In signing up for this program, I had high expectations of learning about Spanish culture and European business both inside and outside of the classroom. I chose this program knowing it is faculty-led, hoping that we would participate in meaningful excursions and company visits that would facilitate the learning and experiences I hoped to gain.
In my first days in Spain, I experienced both a cultural shift and an adjustment in educational expectations. As to culture, Barcelona is a city unlike any I have visited. It is simultaneously fast and slow, with people constantly moving and an excess of stimulation. However, the pace of life, in general, has proven different. Shops close in the middle of the day and meals are taken in a leisurely fashion. Dinner and lunch are late, and they span hours for many Spaniards. As an American used to eating dinner around 5:30 PM, this is a major shift for me. Other aspects of the city, on the other hand, are similar to those I have previously experienced The metro seems similar to most other public transportation I have taken, and the busy shops near the water are akin to those in any large city. The other experience that comes to mind is a newfound excitement regarding coursework. Coming off of a Summer I session, I was slightly dreading the prospect of taking courses again. However, I had forgotten how much I enjoy learning about history and different cultures. The collision of these subjects with business proves especially intriguing. I found my first experience in my Spanish professor?s class incredibly engaging, and I am excited to reflect on the amount I have learned upon completion of the course.