La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Author: Megan Wells | Major: Exercise Science | Semester: Summer 2025
As the youngest of three girls, I have always looked up to my older sisters as the most inspirational role models in my life. So, ever since my oldest sister studied abroad in Peru ten years ago, it has been my dream to do the same. This past summer, I spent five weeks taking health sciences classes at the Universidad Católica de Valencia. My time in Valencia is something I will cherish forever; the experience was truly life changing. I grew in my confidence and independence, while immersing myself in a whole new culture. I couldn’t have done it without my host mom, peers, and professors supporting me every day. At the same time, my family and friends were supporting me from 5,000 miles away. This strong support system was essential to my success in Spain.
As far as classes go, I took a Culture in Contemporary Spain class, along with a Healthcare ethics class. Every day in the classroom looked different, some days we had traditional lectures and quizzes, others we watched videos relevant to the information being taught, and one day we even went on a field trip. I learned a great deal about Spanish history, along with how their healthcare and education systems compare to those in the United States. In class, we learned about San Juan, a special Valencian celebration that my peers and I got to enjoy. On the night of June 23rd, people gather on the beach in Valencia and celebrate the longest day of the year. We swam, watched fireworks, and sat by the bonfires the locals made.
This was my first time in Europe, so I packed a lot into five weeks! I loved getting to explore my host city during the week and then take trips over the weekend. I went to Barcelona and Madrid the first weekend. It was awesome seeing Gaudí’s amazing works throughout Barcelona, specifically La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. My favorite sight to see in Madrid was the Royal Palace, along with the Royal Garden. The next weekend, a few of my peers and I took a trip to Switzerland. I had never experienced natural beauty like that ever in my life. The water was so blue and beautiful. We did a seven-mile hike and then jumped into a natural glacier lake. That was one of my favorite moments of the whole trip. The second to last weekend, a group of 11 of us went to Mallorca, Spain. We spent our time relaxing on the beach. It was a nice switch of pace because it felt more like a vacation. Finally, for my last weekend, five of my closest girlfriends and I took a trip to Italy. We started in Rome and saw all the sights to see- the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Pantheon, and more! We took an overnight bus to Florence and spent the next day exploring there. All of my weekend trips were amazing, and I am so happy I got to see what several other countries in Europe have to offer!
My program was an external program through ISA. They did a wonderful job planning activities for us to get the most out of our experience. My favorite of these events was the paella- making experience at the Barraca Toni Montoliu. Paella is a traditional Spanish dish that originated in Valencia. It is saffron rice with a variety of meats, vegetables, and seafood. We got to learn how they make traditional paella, and of course we ate it afterward. Along with the Paella, they brought out a variety of tapas (appetizers). My favorite was the patatas bravas. Food is such an important factor in Spanish culture, and after this experience, I can see why. The meals in Spain aren’t rushed but meant to be enjoyed. My group sat there for four hours chatting, trying different tapas, eating the paella, and then enjoying desert. We all shared an appreciation for the slower-paced mealtime.
I learned many valuable lessons during my five weeks in Spain, but the one that will stick with me the most is the importance of enjoying life and giving myself grace to do so. Like many students at the University of Arkansas, I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best student I can be. While that is important, it is equally important to do things that fill your cup. My cup was continuously overflowing in Valencia. I stopped putting so much pressure on myself and started just living in the moment. If plans fell through, no worries. If I got off at the wrong bus stop, I simply walked the distance. I plan to bring this mindset back with me because life is too short to stress all the time. From the bottom of my heart, I thank Spain for giving me this new perspective.