The moment our plane touched down at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, my childhood dream of studying abroad became a reality. Witnessing other students traveling abroad, while visiting my family in Greece over the years, has provided a glimpse as to what my experiences in Spain will entail. The idea of immersing myself in a foreign country?s culture for an extended period of time is exhilarating, considering all the knowledge I am bound to gain over the five-week period. It is evident now that my time in Barcelona will be a period of personal growth, and I am most looking forward to sharing these memorable adventures with twenty-nine fellow Aggies.?
After just four days of being in Barcelona, I can happily say I am adjusting to the Catalan lifestyle quite well. Each day I have visited different areas of the diverse city, and my goal is to continue embracing the unique characteristics of each neighborhood. The day we arrived, my three roommates and I took time to settle into our quaint apartment near La Sagrada Fam?lia, the world-famous Roman Catholic Basilica designed by Antoni Gaud?. Shortly after, we received a tour of the nearby grocery store, metro station, restaurants, and bakeries to become more acquainted with our surroundings. To my surprise, the strict grid pattern of equally sized blocks in Barcelona simplifies navigation from one location to another. I also find it interesting that each building was carefully structured to receive enough natural light each day.
With a weekend at the beginning of our trip, we had the opportunity to explore much of the city prior to classes starting on Monday. A tour of La Sagrada Fam?lia taught me the significance of positioning Biblical figures strategically within each section of the architectural masterpiece. Additionally, I learned about Spain?s reliance on the site for the success of the nation?s tourism industry. Following this impactful cultural experience, a large group made our way to the area of Poblenou for a day at the beach. We came to the realization as we walked through the town that the slowed pace, as compared to the normal daytime activity, was likely due to the fact that the locals were taking a siesta following their midday meal. One of the most notable differences in cultures for me is this slower-paced way of life. I have truly enjoyed sitting around tables for hours at a time, talking to new friends, and trying new foods!
A scavenger hunt around the city on Sunday gave me a greater appreciation for all that the city has to offer. The basic historical knowledge I gained through the activity gave me a better perspective in regard to Spain?s position in global affairs. Similarly, on Monday I expanded my breadth of these ideologies when attending my first ?Getting to know the European Union? and ?International Environment of Business? courses. One of these courses is taught by a native Spanish professor, so I look forward to comparing the different teaching styles and grading schemes in the upcoming weeks. Additionally, my desire is to further identify how communication norms contribute to the differences in business done internationally.