by Maliah L. | Nov 17, 2025 | Asia, Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
South Koreans and Americans differ in many cultural, social, and behavioral ways. While Americans generally value independence, self-expression, and personal freedom, South Koreans tend to prioritize group harmony, respect for hierarchy, and collective responsibility....
by Maliah L. | Nov 17, 2025 | Asia, Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
When I first arrived in South Korea, I was incredibly impressed. Everything felt new and exciting, and I immediately felt welcomed by the warm atmosphere and kind people. I was filled with a mix of emotions like excitement, curiosity, and a touch of nervousness. I...
by Willow M. | Nov 17, 2025 | Asia, Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Hello there! This is Willow Mills checking in from South Korea! I can hardly begin to describe how amazing these three weeks have been. It is my first time in Asia, but it definitely won’t be my last. The biggest adjustment I have had to face has been the...
by Robyn H. | Oct 24, 2025 | Asia, Exchange, Semester
It’s been about two months since I first arrived in Japan for my semester abroad. Those two months, but especially since I first arrived, have been a nonstop learning experience. There was no way I could know everything about Japan, my host institution, or every...
by Rob K. | Oct 20, 2025 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Photo: View from our boat in Ha Long Bay in Northeast Vietnam. Hello! Today, I have made it back to Alabama after another long and tiring day of travel. However, I am incredibly fulfilled after completing our time in North Vietnam and Taipei, Taiwan. Both places were...
by Treycen G. | Oct 20, 2025 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
The first full day of Cambodia began with a business field trip to a garment factory. The factory we visited is a global supply chain component of the garment industry. It was interesting to read all of the places that these textiles were being shipped to which opened...
by Treycen G. | Oct 20, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I had finally arrived in the last country of the Asia Trip: Laos. While the rest of the trip had full schedules and packed days, the plan for Laos was similar to how Laos is as a country. We had a few events planned, but overall, it was free reign for us. Laos was the...
by Kaya H. | Oct 16, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Non-traditional, Summer, _
If you’re anything like me, the thought of studying abroad brings a wave of excitement and nerves. Before I came to the university, I dreamed of studying abroad, but never thought I’d have the opportunity, due to finances and class constraints. But now, in my final...
by Sameen H. | Oct 15, 2025 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Now that I am traveling back home, I am thinking of all the wonderful experiences I was able to take part in while abroad. From snorkeling with sea turtles to interviewing the manager of a garment factory, I gained first-hand knowledge of the various cultures in...
by Rob K. | Oct 14, 2025 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Summer, _
Hello! Earlier today, I finally arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after a very long journey starting from Birmingham, Alabama. To be honest, so far, the city is about as I expected based on my past travel experience to Southeast Asia. In other words, I am enjoying...
by Sameen H. | Oct 14, 2025 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
When I first arrived in my program’s first host country of Malaysia, I was immediately struck by the heat and humidity that far exceeded any I had ever encountered in the United States. In fact, it was so humid that in the last few minutes of my flight to Kuala...
by Alexis H. | Oct 14, 2025 | Africa, Asia, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Since I’m studying abroad on Semester at Sea, my “host location” is a bit unconventional, the MV World Odyssey, sailing in the middle of the ocean. What drew me to this program, and what I’ve come to love most, is the incredible sense of community on board. When I...
by Willow M. | Oct 14, 2025 | Asia, Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Hi there! My name is Willow and I’m going on the UA in South Korea trip to study advertising and public relations strategies internationally! I’m currently 18 days out from flying to Incheon Airport, and I won’t lie, I’m a little nervous....
by Alexis H. | Oct 14, 2025 | Africa, Asia, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
I had known since my freshman year of high school that I wanted to go on Semester at Sea, and I was beyond excited for my junior year of college to finally take on this adventure. Still, deciding to study abroad during the year when none of my friends were going felt...
by Sameen H. | Oct 14, 2025 | Asia, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I chose to study abroad because of the inspiration from my sister and the motivation from my parents. When my older sister, Sarah, was an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University she took part in a study abroad program to various European countries...
by Ryan P. | Sep 17, 2025 | Asia, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
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 cities: Kyoto, Himeji, and Sayo. Sayo is a super tiny town that even...
by William A. | Aug 8, 2025 | _
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 places like Hanoi appear as if the war had ended significantly...
by Kaya H. | Jul 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Non-traditional, Summer, _
Traveling from the United States to Vietnam was no easy feat. Serving as my first international flight experience, the two-day commute with multiple layovers truly tested my resilience and patience. But all of this stress was relieved the second I landed in Hanoi,...
by Dan L. | Jul 22, 2025 | Asia, Engineering, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
Now that the semester is wrapping up, I’ve had some time to reflect on my time in Korea and how it compares to other places I’ve visited. During these four months, I also traveled to China and Japan, which gave me useful context to think about what Korea does well and...
by Willow M. | Jul 22, 2025 | Asia, Comm & Info Sciences, Faculty-Led, _
Hi there, it’s Willow, one month post-Korea! I expected that there would be some unexpected culture shocks when returning to America, but these are my top 5 shocks over the past month: Tipping culture: In South Korea, tipping is not normal because service...
