by Ruby R. | Jul 16, 2025 | Europe, Semester, UA-Affiliate, _
As my spring semester study abroad comes to an end, it is time to reflect on my overall experience and how this experience has shaped my life in ways I never thought it would. Having the opportunity to study abroad has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have...
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 Susannah C. | Jul 16, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
My time in Spain is passing so quickly, and I’m already entering week 3 of my four-week abroad program. This past week, I didn’t travel outside of Barcelona like I did last weekend. Instead, I focused on being a “tourist” and visiting several popular...
by Katie M. | Jul 16, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, South America, Summer
Before studying abroad, you are told to expect culture shock. It is an inevitable part of traveling. As I settled into my first two weeks in Colombia, I found that adapting to a new culture has two faces: disorientation and wonderment. First, disorientation. The...
by Beth K. | Jul 16, 2025 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
If you had asked me last year if I would like to go hiking on a fjord in Norway, I would look at you like you were insane. First of all, I had never hiked before; I...
by Kathryn V. | Jul 14, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
My time overseas has come to an end, but the lessons I have learned and the memories I have made will stick with me for a lifetime. Here are some of my tips to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Make friends in your group, but don’t be afraid to do some...
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 Susannah C. | Jul 14, 2025 | Commerce & Business, Europe, Summer, UA-Affiliate
I can’t believe I have been living in Spain for over a week now! I arrived in Barcelona on a Thursday, and I spent the weekend sightseeing, settling in, and getting to know my roommates. Over the weekend, my study abroad program, CEA CAPA, hosted a scavenger hunt...
by Amelia W. | Jul 14, 2025 | Africa, Summer, _
One of the main languages spoken in Benin, Africa is Fon and another commonly spoken language here is french. I personally am fluent in french and hearing Fon has confused me since some words sound completely different and some are the exact same. This has lead to me...
by Lucy D. | Jul 10, 2025 | Europe, Faculty-Led, Social Work, Summer, _
Hi! I am currently studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. I am taking 2 Spanish classes to go towards my minor. This is my first time being away from the United States and it has been a great experience. I have really enjoyed being able to immerse myself into the Spanish...
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 Maya B. | Jul 10, 2025 | Europe, Human Environmental Sciences, Summer, UA-Affiliate, _
I just finished my first summer term studying fashion and sustainability in Florence, and it was absolutely incredible. What I thought was just a class, has translated to every part of the way I live my daily life here. I live with three awesome roommates in a very...
by Makiya H. | Jul 10, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
As my four-week study abroad experience in Benin, Africa comes to an end, I’m filled with mixed emotions like gratitude, nostalgia, and a little bit of sadness. The first week was a whirlwind of excursions, where we immersed ourselves in the culture, history, and the...
by Makiya H. | Jul 10, 2025 | Africa, Arts & Sciences, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I have been in Benin, Africa, for one week, and I have already learned a great deal. We have started to explore African culture, religion, and economic development by visiting Ganvié, the “Venice of Africa,” Ouidah and all of its historic sites, Porto...
by Olivia D. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
While the French are famously known for their bread, many of their other food customs remain far less familiar… When I was in France, I lived with a host family who only spoke French. My host mother was very traditional, so our eating customs were far removed...
by Olivia D. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
KODAK Digital Still Camera – Olivia Declercq While studying abroad and taking classes in France has been AMAZING, one of my favorite aspects of studying in Tours, France has been the easy access to living French History. The Loire Valley has over 100 castles...
by Olivia D. | Jul 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Europe, Faculty-Led, Summer
France-Bound: My First International Adventure! Tomorrow is the day! For the very first time, I’ll be leaving the United States, and the anticipation is absolutely electric. I’m embarking on a five-week study abroad program in France, where I’ll be...
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...
