Summer 2025 study-abroad scenes shared by students at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) include sophomore Jill O’Linger, left, immersing herself in the culture of Japan, and graduate student Karlie Sikorski, taking in the sights in the Netherlands.
Courtesy Jill O’Linger and Karlie Sikorski
Camille Gibbs, a junior English major at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), has embarked on a quest. This semester she’s attending the University of Worcester in England through the Magellan Exchange program, one of many horizon-expanding opportunities offered to UAH students through the Office of Study Abroad in the Office of International Services (OIS). UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.
One day, perhaps, a new friend she meets, a town she visits for the first time or a fresh perspective she gains on this trip will appear in some form on a TV or theater screen near you. Gibbs dreams of becoming a screenwriter, and she expects to gather impressions during these transformative weeks.
UAH students eager to experience the world beyond our borders can learn about options and applications during the Study Abroad Fair on Friday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Charger Union Lawn. The fair is part of the OIS “World Fair”-themed International Week celebration, Sept. 8-12 on the UAH campus.
The Study Abroad Fair will be hard to miss, says Gianna Hudson, UAH study abroad coordinator. Just look for the giant inflatable globe. Along with program information and encouragement, there’ll be festive food, fun and gifts.
UAH students can study abroad through faculty-led courses, exchange programs with UAH-partner universities and affiliate programs of third-party providers partnering with UAH. There are also study abroad opportunities, including the Critical Language Scholarship program, among more competitive scholarship, fellowship and internship programs.
Gibbs chose the Magellan Exchange program, she said, “because tuition is the same price as your home university (UAH). It’s great for students who ordinarily would not have the means financially to fulfill their dreams of studying abroad. The application process is very easy.”
Gibbs begins her exchange journey with high expectations. Based on stories from fellow UAH students who recently returned from summer 2025 excursions, she should have a great time.
Jill O’Linger, a sophomore with a double major in management and marketing, studied abroad in Japan through the CIS Abroad program, one of the UAH affiliates.
“I loved getting to immerse myself in Tokyo like a local. Since I was there for over a month, I experienced what daily life as a commuter was like, and it was unlike anything I’d ever known before. I loved how easy it was to hop on a train and be at an amazing new place within minutes.”
Karlie Sikorski, an information systems graduate student with a specialization in UX design and human factors, stopped in Ireland, Scotland, Paris, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium during her Magellan program. She collected memories to cherish – from dancing the night away at the Parisian jazz club featured in the movie “La La Land” to learning about the U.S. soldiers from World War II interred at the Netherlands American Cemetery in the village of Margraten.
“Our professor told us how the soldiers became friends and even part of the families that lived there, so it was devastating for the locals when the soldiers died in battle defending them. Each family in the village has adopted a soldier’s grave. They care for it, and that duty is passed down through the generations. There is a list of about 70 people who are waiting for the chance to adopt a soldier and show their gratitude.”
Molly Barnett, a senior psychology major with a biology minor, studied in Granada, Spain, with the AIFS Abroad program. She also visited the Spanish cities of Sevilla and Córdoba as well as several cities in Morocco.
“My favorite part of studying abroad was getting to experience the Spanish lifestyle every day and practice my Spanish with my host family and people in the community. I met so many great people and visited many cool places!”
People were also the best part of the AIFS program in Berlin, Germany, for Rand Shiekhtholth, a junior double-major in political science and English on the pre-law track.
“One of my favorite experiences I had whilst studying abroad was forming connections with people across the world through my classes and exploring new places with them.”
For more information about UAH study abroad programs, email studyabroad@uah.edu or call 256-824-6055. For details on scholarships, fellowships and internships, abroad and at home, contact Jennifer Staton, senior fellowship and graduate school advisor, at jennifer.staton@uah.edu.