After 3 ½ months studying abroad in beautiful Barcelona, Spain and traveling throughout Europe, I returned to the states with a whole new perspective of my native culture and the culture in which I had been temporarily immersed.
Upon my arrival, I learned of the comical, indoctrinated stereotypes and stigmas of my culture and that of the Spaniards—they are as follows:
Americans are fat and ignorant.
However… In America, over 1/3 of Americans are overweight. In addition, the American education system is lagging behind many of the school systems in Europe and Asia, with a shocking 23% of American students failing to receive a high school diploma…silly Americans.
Spaniards are lazy and aggressive.
But… There is no fiesta without siesta.” This commonly heard phrase among Spaniards supports both facets of their stereotype—the ever-cultural mid-workday nap and their belligerent partying…good God, Spain is a beautiful country.
Now that I am back in the states and have had time to reflect on my experiences in Barcelona, I realize that there are a few things about Barcelona that I miss dearly and some that I will unfortunately never forget…
THINGS THAT I MISS:
1. Pan—the delicious-fresh-out-of-the-oven-crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside loaves of bread available at the mercados for less than a Euro (about $1)…the reason we all gained 20 pounds abroad
2. Siesta—the 3-hour, mid-workday nap that every store and company is not only expected but encouraged to take…redefining hard work
3. Sangria—a sweet concoction of wine, chopped fruit, sweetener, and brandy…”adult punch”
4. Architecture/Scenery—Gaudi, Dali, Miro, Picasso…well done, boys, well done. There is not a building in Barcelona that does not take your breath away…oh, and the Mediterranean beaches aren’t too shabby either
5. Day-drinking—Every UCSB student can appreciate the “darty,” now imagine getting to do this every day with good wine and beer instead of plastic handles entitled “Vodka”…and getting to call it “cultural“
6. La gente—Undoubtedly home to the most cosmopolitan, eccentric people I have ever encountered…every shared glance, conversation, and person has an interesting story to tell
7. History—As an American, I am still stupefied by the years and years of history Barcelona as well as the country of Spain harbors…this is evident in the architecture, monuments, and buildings in Barcelona
8. FC Barca—Forget American football, Spanish fútbol is much better when you get to watch the best soccer team in the world (clearly no bias is present here)
9. Pretending to be a native—Immersing yourself in a foreign culture and learning its traditions and language is an unbelievable honor. And, having a local ask you for directions in Spanish; therefore, mistaking you for a fellow Spaniard is the greatest compliment…at least I think that’s what they were asking me
10. Feeling okay about eating an entire jar of Nutella.
THINGS THAT I DON’T (AND WILL NEVER EVER EVER…) MISS:
1. Tapas—Spain found a way to outdo the French and their pretentiously small portions…to paraphrase Zoolander, “[Tapas] need to be at least three times bigger than this!”
2. Sundays—Not a single store, market, or business is open…good luck getting a book for school, medication for your cold, or even a freaking bocadillo
3. Metro—I respect that it’s eco-friendly or whatever; but for an American, being on the metro is analogous to being in the chimpanzee display at the San Diego Zoo
4. Huelgas—These “strikes” occur far too often, hindering the use of the metro, taxis, airlines, and even the entrance into certain clubs and restaurants…plus the overused protest signs, chants, and referee whistles get old
5. “Barcelona Time”—Go to the discotecas at 2 a.m., return home at 7 a.m., and wake up at 4 p.m., thus wasting your entire day and inhibiting your ability to see the light of day…again.
6. Paying for water and the restroom—I spent over $300 on tap water and restrooms at restaurants, cafes, and museums…but it was either that or a $1000 hospital bill for a dehydration diagnosis
7. The first floor is not actually the first floor—It’s the fourth.
8. Walking/Driving patterns—Only in Barcelona do the people walk as slow and drive as fast…you think a “California stop” is bad—the “Barcelona stop” is nonexistent
9. Catalan Nationalism—The people of Catalonia, or Barcelona, want to secede from Spain and gain their independence…these nationalists are attempting to regain their identity in the 13th and 14th centuries as a “sort of nation-state”…efforts better spent fixing the declining economy and 25% unemployment rate
10. The men—I can’t believe that the Catalonian men’s unwarranted stares, cat-calls, kissy noises, clucks, and grabbing doesn’t get the ladies’ pantalones off and into their camas…
Clichés and jokes aside, studying abroad was indubitably the most educational and eye-opening experience of my life—one that I am privileged to have had. It is a time for travel, exploration, culture-immersion, and self-discovery. Being abroad gave me an immense amount of respect for the Spanish culture as well as my own American culture. I am so lucky to now have two homes: California and Barcelona, Spain—and for that, I am eternally grateful.