architecture – DU Abroad

While studying abroad it seems that everyone is always off to a explore a different country each weekend, and spending quality time in your host city in is often overlooked. My piece of advice after studying abroad in two different countries is to balance out your weekends in your city, and time spent traveling. Not only will this help make your travel experiences more enjoyable, reduce burnout, tiredness (from those 6am budget flights, etc…) but it will also help you truly experience your city.

No one else staying behind for the weekend? No problem. Often we feel like we should make every day studying abroad a perfect one, and a social one. But the truth is, sometimes it doesn’t work out like that. For example, two of my apartment-mates came here as friends and have travel together every weekend, and I am not that close with my roommate because we have very different schedules and lifestyles. So, while I wish I had someone to walk around the city with this weekend, I plan on making the most of it, enjoying some solo time to slow down, experience and reflect. You never know what you may stumble upon or come to realize with some self-time.

On Friday I slept in and then did some chores around the house, cooked some meals… and while I felt ‘behind’ my schedule, I just needed to remind myself I am where I need to be, and that this was my chill day. I then went out walking without using any directions. At this point I know the route to the beach and back, but its also just fun to wander and see where you end up. If I only have a few days to explore a city or country, then I like to have everything mapped and planned. But if I am somewhere for a long period of time, I always try to have an experience of ‘getting lost’. I happened to wander by the well known ‘kiss mural’ in Barcelona, that I hadn’t seen yet, and pass by a cellist outside a church playing one of my favorite songs, ‘Moon River’. I then wandered a long the beach trying to find a quiet, sunny spot. It was a rather interesting day at the beach. I witnessed someone walking on someones back, massaging them, two guys selling beach blankets getting into a yelling argument, and finally, I had a lady come up to me and pinch my shoulder asking if I wanted a massage, which startled me so much because she snuck up on me. Then I watched the sunset, and the sky fade from light blue, to dusty pink, and smoky purple.

On Saturday, it was as I anticipated, a cloudy, chilly, rainy day. Perfect for what I had planned. I enjoyed sleeping in again, then walked down the block down to my favorite cafe called Afecte. It’s always these two friendly Spaniards, and one Argentinian working, and I always practice my Spanish with them. Most Spaniards are so friendly and happy when you speak Spanish to them. Also, Barcelona has sooooo many fabulous, aesthetic, wonderful cafes and brunch places. There is practically one everywhere you look, serving beautifully plated food, with people chatting or doing work. Something about Barcelona that I enjoy is that people work in cafes, similar to in the US. For example, when I was in Italy, no one did this, it wasn’t common. From there I walked down to the Boqueria, and got a few oranges from the produce stalls. I am still trying to find the best and most affordable place to buy produce in Barcelona, there are so many options! I always love getting my produce from stalls or markets rather than a grocery store, and it is usually better quality, and more local. Then I walked to La Virreina Centro de la Imagen. A wonderful free museum! I really enjoyed this, it was a great free experience to do in Barcelona, with some interesting exhibitions. After that I went to another free museum called Museu Frederic. Finally to end the night, I went to a free International mass at La Sagrada Familia! It was so amazing, I definitely recommend even if you’re not religious (like me) because it also gets you free access into the building. Overall a really nice experience, and it gave me nostalgia to going to mass with my host family way back then.

On Sunday I wanted to check out this large, free cactus and botanical garden near the beach. So I walked down there, and also walked up into the hills on Mont. Juic. There was a more extensive garden then I realized! I caught the sunset up there, then met up with my friends at Casa Batllo (one of Gaudi’s houses, which just so happens to be a few blocks down from me). At Batllo they were doing a really cool lights show, that they only do every so often. Lastly, I finished up some homework for the weekend, and planned my week!

It was a great weekend in Barcelona, and after spending two weekends in Barcelona here are some places I’ve explored. As well as a little re-cap of many different free activities you can do when in Barcelona:

Casa Batllo
Casa Mila
(Any other casa by Gaudi)
La Boqueria
La Virreina Centro de la Imagen
Museo Frederic
Jardins de Mossen Costa
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (free on Saturday’s anytime after 3)
the beach!
See La Sagrada Familia and the park nearby
Bunkers el Carmel
Parc de la Cuitadella
Arc de Triomf
More to come!

Follow along on my time in Barca, and see more photos here! https://www.instagram.com/pranaphotos_/

Studying abroad in sunny, warm Barcelona, is quite a different experience from Denver in the winter. I must say, it is so amazing being a 15 minute walk from the beach and the Sagrada Familia. Most of the days my first week have consisted of runs and walks around the city, while enjoying the sunshine, sunsets and people watching. Quite fantastic for January, especially for someone who has only ever lived in the mountains.

Since it is winter, and most people consider it quite cold right now, the beaches are almost always practically empty, and the tourist crowds are not too bad. If you are a person who does not like constant crowds, places being booked up, and loud people at night, this should definitely be a consideration for your study abroad location. For example, I was also in Florence Italy for fall semester. There were constant crowds, long lines, and stores and restaurants were always full. Tourism is booming everywhere, so there was only a one week lull during my entire four months abroad in Italy. Barcelona is the same during the warmer months. It should not deter you from a place, because being in an environment like that teaches you a lot about adaptability, and mindfulness. Overall, most cities I have been to in Europe that are notorious for petty crime such a Rome, London and Barcelona, have been fine traveling through so far. Make sure you are always aware of yourself, your stuff and don’t ask for attention, and you’ll be just fine! Don’t let things you see on the media intimidate you from traveling or especially solo traveling to places you want to go to, within reason of course.

If you’re also a person who is hesitant to study abroad for a whole semester, ISA Barcelona Pompeu Fabra is the only quarter length program! Which works perfectly with the DU schedule, you study abroad from January until the end of March, enjoy a week of spring break, and then head back to DU for spring quarter. Classes here are also a similar size to DU, making a great conversational environment in the classes. All of the professors are so great with lots of experience and qualifications. The school is quite organized and the class schedules too, which is something I appreciate a lot.

I always knew I wanted to return to Spain, and/or be near the ocean, so this program is ideal for a unique winter experience if you want to escape the cold. The university is so nice, there are multiple campuses spread across the city, and all are unique. Spaniards are so friendly, I enjoy practicing my Spanish whenever I can, and the locals are always receptive. There are so many amazing locations nearby, for example the country Andora is a mere 2.5 hour drive away! Along with many nearby picturesque beach towns. There of course is so much to do in Barcelona itself, and I spent most of my second weekend in Spain checking sightseeing off my bucket list, and taking street photos. Every building is so gorgeous and unique, Gaudi architecture is something everyone must see at one point. As a photographer, I have been in heaven, and taking so many photos. Barcelona is definitely one of the more unique European city I have been to. I can’t wait to keep exploring it.

Follow along on my journey and see Barcelona through my lens! https://www.instagram.com/aminbcn__/

Tag: architecture

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