I knew I wanted to study abroad in Barcelona before I even started college, and I was lucky to participate in UCEAP's yearlong program there in 2015-16. When I speak with people from other American universities who studied in Barcelona, it's clear that the UCEAP structure offered a uniquely immersive experience that allowed students to quickly become part of the city's daily rhythms. At the time, one of my friends joked that my study abroad experience checked all the boxes, and it's hard to argue: I downed calçots and danced in correfoc sparks at local festivals, saw Leo Messi score at Camp Nou, watched New Year's fireworks light up the Acropolis, and shook hands with the Catalan president at a book signing. It's impossible not to think back on the year as the most important time in my life, and I am grateful for it every day. Since finishing the program, I have returned periodically to the city; having completed a master's in Catalan linguistics, I now hope to make my move permanent. I'm fortunate to have a strong support network here, and many of my deepest friendships are people I met during my year abroad.
I knew I wanted to study abroad in Barcelona before I even started college. It's clear that the UCEAP structure offers a uniquely immersive experience that allows students to quickly become part of the city's daily rhythms. One of my friends joked that my study abroad experience checked all the boxes, and it's hard to argue. I downed calçots, danced in correfoc sparks at local festivals, saw Leo Messi score at Camp Nou, watched New Year's fireworks light up the Acropolis, and shook hands with the Catalan president at a book signing. It's impossible not to think back on the year as the most important time in my life, and I am grateful for it every day.