Upon arrival in Barcelona, I was extremely jet-lagged, but also extremely excited to be in the city. This is my first time crossing any ocean, so I had no clue what to expect. As we were attempting to stay awake, we completed a walking tour of the city and it was absolutely stunning. Over the weekend, we also did a scavenger hunt, so we got to see a lot of sights in the first few days of the program. We got to visit several local markets, famous buildings, including La Sagrada Familia and Casa Mila, and eat some authentic Spanish food.
Food is one of my favorite parts of the program so far. We have eaten at hole-in-the-wall restaurants that have been family-owned for generations. We have been to a few high-end restaurants that sell incredible tapas and croquettes. One thing that has been surprising to me is how restaurants do not give you complimentary water. You have to pay every time you want to quench your thirst, and there have not been many water fountains around the city.
Our first week of classes has been incredible at ESERP. I have loved learning about the European Union and how international business is conducted. Both of our professors do a great job not only teaching, but also investing in students on the trip. One point that has been made in the class is that in addition to the advantage of having open trade, members of the EU get exposed to so many different cultures and languages. While our size enables us to remain autonomous, the United States is considerably less immersed in world culture even with recent globalization.
During my time here, I want to experience a culture outside the one I was raised in. I am excited to work on my conversational Spanish and converse with people who live an ocean away from where I spent my whole life. To summarize, I hope to gain exposure. Exposure to different people, food, communities, churches, and language. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know the Mays students on this trip, and I look forward to strengthening those relationships and bringing them back to College Station.
