Grae Adair in South Africa
Alex Chandler, Blaire Cunnane, Amanda Schott and Jacqui Walker in Italy
Here at The University of Alabama we thrive on excellence of
oneself and as a community as a whole. A handful of Alpha Phis took the opportunity
to better different communities off of The Capstones campus by traveling and
studying abroad during the summer semester. These ladies got to embark on an
adventure that they will remember for the rest of their lives!
Vice President of Member Education, Grae Adair, traveled to
Capetown, South Africa to explore the unknown and complete credit hours for her public
relations major. She chose Africa, “because I wanted to explore somewhere new
and different than what the normal study abroad experience is (which is
Europe). I felt like Africa is somewhere I probably would not have the chance
to go to anytime,” Grae commented. Global Lead ran her study abroad program; Global Lead is an
organization that students from multiple different universities can use when
they travel abroad. “Global lead is probably the only study abroad program I
would recommend,” Grae stated, “it has all the components of different study
abroad programs put into one and you really get the most out of the trip
because you have the opportunity to do so many amazing things.” She described her trip to be shockingly
eye opening and helping her reflect on her plans for the future and learning
more about herself along the way!
Grae wasn’t the only Alpha Phi who had an unbelievable
experience; Jacqui Walker, interior design major, chose Florence, Italy and was
in shock at how she felt so at home there and was dreading leaving: “It was
almost impossible to say goodbye. I really fell in love with every part of the
Italian culture.” Jacqui commented on how she had learned so much in the past
years about different churches and artists and, “to see the actual piece or
building I studied was unreal.”
There were other Alpha Phis in Italy too! Amanda Schott
(Vice President of Campus Relations), Alex Chandler and Blaire Cunnane all
joined Jacqui on her adventure as well! Blaire Cunnane talked about their
rigorous schedule of classes from 9:30 to 1:30 Monday through Thursday and on
the weekends the students would get to travel to different cities in Italy. “We
visited Milan, Rome, Venice, Sienna, Pisa, Greve, Chianti, Tuscany, the island
of Elba and Cinque Terre,” Blaire stated. While all the cities were a new
journey each time, Blaire said, “I wouldn’t have wanted to study in any city
other than Florence, there was so much to do there!”
Each of the girls got to explore different cities in each
country and every girl highly recommends taking advantage of the study abroad
programs offered at The University of Alabama and at other universities across
the country! We’re so happy our sisters made it home safe and ready to take on
another year at UA!
