Week three in Spain marked yet another educational, eye opening, and fun week. This was also our last week of classes, and we learned about trade strategy and barriers to trade. We learned the theories, concepts, and goals behind these different trade strategies and barriers. It was extremely helpful to learn this material, as trade barriers are often the subject of current events. I was able to make sense of political moves that I did not previously understand and gain a better understanding of the complexities of international trade. I also learned more about the structure of the EU and learned to evaluate certain economic conditions of the EU using equations and graphs. I wrapped up my classroom?experience with a presentation, quiz, and final this week. Learning about international business and the economics of the EU has been extremely rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed both classes and better understand the business environment around me and can say that my knowledge of business as a whole has drastically increased by gaining an understanding of business beyond the United States. I have found the subjects of international business and EU economics very interesting and hope to continue learning about these subjects in the future.
In addition to classes, we visited Park Guell and the Port of Barcelona as a group. Exploring Park Guell, I was able to further learn about Gaudi?s influence and impact on Catalonia. His designs continue to inspire people by his cutting-edge artistic features. I really enjoy his implementation of nature into his work and his continuous efforts to glorify God through his architecture. Furthermore, the visit to the Port Authority was fascinating. We heard a lecture on how the port operates and the frameworks and standards that govern the culture and mission of the port. It was neat to see that the Port is not solely focused on profit, but also strives to contribute to the economy of Barcelona by creating jobs. They are also working to be economically friendly. Furthermore, we got a boat tour of the port and saw the operations of the port in person. It very interesting to watch the supply chain that has been mastered. In addition to these visits, I enjoyed eating at new restaurants and further exploring Barcelona with friends this week
On Friday, we took a high-speed train to Madrid and have spent the weekend in the city. Madrid has been incredible, and we have visited the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Parque del Retiro, and the El Prada Museum so far. I have enjoyed experiencing the culture of Madrid and how it compares to Barcelona. Madrid feels very organized, put together, and well kept. It is also a business center, and you can tell that is a very powerful and influential city. The city is thriving with daytime events, great restaurants, and exciting nightlife. I have really enjoyed my time in Madrid and have appreciating experiencing the different feels and cultures that come along with each Spanish city I visit.
With the next two weeks of freedom ahead, I am looking forward to spending days on the beach in Barcelona and exploring the different quarters of the city. We also plan on taking exciting day trips around the area, continuing to explore Catalonian and the rest of Spain. With two weeks left on the trip, I plan on wasting no time and fully committing to learning and seeing as much as I can.