Before going to Spain, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what life and business there would be like. I pictured it being somewhat like the U.S. with Spanish as the main language and some cultural differences. I also thought I understood Spanish culture from what my family told me and what I had seen in TV shows. But once I was actually there, I realized how much more there was to learn and how different it feels to experience it in person. One of the biggest things I learned was how important relationships are. In class with our Spanish professor and on company visits, people always took time to connect before talking about business. At first I was focused on efficiency, but I quickly saw that slowing down, listening, and building trust made things flow so much better. Catalan culture was something I knew almost nothing about before this trip. Visiting the Catalan Parliament, hearing from guest speakers, and even casual moments like when an elderly couple corrected me after I said Catalan seemed like Spanish made me realize how unique and deeply important their identity is. Those moments taught me to approach cultural differences with curiosity and respect, not assumptions. Language was another learning experience. Even though English was common in Barcelona, there were plenty of times I had to step up and speak Spanish such as navigating the metro during the first week, buying tickets, or ordering food for my friends. I was not always confident, but I learned that making the effort matters more than getting it perfect. This trip was so much more than classes in another country. It gave me confidence in the unknown, made me more open to different perspectives, and deepened my passion for working internationally. I came home feeling more curious, capable, and ready for whatever comes next.
