This Friday marked precisely a week since arriving in Barcelona, and it has been an absolute blast. I have done so much in only one week, and it is exciting to think about all that I can do during the rest of my time here. I would say that the theme of this first week has been all about learning and experiencing new things!
We started class this week and jumped right into the material on the first day since we only have a few weeks of instruction. I have enjoyed the structure of our class where we are in class for an hour and then have a thirty-minute break and then come back for another hour of the course. We repeat this twice because we have two classes back-to-back almost every day. In between our two classes, we have a lunch break where everyone explores the surrounding neighborhood, searching for a different lunch place every day. A group of us found the best coffee and sandwich shop! I was unsure of what to expect when it came to the content of the classes I am taking, but I have appreciated everything that I have learned so far. One course focuses on economics and business in the European Union, and our other class is all about doing business internationally. I have found everything that I have learned applicable for my future career and am thankful to have this kind of international learning exposure.
A few of our outings this week have also been learning experiences! I have officially learned how to navigate the metro and love the ease of getting around the city quickly. We toured Casa Mila, a unique building that stands out in the streets of Barcelona due to Gaudi’s distinct architectural designs. The building was an old apartment complex known for having some of the most modern architecture of its time, and it has one of the best views from the center of Barcelona. We also took a day trip to visit a famous Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat. This is one of Catalonia’s most famous religious sites due to the beautiful mountains surrounding the monastery and the gorgeous Basilica we had the privilege to spend time touring.
On our first night of school, all my roommates and I went on a hike to the Bunkers del Carmel to celebrate our first normal in-person class since COVID! It was a mile hike uphill to reach the top, but it was ultimately worth it once we saw the view. We were at one of the highest points in the whole city where you can see Barcelona from a complete 360-degree angle. We took a picnic and watched the sunset, and it was the perfect end to our first day of class. This week we have taken the opportunity to explore the different parts of Barcelona and get to know the city. I cannot believe that I get to live in this city for the next four weeks!