Wow, what a journey!
The last week of the program I was really pushing it trying to see and do everything I could in Barcelona. It dawned on me how little time we had left here, and I was sad to leave without trying to have one last hurrah! In the first half of the program, I got carried away with settling in and trying to adjust; I neglected seeing the sites. I think that would be a better time to see and do things and try to pace yourself, because the schoolwork hasn't quite gotten heavy, but during the second half during finals week, oh boy does it catch up with you; juggling schoolwork and seeing the sites is a tricky balance, but I managed! I learned a lot about my workflow and the limits of my capabilities. While pushing my skills further, it taught me the value of teamwork.
This last week was important because I had the opportunity to showcase my work with my mentors and professors on the final design for the mass CLT Nursey I had been working on all semester, Breathing Blocks: Caracuela, it was a great relief and satisfying to see the work my classmates and I were able to produce in such a short amount of time. The work was celebrated; I also had a great chance to go to Primavera Sound, a local music festival, and saw some amazing performances by some of my favorite bands! To end the trip, a visit from the POPE! He was coming to honor the completion of the highest tower of the Sagrada Familia, and it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Late Architect Antoni Gaudi. It was a perfect end to a wonderful semester abroad in Barcelona, studying architecture and experiencing and immersing myself in the culture.
Coming back to the US definitely felt like its own culture shift. On the one hand, it was nice to feel at home and unwind after a long journey, and on the other hand it feels like I moved from a place I called home for a bit, right when I was beginning to feel at peace. I think it's good to travel and learn because it helps you grow as a person and helps you identify in yourself your values and more about what makes you unique. It also helps you break out of comfort zones and social norms you grew up with, and creates a new world of possibilities.
For anyone feeling on the fence or afraid, I understand, I was to, but it only takes a bit of courage to make the first few steps; all great stories start with a few!
Happy Travels & Best Wishes To fellow Ducks and to all,
Kunal Mehta