Four weeks later and my time in
Barcelona is almost over. It’s been a month of mistakes, friends, and memories.
I guess there was some studying in there too (more than I would have liked). I
did so many crazy things that I never could have done in the U.S. and learned
so much about myself. That sounds so cliché, but it’s true. I learned that I’m
not afraid to ask for what I want, I can navigate a metro like nobody’s
business, and there is no limit for the amount of gelato I can consume (coconut
and dulce de leche are my go to flavors). I know that moving forward these
experiences will affect my choices and actions. This trip has opened my eyes to
how different other cultures can be compared to the United States. I visited
Italy and Germany as well as spending a lot of free time in Spain and I can’t
believe everything I’ve learned from the experience.
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| Montserrat with my fabulous roommate, Casey |
In Europe in general, it seems that
time is not as important. I’ve always been very concerned with being on time
and judged people who weren’t. In the future I think I’ll realize that not everyone
values time like Americans do. For some, relationships and people are far more
important than being somewhere on the dot and I think there’s something to be
learned from that mentality. I’m not saying that I’ll stop being on time, but I
want to put more focus on the people around me in the future.
I know
that after my time here I will choose to be more assertive. While I was here I couldn’t
afford to be timid and unsure and had to jump in head first. Spaniards in
general seemed to get to the point and get there quickly. I’m going to take that
lesson back to the states. Too often I let people ask too much of me and I don’t
express how I really feel. I know now that I have to say no when I don’t want
to do something and be direct about what I do want.
I now
believe that Americans are too rushed. Being in the states I couldn’t see it as
much, but in Barcelona the pace of life is so much slower. The people here don’t
live to work and they enjoy more than Americans do. I saw people happily
sitting with coffee and croissants before work and thought how nice it would be
to live like that in the U.S. I believe that Americans (myself included) should
take a step back and see how much more there is to life than working hard and being
driven. Happiness can be just as important.
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| Crema Catalana |
I always
thought I was willing to try new things, but Barcelona brought out that side of
me in a whole new way. I tried things like pig’s feet and snails, hiking up the
side of a ridiculously steep mountain, and making Crema Catalana. When I get
home I’m going to try more, even when something seems completely strange.
Barcelona has taught me that some of the weird and ridiculous experiences can
also be the best. The next time I decide what to do on a Friday night, I’m
going to keep that in mind.
I know
now that in the future I can be successful. I’ve proven to myself that I can do
the things that seem impossible (exhibit A, learning the metro system within
the first few days when I thought I would be lost for the whole month). Going
forward, I’m not going to doubt myself. I’m going to realize that I am far more
capable than what I once believed. Barcelona taught me how to tackle a problem
head on (like being hit on by creepy men) and then go on with my life.
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| Munich |
Most of
all I’m going to come home and not sweat the small stuff. Little things went
wrong all the time while I was abroad. My group bought the wrong ticket in
Munich and was going to have to pay 60 euros a person, but we explained the situation
and got to the airport unscathed. I got lost in the gothic quarter for longer
than I want to admit once but eventually found the shop I was looking for (and
then got gelato). I got blisters on blisters when I overestimated the comfort
of my shoes on days with lots of walking. Instead I focused on the light coming in the
windows of La Sagrada Familia, the passion of the guitar player at the flamenco
show, and the taste of patatas bravas after a long day. When I go back to the
states I will be able to focus less on what made my day hard and more on what
made it amazing.
I am so
thankful for this amazing experience. I never knew how much there was to learn
about a new place and about myself. Without this trip I would be a completely
different person and I like who I’ve become a lot better. I leave to go home
with only one question left. Where can I go next?
