I’m not going to lie, the day I left for Spain, I was extremely nervous for what was to come. I have never traveled alone to a foreign country, so there is a lot that I don't know. The idea of even getting through a foreign airport without my parents overwhelmed me, but it turned out to be a lot easier than I thought. When I first arrived at my apartment, I was really impressed with my new surroundings. The city of Barcelona looks so different from anywhere I’ve been, and I am living here for the next 4 months!
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| View from Park Güell |
My apartment is nothing like anything in the United States, it is old and European. I would say the hardest adjustment so far has been learning to recognize the rules of living here. Prior to coming, I had this idea that people in Barcelona are up very late, out and about, however, many are actually tucked in early—something me and my friends have had to acknowledge when being loud at night.
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| Barcelona Beach |
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| Smoothies by the beach! |
There’s also a lot to get used to regarding the appliances. Starting with the need for the plug-in adapters, the functions of the stove and oven, as well as not having a dishwasher or dryer. The most different has been the air conditioning. When we have our air conditioning on for more than a couple hours, we have to empty these water jugs that fill up on our balcony!
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| La Boqueria (very popular food market) |
Aside from these few changes, I would say the transition to living in Barcelona has been extremely easy. After only a few days, I have already explored around my neighborhood, gone sight-seeing, and even learned to walk to my school without directions! Although small accomplishments, they are comforting ones. One of the best things about being here is that I have been able to remember some of my Spanish and learn a little more. Overall, this first week in Barcelona has been an extremely enriching and insightful.
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| Vegetable Tapas |
Elizabeth C. is the Fall 2016 CEA MOJO in Barcelona, Spain. She is currently a junior studying American Studies and Marketing at Miami University.
