Pre-QUEST2Spain Persepctives

I decided to give myself a week to get immersed into Spain before the actual course began. One of our professors, Dr. Suarez, wrote an article for the Washington Post in December of 2016, emphasizing the need to really slow down in our behaviors and try to become cognizant of our surroundings and insights to fully appreciate your setting and goals. Having finished quite a stressful Fall semester, I knew going into the course that I would need to really slowdown my habits and thoughts so that I could really appreciate the country.

I landed in Barcelona on January 1st, so I got to actually start the new year in a new country! Before flying, I honestly had no idea what to expect from Barcelona, so flying in, I hadn’t realized the city was encompassed by both the mountains and the beach. With such a wide variety of terrain to explore, I knew I wanted to use this week of self-travel to really get to know my surroundings. As a result, I in essence did so: explored the mountains of Montserrat, then the mainlands of Girona, and then finally the beaches of Tarragona. All of these areas were incredible in their own right, and it really helped with getting myself adjusted to the Spanish culture.

Beachside of Tarragona

Montserrat from Above

A River Cutting through Girona

Once I got to the hotel the university arranged for the students’ accommodation, I felt rejuvenated and ready to approach the course without being in a mindset from the past Fall semester and jet-lag. While I had been in the country for sometime by then, I was ready and excited to commence the learning of Spain from a different lens!