Food specifically has always been
something that has stuck out to me my whole life
and it's also the one thing that all humans do.
All my other classes are direct with the university,
but I heard about this class which was what I envisioned
the perfect study abroad program to be because
you get the Mediterranean food in the Mediterranean
and it really worked out,
so it's the only class I take through the program
but it's amazing and it's definitely the favorite part of my schedule.
Food has always been the connection
I could make to that culture and heritage of my family,
so I think that was the biggest reason I wanted to apply
to this program here because I could connect in that way.
Even though it's still a bigger city, it's still very homely
and it's slower paced and not rushed at all,
so people takes the time
to enjoy the food that they're eating or spend time with people.
There are so many things around and that you can take day trips
to but in Barcelona itself, you have a huge cafe culture,
and there are museums, there's the beach...
And I think that with me being here for six months,
I haven't gotten bored a single second
and that's what I have really enjoyed.
I'm most enjoying the fact that I can really connect
culturally and in a deeper way to the Spanish food culture here.
I don't think I would have been able to connect in that way if
I wasn't taking this class because I've learned
so many almost kind of hidden things about food culture that
I would've needed to be told rather than just observed,
so it's been very valuable.
You might go to a market,
but you never know anything about that and you really have to do your research
and this program has taught me to take a step back and think while
learning the history, learning about gastronomy
and the processes and the functions and it's just been absolutely beneficial,
while having a great time.
I think back at home, I take very strict, traditional classes,
so coming here the classes are a lot more flexible
and all of the teachers give students time to really explore what they're interested
in within each topic of food culture and gastronomy,
so I think I've learned a lot more about
what I've wanted to learn.
It really gives you the opportunity
to have free reign on your studies, which is really something that
the abroad classes have offered to me that I really didn't get back home.
I think that's the best way to learn honestly.
Being able to experience and do things first-hand.
That's the best way to learn for me
and coming to Barcelona,
that's super accessible here, because of the rich culture and history.
My favorite thing about the food culture is probably sobremesa because
it's really taking the time to experience food and company and connect with people
in a deeper way than the rush and convenience of the food back home.
I also think that it really ties into the lifestyles and the familial values here,
which I really appreciate and it reminds me of my mom's heritage,
so it kind of feels like home in a way.
I think it really changes your whole study abroad experience if you're learning
and doing things that are part of a culture in your classes
and I think for my program if you're taking random psychology classes,
it's just like of going to school somewhere else,
but when you're taking Mediterranean Nutrition and Gastronomy,
you're learning about the place while you're in the place.