UAH international business students' Romanian adventure

When Ryan Day and Mackay McTigrit students at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Business decided to spend their spring 2017 semester studying in Bucharest, Romania, they traded Huntsville’s sweet tea and barbeque for Bucharest’s socata (elderberry soft drink) and chiftele (large fried meatballs).

The two UAH students were part of a cohort of international students studying in the English Language program at the Romanian-American University. Their classmates were from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, and together, they studied business topics.

Although the academic program was demanding, Day and McTigrit found time to immerse themselves in their temporary home, exploring and engaging with the local culture. McTigrit spent much of his free time with friends hanging out in King Michael I Park, an expansive urban green area north of the city. He also toured medieval castles and traveled to the Black Sea for a music festival. Ryan enjoyed going for runs, perusing produce stands, and trying local restaurants.

They both came home with not only an appreciation for their Romanian experience, but also a greater motivation for academic success at UAH.

"When I returned, I got more involved in my fraternity and took my classes more seriously," said Day. "The experience helped clarify my priorities. My time in Romania helped give me a purpose." Day is a management student, a UAH College of Business Learning Community leader, and also a member of Alpha Tau Omega (ΑΤΩ) fraternity.

McTigrit, a native Tennessean and Akido enthusiast, studies accounting. He is also member of the ΑΤΩ, Japanese Culture Club, and a former ambassador for College of Business. For McTigrit, studying abroad was "eye-opening" and helped him see how his studies and career could continue to allow him to travel and see new cultures in the future.

When asked if they would encourage other students to study abroad, both said yes. "It’ll change your life," said Day.

UAH offers a number of study abroad options, from short-term faculty-led courses such as May-mesters, to semester and full academic year programs. Classes taken at Romanian-American University count towards degree completion at UAH, and the tuition and fees are the same as if spending the semester in Huntsville.

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