Wow! What a beautiful city Barcelona is. Spain has exceeded my expectations, and we have only been here a few days. From the kind welcome at the front desk of our dorm to the vibrant locals at the coffee shops by our school, the people in Barcelona surely make the place. I was very nervous to arrive in Barcelona because I did not know any one on my trip nor had I ever been to Spain. That being said, within a few days I am already accustomed to many of the people and places that make Spain feel like home. Dr. Panina and our trip coordinators have done an incredible job planning group activities to help us see a large portion of the city, and they have conducted group activities, such as beach volleyball, to introduce us to our classmates. It is funny how within just a few days, I can already tell many of my classmates (strangers a few days ago) are going to be lifelong friends. We have bonded over the newness of this city. Whether it’s stumbling across a delicious Spanish restaurant or struggling to find our way to a new location, my peers and I have gained so much respect for each other and this wonderful city. Even though my time in Barcelona is just beginning, I have made countless memories – my favorite being beach volleyball looking at the beautiful Catalan beach. I can already tell this experience is going to be nothing short of incredible, and I am excited to keep learning and growing as I see different parts of Barcelona with my fellow Mays classmates.
