Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity to learn and grow, and I would recommend that anyone who can should not hesitate to sign up! On any study abroad, you will experience lots of new things and learn about a new place and a new culture. You will get outside of your comfort zone and grow as a person, and you will form lasting friendships with the people around you. This is an experience like no other, and definitely something I believe every person should do.
For anyone interested in a study abroad, I would highly recommend considering Barcelona as your destination! Spain has a lively and distinct culture that you cannot experience anywhere else. The country’s many regions each hold different traditions, languages, and common foods that create a wide range of different cultures to experience and learn about, all within a single country. During my month in Barcelona, I fell in love with the culture and way of life in this area of Spain. Barcelona has delicious traditional foods to try and beautiful art and architecture to see. Their people are so proud of their culture, language, and way of life, and this was a really cool thing to experience first hand. I learned so much during my time in Barcelona, I am so grateful for all the new experiences I had, and I would highly recommend it to anyone as a study abroad destination.
Another thing I loved about studying in Spain was that I got to experience first hand examples of what we were learning in the International Business class we were enrolled in during the trip. For example, one topic we covered in class was how businesses must adapt to the culture of a new country they want to do business in. A few days later, I walked by a Papa John’s and noticed that it was a sit down restaurant, whereas the one by my house is simply a place to walk in, pick up your pizza, and leave. Sometimes in the US, the purpose of a meal is just to eat as quickly as possible and move on to the next thing. Meals in Spain are typically more involved. It is a time to sit in the company of your family or friends and talk to them, and there is no rush to finish or leave. Understanding this aspect of the culture, Papa John’s made their establishment in Spain a place to sit and eat. This was an adaptation to a new culture that helped the company be successful in a new country. Taking this course in a different country allowed me to see real life examples of what we discussed in class, which really helped me understand and appreciate the content of the course. Studying abroad provided me with so many unique learning opportunities and a newfound love and appreciation for the culture of Barcelona.
