Bama Bloggers Abroad
Before Traveling Abroad
I traveled abroad to Florence, Italy this summer to learn more about the Italian language and culture. This was only the second time I had been out of the country and, as such, I had assumed it...
Fast Fertig 🙁
Naturally, I arrived in Berlin via the airport—the famous Tegel airport. I was expecting to find an airport that met the stereotypes of Germany: clean, efficient, and modern-to-the-point of...
Diving In
This summer I have visited 3 countries, and several different cities within Italy. Prior to this summer, I had never been out of the continental United States, it has been a bit different than the...
East and West
Despite being home in the United States, my mind often wanders back to the rolling hills of plum orchards and small bustling cities of Serbia. The sweeping cathedrals, delicious food, and friendly...
What Nobody Told Me About Studying Abroad
Studying abroad was one of the most amazing opportunities that I've ever had, but I've been thinking a lot since I returned home from my study abroad experience about the things I wish I had known...
The First Month
After the first week of coming to Japan, everything became a whir of trying to orientate myself here. There was a lot of paperwork we had to do for both the university and for Japan, not to mention...
What to expect when you go abroad:
This summer was the first time I had ever ventured out of the country, and it was the time of my life. Everyone knows things will be a little different in a different country, but its one of those...
After Abroad
So now you've been to some fascinating places, made wonderful friends, learned a lot about yourself, what now? Returning to my home campus was a reality check, that life is a little more simple on a...
Oxford Thoughts — Upon Return to UA
Most of Oxford’s old city wall has been absorbed into New College, and outside of it runs a street that’s named Longwall. Names and titles throughout the rest of the city are just as uncreative....
Interesting Hindu Traditions in India
India is home to many religions, Hinduism is the largest percentage, around 80%, followed by Islam ( only 14% of the population, but with almost 200,000,000 adherents, it is the country with the...
Being back in the United States
Being abroad has changed me, and it was for the better. I loved every minute of it, even though some parts were hard. I have been back in the United States for about a month now. Sometimes I still...
Getting to Kyoto from Miami
It's a little difficult to explain what it's like to leave the country for a year. At first, you can't be more excited for it, but then the reality starts to sink in. Suddenly, you're looking at...
Discovering Oxford
My experience at the University of Oxford is assuredly the most interesting and engaging adventure of my life thus far. My classes at Worcester College are fascinating and awe-inspiring, and I find...
Reflecting on Time Abroad
I spend today preparing myself for my next semester of school and I am able to reflect on the time I spent abroad. I am able to recall all of the incredible experience I had and all of the great...
Reflection Upon Returning Home
Having spent a few weeks since returning from my study abroad program, I have definitely had time to reflect upon my experiences. During my six weeks in Roatan, Honduras, I learned so much in...
Coming Home
I still can't believe it's over. It almost doesn't feel real that I'm home, like I'm in a dream I'm about to wake up from. I already miss being in Germany and I've only been home for a few days....
Separation Anxiety
Wow! What a summer in Italy! It was an incredibly life-changing experience that I would encourage anyone and everyone to do. It helped bring out my independence, flexibility, and adaptability,...
Arrival Home
As my trip to Ireland winded to an end, I got very sad to travel home. My summer in Ireland was one of the best experiences that I could have asked for. I was able to make so many new friends,...
Bye Berlin, Back in the States!
Although I was very disappointed to be leaving Berlin, a city I had grown to be familiar with and love, I was also very excited to go home and see my friends again and return to Tuscaloosa, a place...
Host City (Nis)
We have returned to Belgrade this week after spending a full week in Nis with our hosts. Nis is a mid-sized city in the southeast of the country. During my stay, I lived...
Tschuss, Europa!
My journey home was, to say the least, arduous. A long and tiring time-zone-hopping, people-dodging endeavor. I left my Amsterdam hostel (I travelled around Europe a bit after my study abroad...
Abroad in Germany – Upon Return
My time abroad in Germany has recently come to an end. While abroad, I have made many new friends and learned a lot about German language and culture. My last week, which was spent in Munich...
Exhausted Expedition (STEM Path Abroad in India)
The reverse culture shock was real. After spending over twenty-four hours in the air and only twelve hours having gone by on my watch, I was finally walking back onto American soil. The smells,...
Back to the US
After a month in Cuba I wasn't ready to leave... I had made some amazing friends and learned so much. However, I had to return to the US. I was excited to go home because I had missed my friends and...
I’m home… Now what?
It's going to sound pathetic, but my first thought upon returning home was being able to switch back to my regular cellular plan. I wouldn't be charged for international roaming, and wouldn't need...
Returning home from Berlin
Being back in the United States now makes me realize how much I've changed and it seems like everything else stood still. I can tell just by the way I carry myself now that I am a changed person....
The Indian Village Experience
My adventures in Greece came to a conclusion, and I having met so many great people and the country exceeding my every expectation, can not wait to return. I can’t thank the locals who showed me...
Tribal Time (STEM Study Abroad in India)
Imagine a country that has roughly three times the population of the United States in about half the total area of land. Now open your eyes…that country is India. I can honestly say that India is...
Ich bin ein Berliner?
Ever since I was young I have dreamed of taking a trip to Europe. Maybe it was watching the Cheetah Girls strut down the streets of Barcelona or Lizzie Margurie live her best life in Italy. I can't...
Merci Bruxelles
Leaving Brussels was definitely bittersweet. The morning I left, I made sure to swing by my favorite café and get one more coffee for the road. I still had one more week left in Europe since I was...
Transportation in Japan
In America, we usually drive around cars to get from place to place. The same is true for Japan for some people. Except, driving in Japan is extremely expensive. Japanese law mandates people to go...
Summer in Barcelona
I’ve been back in the United States for about a week now and I have had some time to reflect on my summer abroad. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been able to spend six weeks in Barcelona and...
How to Bargain in India
You may think you're good at bargaining, but even the most savvy, budget-conscious, stubborn negotiator can learn some valuable skills from the average corner shop owner in India. They are masters...
A Collection from Costa Rica: Things I’ve learned through the struggles
Costa Rica is an entirely different country with a beautiful outlook on life. In their culture, the phrase "pura vida" rings through in everything that they do. Pura vida means pure life in spanish....
Weird things they do in Costa Rica: another list
I believe that the title says it all: Give right of way to cars and not to pedestrians Put 10 keys on a key ring when you use 2 of them Participate in "loaf of bread" day. One day every week where...
Returning Home From Oxford
While on the plane back from London, I felt tired. Part of me looked forward to getting back to my regular routine in the states (seeing my dog again). But mostly, I was not ready to leave, as was...
Honors Abroad
Choosing to study abroad was easily one of the best decisions I have made in my life thus far, but I’m pretty sure you will hear that from anyone who studies abroad or visits Europe in...
Coming to an End
As my month in Ireland comes to an end, I can't help but to think back on all of the things I have seen and done. In only 30 days, I have traveled across the south portion of the Ireland, from...
Traveling While Traveling
I have been living in Oxford for the past two weeks and each weekend I have taken an opportunity to travel to a new place. Though the UK and Europe are the ideal places to country hop and sightsee,...
A Few of Oxford’s Secrets
Here I sit, five hours into my nearly ten-hour flight to Atlanta and I’m flipping through my journal entries from the past month. I am a avid visual-journalist so my pages are filled with my small...
Home Sweet Home
By the last week I was so ready to get home and see my friends, family, dog, and to chow down on some Chick-fil-a. It wasn’t until the last day of classes when our teachers started to say their...
Readjusting Again
Currently, I am sitting at home and watching TV with my family for the first time in five weeks. It is a very bittersweet feeling; I am happy to be with my family again, but sad to be home already....
Enjoying Berlin
One of my first thoughts upon arriving in Berlin was that it isn't much different than any other large American city. Tall buildings, lots of people everywhere, a confusing public transportation...
St. Sava Temple
One building dominates the skyline of Old Belgrade – the St. Sava Temple. Its huge light-blue domes capped with golden Orthodox crosses seemingly pop out of nowhere when looking at the sky. It...
Reminiscing
Previously, I wrote a post about how homesick I was; now, I am homesick for the country that was temporarily my home. It has been exactly 38 days since I have returned to Alabama, but the experience...
Skomer Island, Wales
While abroad I have learned a lot, and had the wonderful opportunity to travel. This is a picture of me and a dear friend I was able to meet here, Elyssa. We had just finished hiking a...
Abroad in Germany – Berlin and Munich
During my time abroad, my language skills have improved significantly in certain areas. Though I continue to struggle with listening comprehension, conveying messages and exchanging in casual...
Reverse Culture Shock is Real
Coming back to the USA from being abroad always requires a period of readjustment, and this journey abroad was no different. My first feeling upon landing in Charlotte was that of being completely...
While Abroad
The first emotions I experienced after arriving in Bali, Indonesia were excited, but also quite nervous. Arriving at midnight, taking a cab in an unfamiliar city, and concluding that I might die on...
Life in Cuba
Life in Cuba has been amazing! Throughout my three, almost four, weeks that I’ve been here I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel around the island as well as the city I’m living in. I’ve gone to...