Exploring Girona
Author: Shannon Morneault | Major: International Business | Semester: January Intersession 2023
Studying abroad is not an opportunity I thought I would have during my college years considering that my freshman year got cut short due to the pandemic. However, as a senior International Business major I got to be an apart of the Global Changemakers program in Barcelona, Spain this past January. This program aims to seek out organizations that are currently making an impact in their community and looking to implement techniques to track the extent of a difference they are making.
This program interested me because it was cross disciplinary between both the Walton and Fulbright colleges. I not only wanted to learn from the program and the activities involved but also, I wanted to learn from other students who I may not have had class with before. I am a firm believer that sometimes we can learn so much simply by listening to those around us and not always being the loudest speaker in the room. I gained a lot of insight from the perspectives within the Fulbright college.
The ideas presented within the program by our professors really challenged our grouped to think about what truly making an impact entail. We each may have an idea, but that impact may vary in measure in different fields. This helped me to understand that continuing to be curious and question the status quo can be instrumental in creating change. Sometimes there may be better ways to be successful in your purpose but you will never know unless you dare to make a change or alter your current ways. This is something that I will be able to carry into my future careers in the business world.
Our classes in Barcelona were mostly held in each organization that we were visiting. We would tour their facilities and learn an overview of what they do and then have the option for questions at the end. Each was different in the services that they provided. I enjoyed being able to be present in the learnings and see where change was being made. This differed from the University of Arkansas in that in most cases speakers come to our campus instead of students visiting them. Our professors help to guide our learning and would provide insight to each of our sessions. They had already met with our speakers and were fully equipped to navigate our sessions around our purpose in the program.
We were able to balance our learning sessions with many cultural activities within Barcelona. We visited many works of the architect Gaudí including Casa Mila, Case Batlló, and la Sagrada Familia. Each of these conveyed so much more than just a building and were an incredible experience to be guided along his mindset in creating these spaces. Along with that we got to partake in the cuisine specialty of tapas. Tapas are small plates of food that are meant for sharing at mealtimes. My favorites were patatas bravas, pan de tomate, and croquettes. Meals in Spain are centered around community and enjoying being together and that was a special occasion that I got to experience.
Reflecting on my experience I would invite any student who wants to expand their perceptions and question traditional methods to attend this program. This offers a lot of unique spaces to have conversation with those you may not normally be in class with and learn from professor you may not normally have. I wish before going to Spain that I had done a little more research on the topic and the country, however I still felt prepared and at ease with my surroundings. Once I get back to the U.S. I want to have a good homecooked meal and get to spend time with my family. This experience will forever be so special to me especially being my first time in Europe. I will always cherish the memories and all that I have learned.