Our time here in Barcelona, Spain has flown by so fast that it is hard to believe that we have already been here for a little over a week! With that, it feels like we have been non-stop, on the go since we landed on July 9th. My roommates and I have managed to thoroughly explore the neighborhood surrounding the apartment we live in between late-night dinners, coffee runs, and trips to the supermarket. Personally, I can say that I have already fulfilled one of my goals, which was to become comfortable with navigating the metro on my own! (Only during the day, of course.) It gives me the flexibility to split up with my roommates after class in case we have different things we need to take care of or want to do.
In regards to our classes, being a student in the U.S. compared to being a student in Spain, this may have been the biggest culture shock to me- Although each of our two classes is 2 hours long, it is expected that we get a break in between each session, whether that is to grab a coffee, stretch or just chat with others for a bit before resuming class. The classroom culture here is different in a way that instead of “pushing” yourself to get through a lecture, they want to guarantee your attention by allowing you to refresh, return with a clear head and then be ready to learn more. I have enjoyed both classes very much, but especially because of the balance between the fast-paced environment and the much-appreciated breaks.
On top of that, Dr. Panina and Lynn Wallace have put together a thorough itinerary that is jam-packed with incredible excursions and tours around the hotspots of Barcelona and its surrounding areas. In particular, the Sagrada Familia basilica we visited was incredibly beautiful. Its immense stature made me think of a fairytale and at first sight, made me think it was fake. The works of Gaudi were mesmerizing and unlike any church I had ever seen before.