Since the program ended a nearly a week ago, I have had time to reflect on both the ups and the downs as I travel through northern Spain, France, and now into Switzerland. First and foremost, I am extremely grateful to have experienced five weeks living in Barcelona and studying the history and culture with professors who grew up in the city. I think that both Javier and Juan's personal relationship with Barcelona gave the program and the classes a very special tone, and allowed us, as students, a more personal perspective on the city.
My homestay, once CIEE relocated me to a kinder host family, was one of the most important aspects of the program. Living with a family that spoke only Spanish gave me the opportunity to practice my Spanish skills whenever I was home. Additionally, our host mother gave us advice, recommendations on where in Barcelona (as well as the surrounding area) to visit, and helped us improve our Spanish through gentle correction and suggestion. Adjusting to living in a new home for the duration of the program was not difficult because our host mother was so welcoming and helpful. I hope to visit her again in the future.
I experienced a lot lot homesickness than I originally expected to, since I had spent many summers away from home in the past. In retrospect, I had never lived in a city bigger than Boulder before, and the transition to living in Barcelona was extremely challenging. While this was difficult, the program's five weeks passed incredibly quickly and it was hard to believe everything was over so soon. We saw an incredible number of sites, both historical and otherwise, and I think we all saw an exponential increase in the quality of our conversational Spanish. Overall, the global seminar was a wonderful way to experience a brief time in Barcelona
