Peter studied abroad on CGIS's Summer Multidisciplinary Studies in Barecelona, Spain program in Spring/Summer 2022. He also applied for and received the Mark and Myra Sorensen International Travel Scholarship to support himself abroad. This content has been reposted from the International Center with permission.
This past May, with the support of the Mark & Myra Sorensen Scholarship, I was blessed to have the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain for three weeks. During my time in the city, I took a class called Sports and Society in Spain and Catalonia, which focused on the history of athletic competition in the country, and more specifically, how its evolution has impacted the lives of Spanish and Catalan people socially, politically, and personally. The class also took us on a deep dive into the unique history of Catalonia, one of the country's 17 autonomous communities. This provided insight into the reasons that there is an existing divide between the Central Madrid and Catalan governments, and how that has manifested itself over time in a variety of ways in regards to culture and identity.
One of the coolest traditions I was able to personally participate in was Correfoc in the city of Badalona. In English, correfoc means "fire-runs", which is a perfect description of the event. The tradition consists of designated participants dressing up as devils, lighting up fireworks, and others playing drums. Those who are daring enough have the freedom to get as close to these devils and fireworks as they please, but the fireworks are loud and even have the potential to burn you if you're not wearing proper clothing. Overall, it was a great experience, and we even got to chill by the Mediterranean Sea and dip our toes in the water after it had ended.
As a native Michigander, living in an entirely different country with new people, new customs, and re-learning how to communicate in a language that I was very rusty with, I was forced out of my comfort zone immediately. As I aim to enter the world of management consulting post-graduation, my time in Barcelona affirmed the importance of being agile and acclimating to unfamiliar circumstances quickly, for both my personal and professional development. My biggest takeaway from the program was Barcelona's chill and relaxed nature, which is something that people from the city naturally embody. The combination of factors like the pace of life, the weather, and the ability to walk basically almost everywhere have stuck with me since my departure. Now, I try to build at least 2 hours of time per week into my schedule dedicated to low-stress, enjoyable hobbies I have, whether that's playing the piano, making pan con tomate, or hanging out with friends. Making the decision to study abroad was one of the best decisions of my life, and I can't wait to return to the city soon.
