CEA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

Having been my first time traveling to Europe, I truly didn't know what to expect. I was excited, nervous, and ready to take on the world (literally!) Never would I have thought that I would have found another home the way I did Barcelona. I don't only attribute that to the beautiful city and amazing friends I made - I think back to this time and remember the teachers I had, the courses I was able to take - letting us truly explore and learn the culture of this incredible city. We were able to study communications by working one-on-one with a Spanish University student - sharing every detail of each other's culture based on first-hand experiences. We were able to learn history by simply walking around and taking pictures with a photography elective. I can't say thank you enough to CEA - who made each student feel comfortable, safe, and cared for when simply just walking around in our "new home." They were accessible any minute we needed them, were helpful when things didn't go as planned (everyone knows traveling can be a nightmare), and overall, created a program where students from everywhere can come together and find a common ground in this amazing place. There will never be enough words to describe how appreciative I am for that experience.

There is so much that I loved about my time abroad and much of that enjoyment had to do with the program I chose. In the first week of being abroad, CEA provided a list of excursions that you can opt to go on. I highly recommend signing up for most of these opportunities, if not all of them! Some of the events offered include cooking classes, local get-togethers, as well as, overnight trips. I signed up for a handful of each and didn't regret any of them. My favorite outings that CEA provided were to the Pyrenees Mountains and Madrid. It's convenient to take advantage of the events that CEA plans because you don't have to do anything but show up! CEA provides everything from transportation to lodging, and even offers suggestions on excursions to explore.

Honestly, I decided I was going to study abroad two weeks before I applied. I have always wanted to travel to Europe and explore the world. I figured why not just go for it. I explored study abroad programs and chatted with people and concluded that CEA was my best bet-the staff was honestly most helpful through everything. Yeah, there’s a lot of work that goes into applying for a study abroad program, like transfer credit forms, advisor approval forms, applications through your home school etc., but believe it or not, I got it all done in those two weeks. Thanks to CEA’s staff again. It’s funny looking back to that time now because none of my friends believed me when I told them I applied and would be studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain the upcoming month.

I’m so glad I proved them wrong. Studying abroad in Barcelona was the best experience of my life. I had the opportunity to see some phenomenal works of art and the most breathtaking views. The views and buildings just got better and better with each new place I went. From Plaze de Espanya to Casa Milla to Parc Guell to Parc de la Ciutadella to Castle Montjuic to la Sagrada Familia to Montserrat… and the list goes on. Literally anywhere you go in Barcelona is beautiful.

Of course everyone wants to hear and see pictures of the architecture, that’s what Barcelona’s known for! But honestly, what I loved most about Barcelona is the culture. I had never taken a Spanish course until I got to Barcelona, and I’m so glad I did. It made it so much easier to learn the language and communicate with locals. I actually felt (half) fluent by the time I left. It definitely made it easier to immerse into the culture as well. I felt so comfortable traveling the city alone and meeting new people! Everyone is so friendly in Barcelona and everything is slow-paced, there’s nothing you could complain about.

I had the most amazing time abroad, especially while being enrolled in the CEA program in Barcelona! The people I met,places I traveled, and the over experience was something I will never forget! Not only was the location perfect, but the program was even more amazing, all the teachers are very personable and there as confidants and someone to lean on if you're ever feeling homesick. The program sets up some super fun excursions as well that help enrich your overall experience! My favorite was attending the FCBarcelona futbol game and traveling to Madrid with all of my friends in the program (and its all paid for which is even better). Overall, I loved everything Barcelona and CEA had to offer and would go back in a heart beat if I could!

One of the best decisions I've made in my life was to study abroad with CEA. I travelled abroad my Freshman summer through CEA without knowing a single person with the purpose of experiencing a whole new country without having any kind of comfort. I met each of my roommates and classmates without them having any predisposition or bias of the kind of person I was. I become very close to my roommates that I was able to socialize and connect with them to a level that you couldn’t in no other circumstance besides studying abroad would you be able to get to know someone. I took international marketing where we analyzed case studies and presentations that focused mainly on the global business environment where I was able to improve my understanding of globalization and improved on my professional skills. I learned a lot about myself and how genuine and fundamentally good of a person that I was, through the lenses of complete strangers. That alone was a life changing and forever memorable conception that I hold deeply to this very day.

Barcelona with CEA was a trip I will never forget, and one that I wish I could relive every single day. CEA was incredibly prepared, helpful, and truly wanted its students to have the best time. From a pickup at the airport to planned excursions to helpful advise on places to go, CEA was always ready and willing to help with anything you could possibly need. The excursions were super fun, and basically everyone went on the trip together to Valencia! It's more than just what CEA did though - it's the people they brought together. Through CEA, I got to meet other students that I never would've met otherwise, as we all went to different schools throughout the United States. I met and bonded instantly with these incredible people, and I have CEA to thank for that. There is so much to do in Barcelona and I swear I probably averaged 4 hours of sleep a night because I wanted to visit and participate in everything!

I'll start by saying that I loved this program so much, I've applied to go back to Barcelona in the summer! This city, program, and staff completely surpassed my expectations last fall. I gained an immense amount of knowledge of the culture, language, and history, that I couldn't help but return.

If you have even the slightest desire to study abroad in Spain, I would highly consider the Barcelona program. Barceloneta beach, the mountains (Tibidabo perched right on top for the whole city to see), the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, the night life, food, history, old Olympic park, the bunker at Carmel, easy transportation system, museums, festivals, and so many other factors gave me the desire to stay in Barcelona for the rest of my life.

I will admit, if you want to live in a smaller, quiet city, Barcelona may not be what you're looking for. I sometimes felt like there was too much to do, I couldn't experience it all. La Merce one weekend, festivals every other.

I never felt overwhelmed by the city, but only because I always felt safe, the culture is relatively laid-back, and pick-pocketing was my biggest fear. I bought a purse with clips on the zipper to prevent theft, and it worked! If you keep an eye on your things and don't leave your phone in your pockets, you should be alright.

I feel like I may be rambling now, but only because I have a hard time summing up my experience into a few sentences. If you decide to go to Barcelona for your study abroad experience, you will not regret it. It will be life changing and you'll emerge from it a greater person all around.

Buena suerte!

**WARNING**** If you are not careful you will fall in love with Barcelona and never want to leave! The CEA program offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to help you live and experience a different culture while earning college credits.

Classes are based out of a safe and monitored building that is right in the center of Barcelona and some of the most beautiful sites you can ever see. Las Ramblas, a popular road for it's shops and restaurants, is right down the street and only a few miles away is the beautiful beach and amazing artistic creations such as the Gaudi House and La Sagrada Familia. The teachers and staff of the program are amazing and really care about the students but also understand that it is a study abroad program and integrate fun ways to learn and live the Catalan culture. Depending on where you live, wether in a home stay or an apartment with other students, you have the option of either walking or taking the metro.

While commuting to school there are many amazing bakeries and small restaurants where you will taste the best paella you will ever have. Some of the must tries are the churros and hot chocolate, which is more like a hot chocolate pudding that you dip your churro into, the sea food paella, and the many tapas that are available such as croquets.

Barcelona night life has something for every type of person. Loco Lunes "Crazy Mondays" are a big night out where you can go to small urban bars such as The Dow Jones, to salsa dancing clubs, or night clubs with dj's and dancing such as Opium.

There are many ups to moving to Barcelona for a study abroad but there are also downs. There is a big time difference compared to the US which can make it difficult but not impossible to skype or call family members. Jet lag is also hard to get used to after arriving to Barcelona so getting on a normal sleep pattern early in your experience will do you a lot of good. And obviously one of the biggest adjustments to be made is living in a Spanish speaking country. As long as you are willing to try and speak Spanish people will be kind and they will work with you and in turn probably want to practice some English with you.

My biggest advice for you is to always have a smile on your face because people will be more inclined to be patient, help you, or approach you to talk. Be grateful for your time there because it does not last forever and it goes by fast. Do as much as possible, don't sit at home if you are homesick get out there and explore! And last but not least have some Sangria, you will never find Sangria as good as Barcelona's.