be in Scotland but also nervous at the same time. The first interesting thing I noticed...
London Baby!
My time in London has been an irreplaceable experience so far. At first, I was terrified. I had never been to another country. What if I couldn’t figure out transportation? Or the currency?...
UA in Spain
This summer, I took part in a UA in Spain Language and Culture program that allowed me to study Spanish and learn about the culture of Madrid for a month. It was a wonderful experience that allowed...
When in Spain
I didn't know what to expect when I arrived in Spain for my language and culture program. I was filled with nervousness and excitement alike, though the latter was the emotion that reigned supreme...
Choosing Spain
I knew as soon as I began my sophomore year at UA that I wanted to spend the summer abroad. My freshman year, I studied abroad for the first time and spent a month exploring Asia. We went to China...