On Sunday, Angelina and I went up to the mountains to see a park, Jardins del Laberint d'Horta. The park was created in 1802 when a family decided to host a huge party to celebrate the visit of Carles IV. Later the family donated the park to the city. The highlight of the park was a huge, hedged maze. (I got lost in it for about 20 minutes.) It was very overcast that day, but the fog and haze made everything seem more green and mystical. Overall, it was very nice and relaxing, and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city. That is one of the reasons I love Barcelona so much: access to my two favorite things. I can go to the mountains or the beach, all while getting to live in a big city. (My three dream lifestyles all squashed into one city!)
On Monday I began my actual classes. The whole going to class thing is really cramping my style, but I guess I should make the most of it. The classes I am taking are actually really cool, and very different from typical college courses back home. One class is about living in the city of Barcelona, its architecture, design of public spaces, and activities, and then comparing this to other European and American cities. Another class is about the European Union, its geography, history, and past and current economic and political policies. I am also taking International Marketing, Management Across Borders (studying the impact of national and cultural differences on business situations), and Spanish.
Unfortunately, these classes are not going to be any easier though (everyone says studying abroad is cake, but I think this program is pretty rigorous and expects a lot out of the students......I already have so much reading, all neat and interesting, but time consuming) It's interesting because the professors teach differently here (as most are used to teaching Spanish students) In Spain, students don't "worry" about their grades as much as students in the U.S. As long as they pass, they are content. Catalans think it's hilarious that Americans are more concerned with a letter grade, rather than the content they've learned in the class (which is really true if you think about it, i'm just so stuck on the whole "get good grades thing".) As a result, some of the teachers teach in a style that is reflective of Spanish students who just want passing grades. This is a little frustrating, because I too want to learn, but I also want to get decent grades. Also, some students studying abroad are on a pass/fail system, so as long as they "pass" their GPA won't change. I wish Penn State would do that.
Like I mentioned before, it's not that I don't want to try hard in my classes. They are all so interesting, it's just there's so many other things I'd rather do than read and study. I guess I will just have to spend my time wisely, and make the most out of every minute. I just want to know everything there is to know about Barcelona, and see everything there is to see and more. It's funny that I'm so fascinated with everything. When I ask Ana about various places she'll say, oh I've never been there, or oh, I haven't done that. At first this struck me as odd, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that even though Mercer is so teeny, tiny, I know there are things I still haven't seen yet(in Mercer, Mercer County, Erie, etc.). I guess when you go to a new place, it inspires you to seek out and find as much as you can in the limited time you're there. I take the area I live in at home for granted...and think, oh, i'll see that tomorrow. Being in Spain, and realizing how much I love to explore, makes me realize I need to seek out things to do at home. Some times I write off where we live, because everything is so same-old, same-old, but really if I think about it, I could probably find some pretty neat places, I just need to be more enthusiastic about seeking out cool and unique places.
That being said, there are still things that Barcelona has that really, truly inspire me(in ways Mercer or Erie haven't). I've never been very artistic. I like colors and shapes and collages and putting things together in funky ways, but I've never been good at drawing(especially being accurate). Being in Barcelona though, and being surrounded by such unique architecture and fabulous colors and sights, has made me inspired to "create". I bought some colored pencils yesterday, and am starting to draw (in my own, abstract way). I'm excited that the city has inspired me in this way.
The city has also inspired me to live a more simple lifestyle. I am learning to live with a lot less stuff than I am used to, and I really like it. (In fact when I think back to what a consumer I have been in the past, it disgusts me! Food, water, electricity, clothes, beauty products, etc, etc. the list could go on forever ). Having so few belongings here is like a huge weight being taken off my shoulders. It is liberating to live with so little, but I am accustomed to being at home with so much, and still wanting more! (silly me!) Seriously though, just being abroad for almost two weeks has already made we realize that I have way too much STUFF! Europeans are just more simple and I want to be more like them. When I came here, I was so worried i wouldn't have the "right" stuff, but everything has worked out and if anything I still have too much stuff.
Back home I was always making lists. (mainly of stuff I thought I needed). Here, I find myself making lists of things to see, and places I need to go. Life is so much better this way. Back home, consuming things and buying stuff was like a hobby I needed to be happy, here, I am so happy just walking, people watching, and seeing all there is to see. I would rather spend my money on cultural experience, than new shirts and shampoos.
Ok, sorry I just vented forever about these personal revelations. haha. Off to read!
No comments:
Post a Comment