Howdy!
As I sit here and reflect on my first couple of days in Barcelona, I am, first and foremost, very thankful for air conditioning and free water at restaurants in the U.S. However, starting classes and attending our first firm visit was extremely eye-opening. Spain is absolutely beautiful, the walkability of the city, the ease of a metro system, and being surrounded by locals have made this experience amazing so far. Our first firm visit was to a textile waste management company, Coleo, where they recycle clothes and turn them into threads and fabrics for new clothes. We got to learn the behind-the-scenes of how they operate to keep up sustainability and help the environment. Barcelona is a city filled with tourists, something the locals are not very fond of. I was honestly a little scared coming here with the current events, but so far it has been nothing short of wonderful. I will say honestly, it takes time to adjust. Their food is delicious, but so much different than American food. Their laws protect the organicity of produce and the amount of fake sugars used in processed foods. I hope to keep immersing myself in the culture of Spain, more specifically, Catalan culture, which is prominent in Barcelona. I am going to continue learning about European integration, along with the economics of Spain, and continue enjoying the rest of my time in Barcelona. I want to gain more cultural insights and historical knowledge. The ability to learn about a culture outside of my own and try things I have never experienced before is something I have always dreamed of. Now, I get to experience it and truly live it out to the fullest. I cannot wait to see where the wind takes me and who I end up growing to be. I know this experience will change me, my outlook on life, and give me a newfound appreciation for the little moments.
Reagan Nicholl
