The five weeks I spent studying abroad in Spain can be equated with memories to last a lifetime. This trip was unique from my past experiences in foreign countries, given that I had the opportunity to share adventures with twenty-nine fellow Aggies, complete two international courses, and freely travel between regions of Spain. Barcelona, Roses, Cadaqu?s, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid, Toledo, Girona, Tossa de Mar, Granada, Malaga, Seville, Tarragona, and Sitges were among the beautiful Spanish cities I visited. Immersing myself in the Spanish way of life for an extended period enabled me to develop personally and professionally. Upon arrival in Spain, I could have never imagined that my comprehension of Spanish culture, politics, and business environment would attain the level today.??
I anticipated what my study abroad experience would entail; however, nothing could have truly prepared me for the exposure to new histories and ideologies I ultimately encountered. The language and prominence of confined spaces were among the barriers I faced at the beginning of the trip. From those challenges, I learned that I am capable of adapting to diverse situations. I was surprised to find that the overwhelming majority of Barcelona?s residents are fully bilingual, meaning they switch from Spanish to Catalan with ease. Taking a Spanish language course for three years in high school equipped me with a few basic phrases to communicate with locals in Spanish. I realized that the proper way to translate words from English to Spanish and Catalan differs, making it challenging to decide when to incorporate my vocabulary. For instance, in Spanish, ?adi?s? is used to say ?bye,? whereas Catalans commonly state ?ad?u? instead. Now nearing the final day of our trip, I can more comfortably convey simple messages.?
When I arrived in Barcelona, my home base city for the trip, I discovered that Spain has one of the highest percentages of flat residents in Europe. Together with three other girls, I lived in a quaint apartment near La Sagrada Fam?lia, the world-famous Roman Catholic Basilica designed by Antoni Gaud?. The limited space of the apartment, a significant downsize from what we are used to in Texas, presented obstacles. Managing to share a room, a study space, a small kitchen, and a bathroom for five weeks resulted in us establishing lifelong friendships. Our proximity to the metro station resulted in us relying heavily on public transit to commute between neighborhoods in Barcelona. My roommates and I began each day observing interactions between individuals of all different professions and backgrounds as we traveled to class. I discerned that professionals in Spain typically work from 9 AM until 2 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM. This schedule is much different than America?s because there is time allocated for a ?siesta? during those in-between hours. Similar to this idea of ensuring employees get ample time to rest that they deserve, August is considered a ?holiday? in Spain. Consistent with these customs, I can conclude that ambiguous situations cause stress, quality of life presides over competitiveness, and teamwork is ordinary within the workplace. Company site tours and business visits during my stay in Spain facilitated experiences to contrast the business environment from the United States. As I prepare to become a Certified Public Accountant, I will reference these generalizations to determine how to balance my personal and professional life.?
The laid-back lifestyle is an element of Spanish culture that I greatly admired. Particularly during meals, I found it enjoyable to take my time embracing my company and the Spanish cuisine. The lengthy meals, often extending over three hours, compared to meals I have shared with my family in Greece. The close relationships formed and the deep interactions exchanged while sitting around a table with a large group resulted in priceless moments. When I return to the United States, I will strive to pair a Mediterranean diet with regular activity. Walking an average of seven miles per day without feeling fatigued allowed me to comprehend the health benefits associated with mobility. Considering that the average age of death in Spain is higher than in the United States, I should permanently implement these Spanish habits into my daily routine.?
As an individual who appreciates learning about my heritage, I perceived the cultural traditions within the Catalonia region of Spain to be fascinating. To my amazement, many of the traditions still practiced today originated centuries ago. Religion and politics play a significant role in these rituals, confirming their deep tie to Catalonian pride. Sant Jordi is a festive occasion represented by books and roses to celebrate the feast day of St. George, the patron saint of Catalonia. The majority of residents in Barcelona identify with Catholicism, so this is a religious celebration anticipated each year. Magnificent churches throughout Spain imply that Spanish culture incorporates religion. In many cities, including Granada, it was apparent that Christians, Jews, and Muslims have coexisted for centuries. Diada Nacional, also known as the National Day of Catalonia, involves political parties and institutions making offerings to monuments of Catalans who previously fought for independence from Spain. In addition to this holiday, the Catalan flag hanging from balconies in Barcelona symbolizes Catalan nationalism. Having acknowledged these cultural attributes, I was better able to recognize how Spaniards reflect their priorities through their actions.?
Discovering how people spend their time in Spain encouraged me to evaluate whether I live my life to the fullest. At the beginning of the trip, I made it my goal to get out of my comfort zone. Traveling to different regions of the country each weekend enabled me to be adventurous. I can confidently say I seized the opportunity to travel with my classmates. Manchego cheese tasting, attending a flamenco show, jumping off of a catamaran into the Mediterranean Sea, riding scooters for countless hours through the streets of Seville, and cleaning the squid for a seafood paella were some of the highlights of this trip. I took on the responsibility of booking transportation tickets, reserving places to stay, seeking restaurants, and navigating my group of friends in the cities we visited. As a result, I have developed as a leader, obtained the knowledge needed to pursue a Certificate in International Business at Mays Business School, and am inspired to travel abroad again in the near future.