La Sagrada Familia

Author: Harper Wicks | Major: Communications | Semester: Summer 2025
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain. I was interested in Spain because of its unique architecture, culture, and because I’ve been drawn to the country since I was young. I was particularly interested in studying in Europe because I had never traveled to that part of the world before and wanted to gain a deeper understanding of European culture and lifestyle. I studied in Barcelona for seven weeks, from late May to mid-July. While abroad, I attended the UAB: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and took two courses:
Spanish Language and Barcelona City Planning + Architecture. Both courses enriched my time in Barcelona and taught me so much about the history and culture of the city. My professors were Barcelona locals who inspired me and my fellow students to take advantage of everything Catalonia (the region of Spain including Barcelona) has to offer by structuring classes that were
dynamic, interesting, and relevant to students studying abroad. I’ve gained more than I ever thought possible from my seven weeks in Spain, but a few things really stand out!
First, my coursework greatly shaped my time in Spain. My Spanish class was incredibly useful for
learning the local language (though Catalan is the official language, most locals also speak
Spanish) and made daily interactions with locals feel enriching instead of stressful. It was cool to
notice that, the more time I spent in Barcelona, the more I started to recognize words and phrases
while navigating the city or riding the metro. Secondly, the Barcelona City Planning and
Architecture class was a neat way to study the city’s architectural history and then get to immerse
in it. The course involved scavenger hunts that allowed me to explore the city in an engaging way
with my classmates. Instead of just seeing a monument or structure, I got to understand its
context and, in turn, appreciate Catalan architecture even more. Through this course, I gained a
deeper understanding of Barcelona’s architectural history and developed a greater appreciation
for studying a city’s urban development both before and during travel.
Something that stood out to me about my trip was the importance of adaptability. Studying in a
foreign country brings so many exciting opportunities, but one thing it’s sure to bring is discomfort,
whether it’s due to a language barrier, unfamiliar surroundings, or adjusting to a new schedule. I
quickly learned that the best way to enrich myself in Spain was to let go of past habits, routines, or
expectations that differed from life in the U.S. A small example of this: the eating schedule!
Spaniards are known for being relaxed, slow-paced, and night owls. This is reflected in their meal
times! Breakfast is usually small and around 9–10 a.m., lunch is the biggest meal of the day
around 1 p.m., followed by a siesta, a light snack around 5 p.m., and dinner isn’t until 9 or 10 at
night! Walking through the streets, you’ll often see families just finishing their meal at 11 p.m.,
which was a big change for me. At first, I found it strange and difficult to adjust to. But after a few
days, I found that following the local dining schedule made meals feel more lively and connected
me to the city even more.
Something that surprised me was how much I enjoyed learning Spanish. Before going abroad, I did
my best to brush up on high school Spanish and practiced on Duolingo. Still, I had only very basic
knowledge. I quickly realized that the language barrier would be one of the most challenging parts
of studying abroad. While English is fairly widely spoken, making an effort to learn Spanish is
necessary and genuinely appreciated by the locals. I picked up simple phrases quickly just by
being immersed in the environment.
From the first day of my Spanish course, I knew it was going to impact my experience in a big way.
My professor focused on conversation rather than just vocabulary and grammar. This quickly
made me more comfortable and less nervous about speaking, which made all the difference
outside the classroom. Even though my knowledge is still basic after only seven weeks, I feel so
much more connected to Spain because of what I’ve learned. I was able to have small
conversations with locals, navigate the city more confidently, and feel a sense of independence
by growing my language skills. I practiced not just with classmates, but also the moment I left
class in a coffee shop or restaurant! I would highly recommend learning at least a little of the local
language before going abroad and even taking a course in it if you’re studying in a non-Englishspeaking country! My time in Barcelona has exceeded every expectation I had. I’m walking away
with a deeper knowledge of the Spanish language, architecture, and culture, as well as a
newfound appreciation for other parts of the world and a growing interest in travel!