It only took a few days to fall in love with Barcelona! It shocks me how much I have seen, learned, and experienced in such a short amount of time. Being in Barcelona this past weekend has already expanded my comfort zones tremendously. In the first 24 hours, I learned how to use public transportation, plan for an apartment with 4 other girls, and read a Barcelona map?all while meeting new faces and getting over jet lag. Although I have much more to learn about living in Barcelona, it has been amazing to see my growth in confidence and willingness to try new things. I have also learned the beauty of research and asking locals for their recommendations. Trying to speak with the locals has challenged my Spanish and my confidence in interacting with people who don’t communicate the same as I do. Even though I am rusty with my Spanish skills, I have gotten better at the common words and phrases in order to communicate the basics.
Before arriving in Barcelona, I knew little about the city other than stereotypes of tapas and flamenco dancers. In Spain, I have learned so much about the history and culture by simply exploring around with friends. I did not know that Barcelona was divided into such specific quarters each having its own personality and charm. This has been one of my favorite parts of exploring Barcelona. So far, each day we have ventured into a different quarter, experiencing the locally known restaurants, activities, and hotspots that the quarter prides itself in. I have especially loved our visits through the El Born area, the Gothic Quarter, the beach, and Gracia. Living near the Gracia area, I have been exposed to many quaint spots and Spanish locals. Although Yelp will always be an ally, using our curiosity to guide us throughout the city has been leading us to incredible and unforgettable spots.
I cannot believe that I get to experience this city for 4 more weeks. I hope to remember my clueless and overwhelmed first moments in Barcelona to compare them to how comfortable and at-home I feel at the end of our trip. Looking forward, I realize that 5 weeks is short. I hope to be intentional with my time and planning in order to see everything that I can while I am here. I am here to study, so I also aim to prioritize learning from my professors in lectures and by diligently doing my work. Being in Barcelona with some of my best friends has felt like a dream. Now that the reality is sinking in, I don?t want the trip to flash before my eyes. My roommates and I have mapped out each weekend with a new destination in Spain to see more of the country. We also have made a to-do list of things we want to do in Barcelona. Hopefully, we can make a dent in it, but exploring everything in this city may be a bigger bite than we could ever chew. This place is incre?ble. I hit my head on the pillow after every long day and can?t help but think to myself how grateful I am for this memorable experience.