Traveling Within Your Host Country

By: Jordyn R. Greenfield

When I first embarked on my study abroad experience, I was so excited for my first big opportunity to see the world. I wanted to visit as many countries as possible! However, I quickly discovered there is something special about cherishing the time you have in your host country. I was lucky enough to study abroad in Barcelona, a major city within Spain and the perfect home base for quick and easy travel within the large country. As much as I loved leaving the country and seeing other parts of Europe, I without a doubt recommend taking the time to explore the other cities within your host country to identify, understand, and celebrate the unique differences every region has to offer. 

While living in Barcelona, I was lucky enough to venture to nine other cities in Spain throughout my time abroad! Some of my favorites include the island of Mallorca (only a 30 minute flight away for the most breathtaking blue waters), Madrid (Spain’s bustling capital city conveniently 2.5 hours away by train), and Seville (the charming autonomous community of Andalusia, known for its stunning architecture and quaint neighborhoods). 

I encourage you to take day trips as well, which offer a more budget-friendly way to explore nearby regions. When CIEE had school off for National Day of Catalonia, my roommates and I took a 30 minute train ride to Sitges and were thrilled to discover the tickets were only 6 euros each way! This nearby coastal town is filled with beautiful beaches, great shopping, and a variety of delicious family-owned restaurants. And although Spain is mostly known for its large amount of coastal destinations, Montserrat, only an hour outside of Barcelona by train, offers an opportunity to explore the Catalan mountain range. Rich in nature, culture, and history, this day trip was perfect for hiking, visiting the monastery, and indulging in a variety of delicious cheeses at the local farmers market. CIEE also offers a variety of free day trips included with your program, which I highly encourage you to take advantage of! 

Visiting the various parts of Spain also allowed me to identify regional differences, which I connected to my class learnings. In my Culture and Cuisine class with CIEE, I learned that Catalan tapas are different to those offered in Madrid and Andalusia. After months of enjoying tapas in Barcelona, it was interesting to taste traditional tapas in Madrid and Seville and compare my findings to the regional differences I learned about in class. 

In conclusion, I encourage you to see the world and visit those countries on your bucket list, but do not overlook all the remarkable neighboring places that surround your host city. Including Barcelona, I have now traveled to 10 cities within Spain, all with unique characteristics, and there are still so many I sadly won’t have the time to see. I have loved immersing myself in this country’s culture and will cherish my study abroad experience forever. 

EXPLORE SPAIN