Studying abroad in Barcelona has been one of the best opportunities and experiences I?ve had during my time in college. The city of Barcelona has so much to offer and I really appreciated getting to learn here for two weeks. Although our trip was short, we made the most of it and experienced so many wonderful things related to Spanish culture, business, and cuisine. Business in Barcelona differs greatly from business in the United States, let alone Texas. One thing in particular that caught my attention was that there were not as many chain grocery stores or restaurants. Aside from the main strip of shopping, the majority of stores were smaller businesses or family businesses rather than major chains. The uniqueness of each store and restaurant added to Barcelona’s charm because the area didn’t feel to be over-commercialized like many parts of the United States.?
The second half of the trip included a day visiting the port authority to learn about the global supply chain, a visit to Freixenet to learn about their cava production, and touring BCN Activa, an entrepreneurship incubator in the city. After our multiple company visits I began to notice that the way that business is performed in Barcelona differs greatly from the United States. The employees at these companies are dedicated, intentional and really believe in the company they work for which makes the experience more enduring as a customer. Everyone seemed to carry themselves with a sense of pride and a lot of the smaller companies exist not for profit but because they want to share their passion with their community.
My time in Barcelona is something I will always cherish and I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn in and explore the city. The nuances of business in Spain are much different than the nuances of business in the United States and I really enjoyed getting to experience this firsthand.