After my trip to Barcelona, I believe every student who has the opportunity should study abroad. The university’s classes are fast-paced but highly engaging, focusing on students enjoying their time in the city. However, the main point of traveling is to immerse yourself in the culture and experience what life is like on a different side of the globe. Barcelona had so much to offer, such as the summer solstice, day trips to Sitges and a mountain hike, wine and tapas classes, and even Spain bringing home the 2024 Euro Cup (the city was more excited than any Super Bowl celebration I’ve seen).

What I learned most was to appreciate and understand other people's perspectives on life. In America, we focus heavily on being the best and making the most money, but in Spain, the focus is on relationships and connecting with people. Neither lifestyle is wrong; it’s just a matter of what you want out of life. My favorite part of the trip was the people—my roommates were great from day one, and they were wonderful to live with. In my Human Sexuality class, I was one of two men, which allowed me to listen to the female perspective and deepen my understanding of the daily hardships they face compared to men.

Overall, if you have the chance to study abroad, do it! This is one of the easiest times in our lives to travel (no job, housing is set up, planned activities), and you're in a group of people who all want similar experiences.

Hayden Burke

Psychology in Barcelona, Summer 2024