Today marks the fifth day I have been in Spain with the Spain Business Study Abroad program, and I am absolutely in love with my experience. This is my first time experiencing a culture outside of America, and I’m noticing many small things: the clean and walkable streets, escalators without stairs, and the slower pace of life here. I am so thankful that I have a few more weeks here because I can take my time soaking in the sights and sounds without feeling the need to rush through everything that I want to see before going back home.
When first applying to the abroad program, I chose Spain because I didn’t know much about it. I wanted to jump in and learn everything by experiencing it rather than reading it in a textbook. I am thankful I made this decision because Spain is a much more beautiful country than I had ever expected. Barcelona is full of a variety of cultures, and I have noticed that every single metro stop has a different vibe on the streets, whether it be from the historical statues, the gothic architecture, green spaces, or industrial areas. I am saying “yes” to every opportunity I can get and have wandered narrow streets, visited tiny shops, attended a mass service, and found amazing restaurants because of this.
I hope to gain from this experience a new sense of adventure in my studies. As a student, I feel sometimes it is my laptop and I against the world to complete assignments and learn, but the classes are structured here so that we have time to learn the culture by living it and discussing the content that we are learning through our assigned readings. I want to get out on the streets to apply the content that I am learning and take back as many memories as I can. Studying each company before we visit it also sparks the adventurous side of my learning. Today, we presented on Coleo, a sustainable textile recycling company, before visiting their warehouse, and it made the visit much more special. I can learn the content, apply it, and then remember the key points that I will use in my future business experiences.
The US and Spain have some similarities, like the hustle in big areas and numerous restaurants and stores on every corner, but the biggest difference I have noticed is the speed of life. The US focuses so much on achievement and efficiency, while Spain has an appreciation for a slower life and enjoying the journey. The way this is shown the most is through eating tapas at restaurants. This is where you order smaller portions of dishes, similar to ordering a la carte in America, and you share with your friends while sipping on beer or wine, talking for two hours. This has been an adjustment, but it is something that I have grown to appreciate and soak in over the past few days.
I am so thankful for the planning and organizing that CIBS has done to get us here, and I am now able to experience all the wonderful things that are planned to give us the full Barcelona experience.
