Feeling Welcomed in Spain

By: Ashley Magen

Spain gave me a new place to call home after welcoming me in and decorating me with culture, language, and perspective for the past three months. The chance to travel to a handful of new countries and return back to a city full of warmth each time was a blessing and I couldn’t have asked for anything different. 

Immediately I learned that the city of Barcelona is full of culture through seeing and listening to its people and what they have to offer. The vibrant Catalan identity blends tradition, rich history, modern thinking, and creativity. Arriving in the summer, I saw cultures on the beach and in the streets where everyone comes together to share in the sun. 

I met new people with a kiss on each cheek, enjoyed many siestas, and found some of my favorite cuisine in the world. Discovering that language and culture are a pair not sold separately helped me to practice Spanish at every opportunity, learning about both Catalan and Castellano culture and how they are distinct. 

The La Merce festivals were my favorite memory, a weekend dedicated to expressing Catalan heritage. Language lessons came in unexpected places; talking to the woman who paints my nails about her favorite Barcelona spots, inviting a local whose lived in both Europe and South America to sit at a cafe, and taking a moment to ask a store owner how she became a fashion designer are just a few of the ways I felt grateful to leave my comfort zone and find how to speak Spanish my way. 

Perspective came during my semester after traveling to new cities in Spain and countries all over Europe, and even another continent in Africa. I saw cultures from all over the world come together in major cities and questioned what causes people to interact the way the do. Time to reflect was on a quick flight or train home where I would rest and think of how history, diversity and politics add to nationalities living in the places I had visited. 

I know exposure to each new city was an opportunity not many people have and I always felt gratitude, and never regret, despite any challenges that came with the journey. Traveling and studying abroad were eye opening experiences that changed me and that will always stay in me. I’ve seen more than I could have imagined, my only problem now is that my bucket list has doubled!