After months of anticipation, I have finally arrived in Barcelona! I have always wanted to study abroad, so being in Spain has felt like a dream come true. I am still pinching myself when I think about the fact that I get to be in this beautiful country for five more weeks! I came into this trip with few expectations…I have been to Europe twice before with my family when we visited Switzerland and France, which are two countries that look very different. Switzerland has beautiful mountains and lakes, while France has unique architecture and remote beaches. I expected Spain to feel different than Switzerland and France, however, it reminds me of France with the bustling streets, the public transportation systems, cafes on every street corner, and tall, beautiful buildings.
One thing I have loved about being in Barcelona is integrating into the European culture. My roommates and I have already embraced the slower pace of life in Spain. On Tuesday, we walked to a quaint neighborhood behind our apartment on Diagonal Street and found a tapas restaurant with outdoor seating. We ordered traditional Spanish tapas such as bread with tomato spread, sliced ham, and fried cheese croquets. After we finished our meal around 3pm, we lingered at our table until 5pm, which we would never do in the states! There is something so refreshing and restful about enjoying a delicious meal on the porch of a quaint restaurant and chatting with your friends. We have also adapted to the late mealtimes, eating lunch around 2pm and eating dinner around 9pm. Even in the few days that we have been here, we have tried to immerse ourselves in the culture by eating traditional Spanish meals such as empanadas, tapas, fresh seafood, and of course, gelato!
There are other aspects of Spanish culture that have been surprising and interesting to us. For instance, not many Spaniards work out! However, they are constantly walking from place to place, which helps them stay active. Take-out is also unusual in Spain, which just goes to show how much more fast-paced our culture is in the United States. Even the attire in Spain is unique and different compared to what we wear on a daily basis in the U.S. People in Barcelona wear nicer clothing such as casual dresses and linen shorts and blouses, whereas most young adults in the U.S. wear athleisure.
It is a bit overwhelming but extremely exciting to think about the fact that we will be here for 4 more weeks. I have learned so much and been exposed to so many new things over the past 4 days, so it is hard to imagine how much more I will learn during the rest of my time here. Taking the metro to class in the morning and grabbing a croissant and latte during our break already feels normal, and I am excited to continue settling into a routine. My friends and I have also planned a few day trips and weekend trips so that we can see as much of this beautiful country as we can in our few short weeks. I keep telling myself that I will be here for so long, but I know that in the blink of an eye, it will be over. This is an experience that I will look back on for the rest of my life and I want to soak up every moment!