by Noah D | Jul 18, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
When you first arrive at your new home, you’re totally amazed at how beautiful and how unique the country feels. After two weeks of feeling like you are on vacation, you start to really see the differences in the American and in the European lifestyle. Culture...
by A. Gruchala | Jul 17, 2023 | Engineering, Europe, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
I’ve now been back in the United States for just over two weeks. It’s definitely felt like a lot longer. The culture change has been an adjustment. In Poland, it’s custom to say ‘do widzenia’ (goodbye/see you later) when you leave any...
by Aundrianna T | Jul 17, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Today marks 45 days since I’ve arrived in Rome, Italy so without further ado let’s get right into the process of getting here and getting settled into my new home. Traveling to Rome with my mom and my best friend(Emma) was the most comforting thing ever. We left...
by Ashley M | Jul 17, 2023 | Europe, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Ireland, I’m coming back for you The realization of coming back to the United States was a lot harder than expected and while it is said to be common for there to be more of a culture shock when coming home, it’s difficult for a lot of reasons. Study...
by Piper | Jul 17, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Exchange, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester
After spending 5 months abroad in Germany, I am finally done with my travels and settled back home. My time abroad felt so short, and I already miss it and all the people I got to know. It honestly feels almost surreal to be back, from remembering I don’t have to pay...
by Julia S | Jul 17, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Commerce & Business, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate
Now that my time has Spain comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on my semester abroad in Sevilla. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to call this place home over the last several months. Although I’m excited to be home with my family and friends,...
by Ciera C | Jul 17, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Australia/New Zealand, Commerce & Business, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
I’ve been home for a week and it is not what I was expecting. It feels weird to be home and I definitely miss Australia and the friends I made while abroad. The reverse culture shock was expected, but not in the way that I have been experiencing. Attitudes and...
by Natalia A | Jul 14, 2023 | By College, Duration, Europe, Internship, Program Type, Region, Semester, Social Work
The buildup to my trip to Spain felt sudden. To be honest, it felt surreal. Getting on the plane to make my way to Murcia, it felt as though I was simply traveling to a different place within the United States rather than a completely different country on another...
by Dawson W | Jul 3, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Asia, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
After I finished my classes in Japan, I spent a week with a friend (pictured above) and her mom. Afterward I went to Europe and spent a few weeks taking trains to different friends I have made over the years; it was a fun experience. But, by the end of it, I was...
by Bridget H | Jun 30, 2023 | By College, Community Health Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
I am nearing the end of my my study abroad program in Paris. A lot of people told me that I overpacked since I brought two big suitcases and two carry ons, and I don’t think I did at all. Maybe in some instances yes, but overall no. However, there were a few things I...
by Piper | Jun 22, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Exchange, Human Environmental Sciences, Semester
As the semester is winding down to an end here in Germany, the semester back in Alabama is already finished. While it does make me long for the fast-approaching summer- it also means that I can see some old Alabama friends here in Europe! Being a part of the German...
by Matthew C | Jun 22, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
My time in Spain was defined by a single mantra. I told myself: “I’m not in Spain to be a student. I’m a student so I can be in Spain.” Those two sentences shaped my study abroad experience, guiding daily decisions. Two examples: First,...
by Barek B. | Jun 16, 2023 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
by Margaret J | Jun 16, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Exchange, Semester, _
by Laura N | Jun 15, 2023 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
I have been in Paris, France for two weeks and absolutely loving it! I am staying in a homestay and the family is so kind. They are teaching me about the French culture and providing me with so many amazing French meals! I was so shocked the first day when she kept...
by Maya S | Jun 14, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Everyone talks about culture shock when you first arrive in a new country; however, culture shock when you return home is also very real. No matter if you are really excited to return or a little sad, home will feel different after your new experience. Studying abroad...
by Maya S | Jun 14, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
Everybody told me that there would be some homesickness when I first arrived to study abroad, but I didn’t fully understand how it would feel until I arrived. Having already gone 15 hours from home for school I thought I would be completely fine, but being alone in a...
by Matthew C | Jun 9, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
I left the United States eager for my study abroad experience. This is my chance to try something new, I thought. I couldn’t wait to leave behind my American life, not because it was bad, but because it was familiar. There’s an excitement—an exhilaration, even—in...
by Noah J | Jun 9, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Semester, _
Our last destination in Belize was a resort called Blue Marlin in the north of the country. We lived just a few minutes away from the second largest barrier reef in the world— every day we would spend hours exploring mazes of coral, marveling at all the...
by Noah J | Jun 9, 2023 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Honors College, Semester, _
In between traveling to tropical islands during our Rainforest & Reefs trip in Belize, we stopped by ancient Mayan ruins in the middle of the jungle to learn about the country’s rich cultural history. Thousands of Mayan peoples still live in the region...
