As our second full week in Spain comes to a close, I am reflecting on all the lifetime memories already made on this trip, and I am thankful for the incredible experiences I have had so far and excited for the ones to come. This past week brought about new experiences featuring a visit to Montjuic, a company tour of Moritz, a Catalonian Independence lecture, and a weekend trip to Majorca. We also continued our classroom studies of International Business and the Economics of the EU. The study abroad model of spending time in the classroom, then experiencing Spain for ourselves in person continues to maximize deep learning and understanding of Spain.
?Each experience of the week brought about new insights that gave me a better understanding of the culture around me. First, the visit to Montjuic included stops at the Olympic Village, the National Palace, and the Montjuic Castle. The National Palace provided an incredible view of the city and we learned about some of the defining artwork that is hosted in the building. Furthermore, it was so interesting to see the Olympic Village, the facilities built to host the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Finally, we reached Montjuic Castle and learned about the rich history of this landmark. It was built by native Catalonians in the early Middle Ages and was later used as a fortress of Catalonia and then of the Spanish during the Spanish War of Succession. Later in the week, we heard a lecture on Catalonian Independence and learned more about the movement. This talk caused me to understand better the Catalonian?s unique history, culture, economic situation, and political dynamic. On Thursday, during our visit to Moritz Brewery, I learned about the longstanding history of the company and more about the brewing process. Finally, on my weekend trip to Majorca, I enjoyed the beautiful beaches of the island and got to explore the city and see Palma?s cathedral. In addition to these events, I also thoroughly enjoyed my classes this week. In Dr. In Panina’s class, I learned about different international trade theories and how they explain the flow of international trade. We also learned about the BOP accounting system and the history of the International Monetary System and how it operates today. Furthermore, in Professor Gundin?s class, we learned about the functions of the Euro and the economics behind creating a common European currency. This united European countries, allowing them to combine forces to expand their global influence. We also learned about Spain’s recent economic lagging and how it is related to productivity. Once again, my time in the classroom proved beneficial and I was able to take away a great deal about the economic system here and how worldwide trade operates.
As the trip progresses, I am also learning about myself. I have been able to have an open mind and take in the culture and information around me, enhancing my interest to learn more about other countries. I would say that while my worldview and core beliefs have not changed, this experience has enhanced and broadened my vision, allowing me to relate to and understand more people and their opinions. I have realized how much the environment you live in shapes your views and outlook on life, and that to truly understand people, you must look for their context. I also continued to push my comfort zone by living in a foreign country and adapting to the Spanish culture and am excited to continue growing throughout the next three weeks.