My first week in Barcelona will definitely be one that I will remember for a long time. It was a fantastic week where I got to experience the city, learn about the culture, and grow closer with my classmates on the trip. It was a great balance of work and play, where I was able to get the satisfaction of learning and being productive, while also enjoying summertime in Barcelona. This was an action-packed week, full of adventure and fun. We started each day this week by attending class, and I learned from Dr. Panina and Professor Gundin about international business and about the economics of the EU. These classes helped me to put into context the experiences I am having in Spain. Learning about the process of international business and gaining a basic understanding of the many factors involved allowed me to appreciate things that I never would have thought of before. For example, I noticed that there are many Starbucks coffee shops here in Barcelona, and because of class, I thought about all the political, cultural, legal, and business differences that Starbucks must face in Spain compared to the United States. It is impressive that Starbucks and other businesses are able to adapt and operate so smoothly in places other than their home countries. Furthermore, learning about the background of the EU and the economics of the system allowed me to better understand the unity and cohesion that European countries have, and how this provides huge business and trade advantages.? After class, on Monday, we took a trip to FC Barcelona and got to tour the museum and spend time in the stands of the stadium. I loved learning about futbol in general and about the history of the team, as the sport is such a significant part of Barcelonian and Spanish culture. During the week, we also visited Casa Mila and the Barcelona Bunkers, two classic landmarks of the city. I was able to learn more about Gaudi and the impact of his architecture with the building tour and enjoyed a breathtaking view overlooking the city of Barcelona and the ocean at the Bunkers.
The weekend brought even more action, and we took a group day trip on Friday, visiting Montserrat Monastery and Freixenet?s winery. These locations had very different, but rich histories and gave me a better understanding of Catalonian culture and history. This trip was a wonderful time with my classmates, where we got to bond over experiences that are very different from what we can get in College Station, Texas. Furthermore, on Saturday, I took a day trip with a few classmates to Cadaques, Spain, a tiny town on the Northern Spanish coast. Obviously, Barcelona has been incredible, but I have always wanted to visit a local beach town. It was unreal to explore the city, eat the local food, and relax in the beauty of the scene. It was such an ideal little town, and it was difficult to imagine people actually living in a place so different from modern city life.?
My first week in Barcelona was action-packed and educational. I can definitely say that I made the most of my time this week. I loved beginning the process of exploring all that Spain has to offer and learning by experience. I am excited for another great week ahead and am in the process of planning activities so I can continue to experience Spain and deepen my understanding of the culture.