Bama Bloggers Abroad
The Anticipation
The time between now and Sunday is moving way too slowly. On Sunday, a group of us depart from the US to Granada, Nicaragua. Our departure marks the start of a trip that I have been waiting for all...
Walking in Germany
I was in Karlsruhe, Germany, a relatively small city that is home to Karlschochschule International University. On the first day that we interacted with the University, we sat in on a lecture by Dr....
Rainforests, Reefs, and Ruins
I took Dr. Steinberg’s summer class called “Rainforests, Reefs, and Ruins.” The first week in Belize was filled with activities organized by the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment...
Off to Spain
Although I've never been the best speaker I've had a fascination with Spanish culture since the 2nd grade. My elementary school had an Spanish class one a week for all grades. Although I obviously...
Ready To Go: Granada, Nicaragua
When I first heard about the Nicaraguan Clinical Experience trip I immediately knew it was for me. It had everything that interested me: opportunities for lots of hands on learning in a medical...
Learning How to Speak Again
“Ano….Sumimasen, ichi onegai shimasu”. I said confidently to the staff member behind the counter. I knew she would understand what I was saying. A little cavemanish, but definitely passable, or so I...
The HERD Returns to Haiti
This time one year ago, I boarded a plane bound for Port-au-Prince, Haiti with a bunch of complete strangers and Lisa McKinney, a women renowned among Culverhouse students as the world’s most...
My first week in Belize
Belize is a beautiful country just south of Mexico. I have yet to meet a stranger here. The locals learn English in school, so English speakers will not have a problem communicating or getting...
Czech-in out Europe
Today is the day! In less than 24 hours I will begin my study abroad program in Warsaw, Poland and Prague, Czech Republic. I am so excited for this amazing opportunity to travel and learn in a...
Almost Over
I've officially finished my course studies in Dublin and bittersweet doesn't begin to cover it. I've managed to spend the last four months seeing every piece of Europe I could, and I'm not done yet!...
Moving through the Alps
Right now I am on a train headed through the Alps from Zurich, Switzerland to Vienna, Austria. My interim study abroad has been amazing so far. There are 11 students, both undergraduates and grad...
El Primer Día
While I’ll be gone for a month, I know my time in Spain is going to fly by. Quite honestly I think I’ll be having such an incredible time here in Spain it will be entirely too difficult to get...
Neuschwanstein Castle
When I signed up to go to Germany, I imagined getting a quick glimpse of the countryside through the train window, with most time spent in the big cities sightseeing. I am currently on the UA...
Tips Before the Trip
Call me crazy, but a month ago all I knew about Germany was history from World War II and the Berlin Wall (among other minute details). I spotted the UA Honors in Germany trip in the Honors College...
New Zealand Excursions!
I cannot believe I only have two months left in New Zealand! The semester has flown by! I have been fortunate enough to travel around the south island of New Zealand almost every weekend with my...
First Day! Flying in and Walking Tour
Flight into Dublin wasn't too bad. I flew out of Charlotte to Boston, and then had a four layover in Boston. Was able to catch up on work and get ready for the trip. Took off from Boston at 6p,...
Paris (and London)… Finally!
Like so many people, Paris had always been a dream of mine. I would always fantasize about the food, the shopping and the culture in general. I was thrilled when I heard about the "PR in Paris"...
2 Days until Europe
The countdown has begun—2 days until I travel to Europe. I cannot believe Sophomore year has already come to an end, but I look forward to the exciting journey that lies ahead in the upcoming weeks....
Dublin, Berlin, Munich Trip Prep
In 19 hours my wife will drop me off at Charlotte-Douglas airport, and I will begin my Study Abroad Trip. 17 hours after that I will step off the Aer Lingus flight onto Irish soil for the first...
Pre-departure for my trip to MEXICO!
I am four days away from going on my first study abroad trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico! This will also be the first time I will travel out of the country....
Exam Advice
I have about two and a half weeks left here in Edinburgh. I have taken two out of my three final exams so I feel confident enough to share a bit of advice about the exam process. For starters, all...
A whole new world: home
Spending three months in Cuba I had to learn new customs, speak in another language, and adapt to my unusual surroundings. With a daily routine consisting of class, walking around Havana, and a...
Paris in less than 24hrs!!
Last summer, many of my sorority sisters were fortunate enough to study abroad for the summer. Prior to their departure I asked many questions, inquiring about the process in which I should...
Thoughts Before Going to Mexico-Excited But Nervous
I am so excited! I am going to Mexico! I would like to thank the Study Abroad office at UA for giving me the scholarship to make this possible! I have never been to another country but have always...
Pre-Departure for Finding Meaning in Switzerland and Austria
11 days remain until I depart for Switzerland and Austria for an interim course and I never expected I’d have the chance to study abroad during my time at UA. My faculty-led program is called...
Running out of time
So, as I sit here to write this I have three weeks left. How has the time gone by so fast? I remember yesterday boarding the plane on my way over to Spain. I cannot believe four months has blown by....
My Demography Was Not My Destination
It all started in March of 2015. It was my first time going through customs, a word I always heard about but never thought I would get to experience. It was my first time on a plane, a vehicle of...
Traveling Abroad
One of the best perks of Study Abroad is the Abroad part of the experience, especially the travel abroad. By choosing to go to school at Leicester University, I had the...
But Really…Berlin?
When people discover that I'm studying abroad this summer, the first question I'm asked every single time is "Where?" Once I say "Berlin," I get a variety of responses that mostly include confusion...
Learning to speak “Australian”
I'm not going to lie, the fact that English is the main language spoken in Australia, was a major reason for why I chose to study here. I took 3 years of honors Spanish in high school and still...
Three Months Down, One to Go.
I cannot believe it. I have been in living in London for three months. This trip has been so many things. Exciting, exhausting, exhilarating, and so much more. London has been beautiful and I have...
Post Spring Break Reflections
Last Sunday evening, I arrived back in Bilbao, Spain where I've been living and studying since the beginning of January after traveling for 16 days during my Spring Break. It was an exciting moment...
Havana Good Time: Classic Cars and Cigars
Being in Havana, Cuba is an experience. The ability to feel a world away, with only 90 miles of separation has become a driving force in the way I have appreciated my time here. The rich cultural...
When in Dominican
My first impression upon arrival was a bit of a culture shock. When we landed in the airport, which is much different than our state airports, it was very colorful filled with art and murals. The...
Settled Down in Brisbane
It's absolutely crazy to me to think that I have already been in Australia for over a month! The time sure does fly out here... And what an exciting month it has been! One of the cool things about...
Home sweet home
When returning back to the US, I was so excited to be home and see this beautiful, amazing country we live in. When we got to the airport, I realized how incredibly advanced and easy...
Abuelita
I was sitting at the kitchen table last night, serving myself stuffed green peppers prepared by my host grandmother (affectionately referred to as “Mamá”) when I recognized the sound of Frank...
Historia en Habana: #findPOTUS
The month of March in Cuba has been nothing short of exciting, and it wasn’t until now that I realized the magnitude that the announcement of normalization in relations has had and will continue to...
Home Sweet Home
Last night our group arrived at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to conclude our week-long Dominican Republic excursion. While I had a fantastic experience serving the people of...
Back from the DR
Now that I'm home I already want to make plans to go on another trip. I don't know if I'd like to experience somewhere new or return to the Dominican Republic, but it will have to be as an RN rather...
My Journey 1 Month In
The very, very first word that came to thought when I walked up the metro steps and met my new city was the world clean. Barcelona was very… clean. I was expecting more of a New York City...
San Juan, Dominican Republic
My first impression when arriving in Santa Domingo/San Juan was shock at how different it is than what I am used to. I was shocked and felt so thankful for what I have. The first situation I...
10 Tips for Your First Week
I have been in Edinburgh for a week now and already I have learned so much about the people and culture! In this post I am going to talk mostly about advice I would give to students looking into...
Cuando en la República Dominicana…
Today is the fourth day of my study abroad experience and my third day in the Dominican Republic. Our first day in the country, we spent our time at a YWAM camp in Santo Domingo. However, we...
Looking back at the Exchange Process and Looking forward to the Semester
Hello, my name is Christina Irion, and I am going to share my experience with preparing for my Exchange experience. I knew from my freshman year that I wanted to take the opportunity...
La Vita in Italia
Ciao from Italy! It has been a little over a month since I arrived in Florence, which is hard to believe. Time seems to be passing quicker than I could've imagined. But I am loving every minute of...
En Route to the Dominican Republic
When I heard during Fall orientation that the Capstone College of Nursing was organizing a trip to the Dominican Republic to set up health clinics, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to go. One of...
Heading Across The Pond
Four more days remain until I embark on what is about to be the experience of a lifetime. I have anticipated this day coming for what seems like a lifetime since I started the process for studying...
A Major Case of the “What Ifs”
What happens when anxiety strikes before your trip and you seem more worried than excited? Then, you might have a case of the “What Ifs,” but lucky for you this blog exists to extinguish all those worries and kick your excitement into high gear.
Pre-Departure: Russia 2016
I can’t believe that I’ll be going to Russia next week. It is so weird not to be at Alabama with all of my friends, but I am very excited about studying abroad. I have always wanted to visit Russia...