A Story About Alabama (Learn English and About American Culture)

Leo was a college student from Brazil who was studying in the United States for one year. During his spring break, he decided to visit Alabama, a state in the southern part of the country. His professor had told him that Alabama had warm weather, beautiful nature, and important history. Leo wanted to see it for himself.

Leo started his trip in Huntsville, a city known for rockets and space science. He visited the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, where he saw real rockets from NASA. A guide explained that Alabama played a big role in sending the first American astronauts to the moon. Leo felt amazed standing next to such huge machines.

Next, Leo traveled south to Birmingham. He learned that the city was important during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. At the Civil Rights Institute, he saw photos and stories about people who fought for equal rights for everyone. The exhibits were emotional, but Leo felt inspired by the courage of the people he read about.

Later in the afternoon, Leo drove to Gulf Shores, a beach town in southern Alabama. The soft white sand and warm ocean water surprised him. He had always imagined Alabama as forests and farms, but he learned the state also has beautiful beaches. Leo enjoyed walking along the shore and listening to the waves.

Before going home, Leo stopped at a small restaurant where he tried fried catfish and sweet tea, two popular foods in Alabama. The sweet tea was very sugary, but Leo liked it.

As the sun set over the ocean, Leo thought about his day. Alabama was full of history, science, culture, and natural beauty. He felt thankful that he had taken the trip and knew he would remember it for a long time.