I?m so sad to be leaving Barcelona in a few short days! This has been a fantastic experience, and one I will cherish forever. I?ve made many new friends, tried many new foods, and traveled to multiple new cities. I?ve enjoyed the long weekends and definitely took advantage of them. I visited Costa Brava first, where I got to snorkel and kayak along the coast and enjoy some time in the sun. I also took a weekend trip with a couple of friends to Vienna, Austria and we had an amazing time. The food was absolutely amazing and the weather was gorgeous as well.
Another great part of this study abroad has been the company visits and cultural excursions. We visited Sagrada Familia, toured the Damm Brewery, a Cava Winery, and took a cooking class, just to name a few. We also took a trip to Madrid where we visited a tapestry manufacturer, took a day trip to Toledo, and toured the Prado Museum. There is so much learning that can be done outside of the classroom, and this trip was a testament to that.
There are so many things to be learned from the Spanish culture. They prioritize relationships and spending time together rather than trying to cram as many activities and tasks as possible into a single day. They live at a slower pace than we do, and meals often take 2-3 hours. There?s less urgency in the air and the while Barcelona is still a big city, it feels calm. You don?t realize how fast you move on a regular basis until you?re forced to slow down. I?ve learned a lot about myself over this month of living in Spain and I?m so grateful for this opportunity. International business wasn?t something that I had really considered, but I think that it would be a really cool experience! I would love to take a rotation in another country for a few years, or maybe help a corporation expand internationally. I would highly suggest participating in a study abroad program! It?s an experience that will last a lifetime!
