Upon arriving in Barcelona I was blown away by the differences in culture between America and Spain. The laid-back lifestyle of the Barcelona people, the culinary experience, the vibrant nightlife, and the mouth-dropping gothic architecture have remarkably transformed my perspective of Spain. While I have loved the Aggie community in the last two years of my academic career, I could only speculate as to how strong it could be once I was placed with 33 other Aggies in a foreign nation.
One of the first things I noticed in Barcelona was the speed shift that life moves in the city. From getting off the plane around noon, our group expected to go out and have a nice lunch for our first meal, however, we were surprised to find that we were the only ones in this particular lunch spot at the “American lunchtime”. This lunch and the multiple dinners that we have consumed in Spain have shifted by perspective of how the culture treats mealtime. Instead of eating to get full and then continuing on with the day, the Spaniards take these meal times as a chance to slow down and truly savor what is the present moment. While the slow service and extended meals would have infuriated me back home, I have grown to appreciate the relaxation and conversations I share with my classmates in the country. Even if you can’t come to appreciate the slower pace of the meals, the deliciousness of the Spain cuisine is well worth the wait. From trying paella to having all different kinds of tapas, I have found the Spanish foods to be some of the best I have ever had.
The Spanish culture does not only have an appreciation for culinary beauty but also architectural beauty. While walking around the city I was blown away by the gorgeous cathedrals and statues that are littered throughout Barcelona. This experience is far from any city I’ve been to in the United States and has caused me to appreciate the beauty of architecture at a much higher level.
The main thing I didn’t expect about this trip was how close all of the students would become within just one week. I feared that I wouldn’t have much in common with many of my classmates, however, I learned that when you are put in a place where everything around you is uncommon it creates a perfect environment for friendships to develop. I also place a lot of the blame for this bonding on the Aggie community and a share of common values among the students. I am excited to see what the next 3 weeks will bring for me and the rest of my now friends in the program.
