CGIS goes to Barcelona!

About a month ago, I traveled to Barcelona, Spain on an advising visit with our program partner Barcelona Study Abroad Experience (BSAE). CGIS partners with BSAE on three different program models: International Business & Humanities at the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB); Multidisciplinary Studies in Barcelona, Spain; and Sports and Society in Spain .

I had a packed itinerary filled with many things to explore and experience from 9 AM to as late as 10 PM every day. During the trip I toured the BSAE Home Office and their Study Center where students take classes; toured the three universities in Barcelona that BSAE partners with for direct enrollment; had dinner with a local host family and their current student; visited the small business incubator that BSAE partners with heavily for their internship program, and participated in some of the orientations, classes, and cultural excursions that our students do! At times it was exhausting, but it was very immersive and informative.

In addition to all of that, I got the chance to meet with local staff that work with our students, and also the other advisors from different universities who were also on the trip. I learned a lot about Catalan and Spanish history and culture, and about how other study abroad offices operate around the country. I of course, was excited to share my experiences and some of CGIS’ best practices with them as well.    

Seeing the location and experiencing it (especially for the first time) is far and away the most important element of the journey, but also learning about the local culture from people who live it every day gives you a perspective to share with students that transcends anything you can explain to them in a presentation or out of a catalog.

The best part of the visit was the people. I really enjoyed meeting all of the BSAE staff as they were so welcoming and kind and they were eager to teach and spend time with us. I truly felt a connection with everyone as they were so genuine about getting to know us and our stories and also sharing their own. Speaking of “us, the cohort of advisors on the trip was awesome and the other aspect of “people” that were a joy to meet.  I learned as much from them as I did from the staff and we became a tight knit group!

I am excited as I see the opportunity to gain more capacity for students in our semester program. We currently have a limited amount of spots in our direct enroll semester program, and touring the other universities (Universidad de Barcelona and Pompeu Fabrau), I see the potential to partner with them to increase the amount of students we can send in the fall or winter. With the larger variety of courses, I see many opportunities to attract majors that typically do not study abroad, for failure of not finding suitable courses, also, many CGIS students have wanted to complete internships while abroad, and there are some opportunity for BSAE to offer co-curricular internships as well. I am excited to investigate that possibility as well.

My advice to students headed to Barcelona soon is to do your best to maximize your time there. It is a big city, but it also has a small-time feel to it. It is very English-friendly, but try to practice your Spanish and if you are adventurous, try and learn some Catalan as well. It is a very interesting time to be studying in Barcelona, as they are in unprecedented times politically, and so that is even more of a reason to engage with local Catalans. But also be prepared to share your own thoughts and feelings about life back here, because they are just as eager to learn from you as you are from them.