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Ashley Suh

<i>Pronouns:</i> She/her <i>Home Institution:</i> University of California, Santa Cruz <i>Expected Graduation:</i> 2025 <i>Major / Minor:</i> Cognitive Science <i>Study Abroad Location:</i> Barcelona, Spain <i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Hola <i>Program Provider:</i> UCSC Global Learning <i>Identity:</i> Asian/Asian American, First-Generation American, First-Generation College Student <i>Future Career Goals:</i> As a person interested in user experience (UX) I would like to work on my portfolio and work on either the design or research aspect. My other plans include going to graduate school and pursuing a master's degree. <i>Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:</i> In my time abroad I will be partaking in an internship and academic course and I plan to get the most out of both opportunities. I also aim for my experience to be culturally immersive where I can eat all the new foods and learn about the culture as well. Throughout my time abroad I plan to stay positive and manage my time well if I am to get overwhelmed.

Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia is rich in its history, architecture, cuisine, and lively atmosphere. It is a truly unique and captivating destination that provides a sense of gratitude for the countless memorable experiences I have had so far. Furthermore, as a first-time traveler to Europe, multiple problems have arisen throughout my stay, but I somehow always find everything to work out in the end.

My initial weeks in Barcelona have been a rollercoaster ride full of experiences. Iโ€™ve had multiple challenges with transportation, communication, and many more. Though transportation in Barcelona is generally more efficient and cleaner than in the U.S., I constantly find myself getting lost and confused. Navigating the transportation system has been a humbling experience, and Iโ€™m eagerly looking forward to driving a car again once I return to the States. The bus is more convenient than the metro, but itโ€™s worth noting that the bus is slower, whereas the metro provides a faster mode of transport. Using the metro alone in the first few days was a struggle as I couldnโ€™t locate the stations, and wasted an hour in confusion. I remember asking at least five individuals for directions and one even gave me information about the wrong tram, going in the opposite direction. As I spend my time in Barcelona, I continue to adapt to the transportation system. I now know to walk to the Les Cortes station and take line 3 with Trinitat Nova and go all the way to Catalunya to get off and arrive at the location of my internship. I remember being on the verge of tears when I got lost but looking back, I learned from my mistakes and have been improving every day. That was probably the last time I was unable to find line 3 thinking it was a bus when it was the metro.

The languages spoken here are mainly Catalan and Spanish. Though most of the people Iโ€™ve encountered have spoken English, the smaller areas of Barcelona only seem to know Catalan and Spanish. I took three years of Spanish in high school and learned most of the basics. Although I mainly forgot everything, I still remember certain rules like the multiple tenses and introducing myself. Speaking Spanish in a very practical setting seem much different than what I expected, and I feel frustrated during times when I cannot communicate with others. I have picked up some phrases that have been helpful during my time here and if anything I can always use google translate. Furthermore, it annoys me when Iโ€™m practicing my Spanish and the employees start talking in English, I assume it’s because I take my time answering and I donโ€™t look like a local. However, Iโ€™m often glad that most of the people here speak English as my Spanish is not up to par. I feel proud of myself when I can understand certain phrases and I feel as though Iโ€™m picking it up little by little.

I eagerly anticipate the personal growth and valuable insights I will gain from this experience. Especially when I already feel that I have gained a great deal. Iโ€™m confident that when I return home, I will have transformed into a different person with an enhanced perspective on life and other aspects of life. Including cultural differences and forms of communication.