Bama Bloggers Abroad
Semester is almost over :[
The semester is almost over already :[ Somehow it's already been over four months since I got here, I have had a blast in Paris. Although, sadly, it is coming to an end it was a once-in-a-lifetime...
Studying in One of the Oldest Libraries in the World
Studying in the Bodleian library has been a dream of mine since high school. The bodleian, just like the rest of Oxford is one of the oldest and most acclaimed places in the world. It is straight...
Navigating Britrail
Navigating britrail within the United Kingdom can be a real challenge. Though our britrail passes got us free trips to anywhere within the UK, the logistics of getting there were […]
Oxford’s College Campuses Compared to Ours
For the most part, Oxford University's college grounds are completely different than ours. Really, the only thing similar is the presence of dorm rooms and class rooms. Most of the Oxford college...
Changed for the Better: How Study Abroad Shaped Me
Studying abroad has truly changed me for the better. Before this trip, I used to be afraid of change and hesitant about new beginnings. I liked staying in my comfort zone because it felt safe and...
Views From Cape Coast
Pictured in this post is the Cape Coast Castle in Cape Coast, Ghana. It was originally built by Sweden in the 17th century. Over the years, many countries took possession of it until the 1660s when...
Reflecting on my time in Benin
Returning home from Cotonou, Benin after a transformative four-week study abroad experience has been both comforting and surprisingly disorienting. While I was excited to reunite with family, sleep...
Advice for Future Study Abroad Students
If I could give one piece of advice to future study abroad students, it would be to embrace change and step outside your comfort zone. New places, new people, and new routines can feel overwhelming...
Going to Ghana: Tips and Advice for Studying Abroad
Sunset in Kakum National Park As I prepared to study abroad, I had so many thoughts and expectations. Going to Ghana was not something I ever anticipated being a part of my academic and personal...
10,000 Miles Away
Before I left for Australia in July, I made a joke that it would probably be the farthest point away I could get from my hometown in New York. Turns out, Melbourne, which is just a two hour flight...
Finding Value and Authenticity in Your Study Abroad Journey
Photo I took of Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland For the fall 2025 semester, I chose to study at the University of Helsinki in Finland. This is my fourth time studying abroad, following...
Studying Abroad in Budapest: First Weeks and Impressions
My name is Tyler LeValley and I am a junior at Alabama majoring in marketing and minoring in international business. This semester I am studying abroad at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. I...
Arrival in Perth: A New Chapter Abroad
Studying abroad has always been something I wanted to do, but I never thought my first trip outside the US would take me all the way to the other side of the world in Perth, Australia. This is my...
Diving into the Unknown
Living by the ocean on the Gold Coast, I was drawn to picking up a water activity during my time here. After some exploration, discussion, and the convincing of my friends, I signed up for a course...
Advice for Spain Travels – Reality and Necessities
Studying abroad in Spain was one of the most enriching experiences of my college journey, and I’m grateful for every moment spent exploring the historic streets of Madrid and the vibrant coast of...
Reflection On My Return From Belize
Now that I’m back home, my mind is filled with a mix of emotions. The moment I stepped off the plane and into the airport, everything felt so familiar, yet different. I was excited to reunite with...
State-side Again: A Reflection on My Time in New Zealand
The past three weeks have been packed full of incredible adventures, but the time has absolutely flown by. It all feels like a blur of hikes, cities, restaurants, presentations, and traveling....
Almost Out the Door: Getting Ready for Spain
Getting ready to go abroad to Spain has been a mix of excitement, nerves, and a whole lot of list-making. It still doesn’t feel totally real, but with my flight coming up soon, I’m starting to feel...
Traveling to New Zealand (ft. first impressions)
“I’m naming this first leg of our trip ‘Escape from LA,’” joked my study abroad professor as we fumbled our way through the labyrinth of the LAX airport, trying to find the international terminal. I...
Grateful for Spain: A Chapter I’ll Never Forget
Only 20 days left before the end of my study abroad program, and it’s bittersweet. It’s hard to accept that I’ll soon be leaving a place that has truly become a second home. While I’m excited to...
Time to go home
Somehow, it is now already May, now I have to get ready to go home somehow. I have studied abroad these past two semesters, one in Rome and one in Paris. It has flown by like it was nothing, I 1000%...
Study Trip to Japan
For spring break, I went on an astronomy and computer science-based study trip with my school, AUP, to Tokyo, Japan. This trip was filled with it all, we got to explore Tokyo and went to 3 other...
Exploring Impact & Innovation in Panama City: A Day with GELI- UA in Panama
Today, our Manderson Graduate College GELI cohort had an incredible day in Panama City, diving into impactful community service, engaging with global business leaders, and exploring innovation in...
Day 4: Navigating History at the Panama Canal – A UA Adventure!
Good morning from Panama City! Today was all about one of the modern wonders of the world—the iconic Panama Canal—and what an unforgettable day it was! Journey to the CanalAfter a hearty breakfast,...
What they don’t tell you about life in Japan.
Truthfully, I haven't been dealing with a lot of culture shock. It turns out that researching and studying a country for three years will prepare you for the cultural differences and challenges you...
Pre-Departure
Experiencing the world and discovering something new offers opportunities that aren’t available to everyone, making my feelings about traveling abroad even more appreciative and exciting. For most...
UA in Panama : Day 1
Our first full day in Panama was nothing short of amazing! As part of the Manderson Graduate College of Business and the Global Experiential Learning Initiative (GELI), we dove headfirst into the...
Pre-Departure Reflections: Embarking on the Manderson Global Experiential Learning Initiative in Panama
As the countdown to my departure for Panama begins, I find myself reflecting on what led me to this incredible opportunity and what I hope to gain from it. The Manderson Global Experiential Learning...
Return: Panama City, Panama
After returning, all I really want to do is go study abroad again. It was such a fun and rewarding experience and really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I feel like I am more certain of my career...
While Abroad
Hi from Ghana, my first impression upon arriving in my host country was excitement and amazement, and the country's scenery. But when I arrived at the host college, I quickly had thoughts running...
Country-Hopping and Culture Shock
Many of us who have the opportunity to travel abroad will experience many different countries, and with that WILL come culture shock, too. Whether you are traveling to one country and hopping around...
New Beginnings in an Old City: My First Day Abroad in Dubrovnik
Bright and sunny. I had read plenty about my European destinations and expected stunning views, but nothing could have truly prepared me for how breathtaking Dubrovnik is in person. The moment I...
1 week into living life on a ship
Let me warn you, my study abroad experience is not the typical one, but it is just that much more interesting! I am a junior at The University of Alabama studying advertising and sales. I am...
Living in Birmingham, UK
It has been a little bit over a week since I arrived at the Univesity of Birmingham and it has already been so much fun, but it has also been a smooth transition. Since being here I have been able...
Studying Shakespeare in England and Traveling to the Globe!
“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in.” A month travelling across England to see stage adaptations from the Bard himself makes me agree with his sentiment! As part of our EN 333...
Places, People, and Practicalities: Mapping Daily Life in Porto
I spent three weeks in Porto for the European Innovation Academy, living near Polo Universitário, so the neighborhood and the people around campus shaped how I used the city each day. After locking...
Thank You New Zealand!
The final part of the trip was in incredible! The day after we arrived in Wellington, we had the opportunity to take a ferry and go to Eastbourne, which was a little town across the Wellington...
Uncle Ho Welcomes You to Hanoi
After over six months of anticipation, I have finally arrived in beautiful Vietnam. This year marks the 50th anniversary of North Vietnam's triumph over the south and the United States, although...
Steps Towards Scotland
So, I’m getting ready to go abroad!!! I can’t believe it’s actually happening. This will be my first long trip out of the country, and to say I’m a mix of nerves and excitement would be an...
Edinburgh Awaits!
Hi everyone! My name is Isabella Hanson, and I am a junior dance and creative media major here at the university! I write this sitting in the airport, anticipating every moment that is to come with...
Take me Back
I'm back! Man does it feel weird. Weirdly, I'm feeling possessive over Ireland. I hear of people visiting or wanting to go there and I suddenly feel like I have a million words to say and not enough...
Couldn’t Have Been Better in Hindsight…
Now that I have finished my summer study abroad trip in France, I can safely say that that was one of the highlights of my life. When the time got close for me to actually go on the trip, I was...
Yonder Heads to Scotland!
Today, members of Yonder Contemporary Dance Company are heading to Scotland to perform in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. After a seven-and-a-half-hour rehearsal yesterday, we’re feeling ready to...
Creepy Crawly Vietnam
Vietnam is a tropical paradise with an array of creepy crawly creatures. During a tour to the famous Mekong Delta, I had the opportunity to handle a beautiful python. We also took a stroll through a...
A Hitchhikers Guide to Edinburgh, Scotland
Haylee Elizabeth Pack Every August, Edinburgh transforms into a completely new world for the Fringe Festival, the largest celebration of theater, dance, music, and street performance. As a...
Transcendent Traditions–Oxford, England
The University of Oxford is almost 1000 years old (the founding is estimated at 1096 CE). The heritage and culture of this ancient institution can be seen embodied in the ceremonies and buildings of...
As Gaeilge Le do thoil- In Irish please!
I can't even begin to tell you how incredible this experience has been. Everybody always tells you how much study abroad changes your life, and of course I believed them, but I didn't think it would...
Sevilla!!
One of my first thoughts arriving in a new country was, “I want to go home”. I think this is a very common reaction I believe. I had traveled for almost 24 hours, I was with a large group of very...
My Friend Almost Gets Eaten
So far, my time in Belize has been everything I had hoped for and more. I have learned so much about native species and their roles in building and maintaining the reef, and I have also seen...
Preparing for the Trip of a Lifetime
I chose to study abroad in Belize for a variety of reasons. For one, I have never been abroad, and I figured it would be a good idea for my first time to be with a faculty-led study abroad program....