My first week in Barcelona has been nothing short of incredible. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I could feel the city’s energy, it’s vibrant, colorful, and full of life. There’s music in the streets, incredible food around every corner, and people who seem to truly enjoy the moment. What I love most is that even with all the movement and excitement, life here isn’t rushed. Coming from the U.S., where everything feels fast-paced and always on a schedule, it’s refreshing to be somewhere that embraces a slower, more intentional rhythm. Even if that means eating dinner at 9 PM.
One of my favorite aspects of life here so far has been the prevalence of beaches, whether it be participating in a beach volleyball workshop with the program or sunbathing with my friends after class. The beaches in Barcelona are absolutely beautiful, golden sand, clear blue water, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. But what really stood out to me was how full of life they are. Every day, locals and tourists are out playing sports, sunbathing, walking, or just enjoying time with friends. It’s such a joyful and common part of daily life here, which I think is a beautiful thing in such a big city.
Through the global business program, we’ve also begun our studies on European integration and international business, which has been fascinating, especially as we explore it in real time. Visiting Coleo, a sustainable clothing waste company, opened my eyes to how seriously European companies take environmental and social responsibility.
We’ve also explored Montjuïc, the Olympic arena, Castle de Montjuïc, and in my free time, Park Güell. These were all as historically inspiring as they were beautiful.
Through the rest of my month here, I hope to see more of what makes Barcelona such a unique city and explore like the locals do. I also am practicing my Spanish as much as I can and I hope this experience allows me to come home feeling more confident in my skills. I am so grateful to be in Spain this summer and am looking forward to diving deeper into this beautiful culture!
