This past weekend I took my first trip out of France.  My roommate Maddy and I decided we would spend the weekend in Barcelona, Spain. I know this is such a typical “study abroad” place to go and super clich�, but it had to be done. Almost all of my friends who are studying abroad are doing so in Barcelona and I figured visiting them would be the perfect remedy for my homesickness. Because our journey was planned a little last minute, the train prices were somewhat high but I knew I wouldn’t regret the decision. The train only took three hours from Montpellier to the Sants train station in Barcelona. The ride there was actually beautiful.

The train took us all along the coast of the Mediterranean; a sight I had yet to see during my two weeks in France. Barcelona is an absolutely amazing city. Even though Barcelona nowhere close to Philadelphia, for some reason I felt so reminded of home there. Besides the fact that I was surrounded by so many familiar faces, things in Barcelona felt so much more “Americanized” than in Montpellier. For starters, Barcelona is much bigger and gives off more of a “city” vibe than Montpellier. There were more name brand stores, including a Starbucks (hallelujah!), compared to Montpellier which has mostly little Mom and Pops restaurants and shops. The architecture was amazing and antique looking with so much detail and color, but the street level stores were completely refurnished and modern looking. The whole town itself was so clean because they wash the streets and sidewalks every single night. As I am starting to discover Montpellier, I am realizing that it really is a quaint little old town. In contrast, Barcelona was lively, loud, and the people just looked more similar to those in America. I’m glad that I have good friends staying in Barcelona because I am definitely going to be visiting multiple times during my semester abroad. Before going to Barcelona I was not aware of the political unrest that was plaguing its streets. I will give a brief history lesson if you are not already aware of what has been going on. Barcelona is in a region of Spain called Catalonia, hence the reason why the people in Barcelona speak Catalan and not Spanish.  This region has wanted to become independent from Spain for a while now. During the weekend I spent in Barcelona, there were rioters demonstrating their protests in the street.  ccording to the articles we read online, about 120 people were injured while police attempted to break up the protesting by shooting rubber bullets and hitting people with batons.  As we walked along the streets that night, numerous broken shop windows portrayed the aftermath of the riots. I had always heard that Barcelona can be a dangerous town and to watch for thieves, but I never would have guessed that something like this would be going on while I was there. Other than the riots, I had an amazing time in Barcelona. Great food, great friends, and great times. I already have train tickets to go back in March for Barcelona’s annual Abroadfest! It was an exhausting weekend, so walking back up my street from Gare St. Roch (the train station in Montpellier) was oddly calming and inviting. I really felt like I was going home. This first weekend trip to Barcelona was just a taste of everything I have yet to explore this semester.

Location: Barcelona, Spain