Un Día en la Vida: Part 1

Now that IES Abroad classes in Barcelona are in full swing, I’ve started to get into a daily groove. Forming a routine has brought stability and comfort to what has definitely been an equally hectic and exciting first month. Since I spend the majority of my days in this routine, I’d like to give you a look into what a day in my life is like here. As a disclaimer, no two people have the exact same schedule and everyone has different interests, priorities, and goals for their time studying abroad. Basically keep in mind that others’ experiences may be very different from mine. Here we go!

0730- Yes, you read that right: 7:30A.M. Every Monday through Thursday (no classes on Friday!) I wake up, make and eat breakfast, make and pack lunch, get ready, do some last minute class reading, and pack my bag.

0830- In the U.S., my host mom’s apartment would be considered the 9th floor, so once out the door I wait for the tiny elevator to head up. By the time I´m on street level, all I have to do is cross the street and walk 100 meters to my metro station. I put in my card, go through the gate, and head down the stairs to wait for my train. During my ten minute ride, I people watch or write in my handheld journal because I don't have a smartphone to scroll through. When I arrive at my stop, I walk through the pigeon filled Plaça Catalunya to get the the IES Abroad Center.

0900- My first class of the day is Banditry and Mafias in the Mediterranean. My professor can’t help but show us a Sopranos clip most every class to help illustrate a concept. You can tell he loves what he teaches and is super knowledgeable about it, which makes the class more enjoyable. I also really like having a class with its historical focus on the area I’m living in right now, because it feels a lot more tangible.

1045- My second class of the day is Cross Cultural Psychology. As a psychology major that’s already familiar with many of the concepts, theories, and vocabulary used in this class, trying to fully take on the cross cultural perspective is, at this point in time, still very challenging. It's hard to shake inherent ethnocentrism! In this class, we are always encouraged to share the experiences we have to try and navigate the deeper cultural meaning behind what we observe.

1200- In my break between classes, I usually stay at the IES Abroad Center. I eat my lunch, socialize a little, and work on homework. Sometimes I’ll contact friends and family, work on a blog, plan a trip, or check emails, too. Most people try to be productive during their breaks so that they don't have to spend as much time at night or on the weekends finishing their assignments when they could be doing other fun things Barcelona, or Europe, has to offer.

To see the rest of my day, continue on to Part 2!