For my study abroad program, we were required to keep a thesis journal. This journal included a multitude of things including recipes, reflections, responses and impressions, facts, pictures, schedules, and MUCH more. Even though it was a required assignment, I began to appreciate how it let me document every aspect of my program. Following is…
Having spent my entire life in small-town Alabama, I had plenty of exposure to the sort of things that people typically associate with southern culture. I grew up hunting, fishing, eating fried okra and grits—you name it. The cousins and family I knew all spoke with Southern accents, and embraced the slower laid-back pace…
During my four years at Auburn, I have had several opportunities to gain international experience by studying and volunteering abroad. I studied abroad in what I think are two pivotal moments of my college career: once during the summer after my freshman year and once during the first semester of my senior year. I also…
As a sophomore in high school, I knew that I wanted to become fluent in Spanish and to study abroad during my undergraduate career. Auburn provided me with both of these opportunities, and I chose to spend the Spring semester of my Junior year in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. I lived with a host family that could…
Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, I knew I would want to spend time abroad someday. I was always curious about other countries, cultures and languages. I was ready to get out of my comfort zone and travel the world. I spent five weeks with Auburn’s Summer Program in Vienna, Austria. I had my language and…
“It only ends once. Anything before that is just progress” It was not until the fifth day that I woke in my flat and I truly understood what I had gotten myself into. During the spring semester of 2013 I had the opportunity to study and intern abroad in London, England. During the entire pre-departure…
When I was in high school, I got a Sunmaid Raisins box with the advice (apparently raisins are the new fortune cookies), “Stay curious and you will travel to the ends of the Earth.” I posted this quote on the top corner of my computer screen where I could see it every day. Then Spring…
My experiences in Japan were the most amazing and eye opening experiences I have had in my life to date. Although most people prefer to travel with friends to another country, I traveled alone on the Nihon University Exchange program. It may sound scary and perhaps unwise when you think about it, but it allows…
The four weeks I spent in Taormina, Italy were undoubtedly some of the absolute best of my life. Studying in the beachfront town on the gorgeous, culturally rich island of Sicily was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and the time I spent there passed entirely too quickly. Adapting to the laid-back Sicilian lifestyle was…
My love of travel started when I was very young. Coming to Auburn, the question for me wasn’t whether I wanted to study abroad or not, it was where should I go to study? I searched on and off for a program that combined my want to learn about a new culture and my desire…