by Lillian J. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Hello again everyone! Last time I checked in, I updated you all on my time in the cities of Konstanz and Strasbourg during my summer abroad in Germany. Well, I’m finally back home in Alabama, and I’d thought I’d use this last blog post to talk about my last couple of...
by Caitlin S. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
5/25: Before Departure Getting ready to go abroad has completely taken over my mind, my Pinterest boards, and my TikTok feed. I’ve probably watched over a hundred detailed videos on “what I wish I packed for study abroad” and “underrated travel essentials every...
by Austen W. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
Arriving in the United Kingdom from the United States has been nothing short of transformative. Stepping into Oxford felt like entering a different world—one steeped in centuries of tradition, stunning architecture, and a vibrant academic culture. Our purpose here is...
by Caitlin S. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
7/21: Home for a Week Coming back home felt familiar at first—English signs, the foods I know, the usual routines I had missed. But after a little while, I started noticing subtle things that felt unexpectedly different and new. For example, I found myself getting...
by Caitlin S. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
6/15: Half-Way Done Taking classes abroad has been a refreshing shift from what I’m used to at the University of Alabama. Everything feels more casual in the best way—professors go by their first names, which felt strange at first but quickly became natural. The...
by Alex F. | Jul 22, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Seoul, South Korea, you have been an unforgettable chapter in my life. As I say goodbye, my heart is filled with gratitude for the kindness and warmth of the people I met here. From the friendly strangers who offered directions with a smile, to the friends who shared...
by Suzanna B. | Jul 17, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Let’s just say, I do not have the best track record when it comes to packing lightly. I have always been that one person in my family that has to be prepared for every minor problem that may arise. However, I realize that while living abroad overpacking will...
by Jack R. | Jul 17, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
Shakespeare is woven into the tapestry of life in Oxford, England. From the Radcliffe Camera library of the Bodleian (which is designed in the style of Shakespeare’s Globe’s) to the stained glass scenes from Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies in Worcester College,...
by Alexandria R. | Jul 16, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
I am so pumped!!!…but also nervous. How crazy is it that I get to go and create memories that will last a lifetime while also learning and doing something that I love???? I think the nerves come from hoping that I’m not forgetting something, or hoping that...
by Amelia W. | Jul 14, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Now that I’m done with my experience studying abroad in Benin, I have learned a lot, but not only in terms of academics; it also has been a very personal journey for me. In retrospect, there are certainly things I wish I’d known before I flew the coop. So to anyone...
by Isabella D. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, _
Now that I’m back home, it’s surreal to think that just a week ago I was walking the cobblestone streets of Florence with 17 other students from Alabama, strangers who turned into my lifelong friends. I remember stepping off the plane and feeling equal parts nervous...
by Isabella D. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
As I write this blog post I currently have the warm summer sun illuminating my funky italian room, my host mom is preparing our amazing and fresh dinner, and our 20 year old cat is snuggled up next to me. Who would have ever thought that I would find such a new...
by Isabella D. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Program Type, Summer, _
Before I left for Florence I had no clue what to expect. Between the excitement of experiencing the unknown cultural normalities and the vast range of Italian food, I was already ecstatic! I was initially nervous about studying abroad by myself, as someone who is a...
by Gabriel S. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Summer, _
Happiness is pleasure plus memories plus people Arthur Brooks Wow, I cannot believe it is over. Less than a week ago, I was in Ireland, trekking across the mountains, fields, towns, farms, and islands of that beautiful country. There is far too much to talk about in a...
by Gabriel S. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Summer, _
Well, there it is. That suitcase will hold everything I need for the next 20 days. To be honest, I still don’t think it’s sunk in yet, and I don’t know if it will until I actually step off the plane. There is a part of me that wants that though, because I don’t want...
by Margarita A. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Hm. I never thought I’d be sitting next to my mom buying a plane ticket with a minimum travel time of 14 hours. First time for everything I suppose. Speaking of firsts—this will be my first time overseas in Madrid, Spain, Europe; pretty much anywhere that is not the...
by Jack R. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Summer
Leading up to my study abroad opportunity in Oxford, I spent a month working as an EMT and shadowing at the ER in my hometown. I enjoyed the experience immensely, and I learned a great deal from it. However, during that time, my life moved extremely fast. I worked...
by Andreea T. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
As I landed in Charles de Gaulle, the strongest emotion I felt was tiredness. I had not slept at all on the plane; moreover, I was hauling around a broken suitcase and carry-on luggage. I was overwhelmed on the bus ride home but as my new host “mom” welcomed me to...
by Andreea T. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Celebrating the Fourth of July after coming home! As I adjust to life in the United States and reminisce about my time in France, I find comfort in a familiar environment, yet I miss many aspects of my life abroad. When I first landed at the Atlanta Airport, I was...
by Katie S. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
Motivation/Reasoning: I applied for this program, after Professor Chris Hale came by one of my classes to talk about the upcoming trip. Not only was it a good opportunity to learn about political science in another country , but it also would give me a better...
