Getting the chance to study abroad is a wonderful experience. It can seem daunting at first it’s difficult leaving everything you know so well for a foreign land with no familiar faces. However, once you immerse yourself in the experience you learn so much and create many memories. You often come back a changed person even if it’s in a small way.

Spain is an Active Nation

One thing I noticed right away since being in Spain was that people are much more active. Walking and public transportation often the preferred option. Especially in larger cities. Both Madrid and Barcelona have an extensive and efficient transportation system. You can virtually get anywhere you’d like with the metro, bus and a short walk. Even if you’re traveling to the outskirts of the city or cities hours away you can get there often without a personal car. Unlike the US where having a car is essential in most places, I started to really appreciate a good public transportation system like those in Barcelona and Madrid. Not only was it healthier to use public transportation but it was a great way to see the city and the world around you.

No Such Thing as Personal Space

In the US personal space is something acknowledged. Even when we are in public places like buses and parks you try to leave some distance between you and the person next to you. Unless its absolutely necessary you try to avoid entering someone’s space. In Spain, things are completely different. I remember one of the CIEE staff telling us “In Spain, there is no such thing as personal space”. This statement was basically true. Spanish personal space is very small. You find that when people are talking, they get really close to you. When riding public transportation people sit very close or stand right next to you. This experience at first was a little awkward but over the duration of the trip, I adjusted and was something I no longer thought about.

Gateway to Europe

I really felt this trip to Spain broaden my worldview and helped me grow as a person. I was able to learn more about myself and be put into situations that I did not prepare for. I was able to expand my communication skills to try to talk to people who did not speak the same language. I got a taste of Europe and learned a lot about the history of not only Spain but the different regions as well. Since this was my first trip to Europe, I think Spain was a perfect gateway for me to explore the rest of the continent.

During his earlier years living in Paris, Ernest Hemingway spent a great deal of time in Pamplona watching bullfights and learning about the contests. He became an aficionado (one who is passionate about bullfighting) and followed the matches closely. As it turns out, Hemingway’s passion for bullfighting extended far beyond a hobby and proved critical in the development of his famous sparse but impactful writing style, and served as an inspiration for many of his greatest works. In fact, while many critics cite his time working as a journalist as the sole reason for his unique writing style, Hemingway himself largely credited his time at bullfights:

“The only place where you could see life and death was in the bull ring and I wanted very much to go to Spain where I could study it. I was trying to learn to write, commencing with the simplest things, and of the simplest things of all and the most fundamental is violent death.”

The Sun Also Rises inspired my going to Spain and attending a bullfight

The Sun Also Rises is Ernest Hemingway’s first novel and my favorite. Truthfully, it is one of the primary reasons I applied to the IBUS 3033W program, and the only reason I considered attending a bullfight. Hemingway’s expansive expertise and beautiful description of bullfighting in this novel largely flipped my perspective from bullfighting as an act of sheer violence and cruelty to, dare I say, something truly artistic.

Our staying in a hotel just a few blocks up the street from the legendary bullfighting venue, Las Ventas, seemed to be fate. I simply could not shake my longing to step out of my comfort zone and enter into a world Hemingway so masterfully depicted and I so carefully read.

Attending a bullfight was not at all what I expected

Prior to arriving in Spain, I thought there was no chance I would attend a bullfight. While I would not consider myself an avid animal rights activist, I certainly detest animal cruelty and the mere description of the “stages of a bullfight” could have made me sick. Thankfully, I mustered up the courage to scalp tickets with a few friends to a bullfight on our Saturday evening in Madrid.

To my surprise and delight, I had an incredible time at the bullfight, which was not at all what I expected it to be. It was not nearly as gory, nor as cruel. In fact, each stage of the fight was so carefully executed that I began to understand why some consider it a form of art. Further, I found the bravery and skill exhibited by the matadors extremely impressive, and was relieved to see the fight was predominantly attended by Spanish aficionados, and not amateur tourists as I was told I should anticipate.

If it were not for Hemingway, I do not believe I could have stomached going to a bullfight, which ended up being my favorite activity of the trip. Ultimately, seeing a bullfight at Las Ventas has shown me that turning fiction into reality can result in some truly incredible and unforgettable experiences.

Before this study abroad program, I had never really been in a real world situation where I had to convey a message without speaking English. Trying to recall verb conjugations and words I hadn’t thought of since high school spanish to communicate with people for basic conversations was more difficult than I expected. This was an eye-opening experience for me because it made me realize how difficult this can be for non-English speakers in America and how difficult cross-cultural communication must be for businesses.

Cultural Barriers are Much More Than Different Languages

I remember reading the culture map and thinking about how simple and obvious some of Erin Meyer’s observations were. To me, they all seemed like common sense and if every business leader read her book, they would have no difficulty with cross-cultural business.

Our site visit to Quadpack quickly changed my mind. Our presenter discussed challenges in communication among their Barcelona group and even more so with the global business. Just getting everyone on a phone call is incredibly difficult because of time, language, and especially the different ways cultures do business. This made me realize the difficulty of alignment for a company.

If you can’t even get them on a phone call, imagine the difficulty of trying to communicate business mission and values, especially when cultures differ a lot in values. I see how difficult this can be for business and have a much better understanding of worldviews. Most of all, I appreciate Erin Meyer’s observations much more.

The Key to Succeeding in Business is Empathy

As I struggled to piece together Spanish phrases for simple tasks like ordering food, the one thing I noticed was how patient the native speakers were and how willing to switch to English they were. They saw me struggling and accommodated to me to make me comfortable. If anything, they appreciated my attempt to speak their language.

The empathy they showed made me much more comfortable abroad and less frustrated. I understand how important this is for business. Our visit to Global Healthcare built on this when our presenter spoke about the difficulty of expanding the business in Africa. She gave one instance about waiting for several hours to meet her potential client before being told to come back the next day. The next day, the same thing happened; she had to wait and was told to come back another time.

This was clearly a very frustrating situation, but empathy got her through. She recognized the cultural differences and put herself in her client’s shoes. This kind of empathy is what makes ore breaks a business relationship.

Overall, I do feel more globally intelligent. Being the one who doesn’t know the language put me in a new situation. I realize how difficult it must be for non-native English speakers in places like the US. I see that aligning a global business is very challenging and you have to have a good worldview to put it all together. Most of all, you need to be understanding and empathetic of those you do business with. These are the keys to success.

I have always been a person who likes to stay in her comfort zone which is partially why I have never traveled to Europe until this trip. Throwing myself into a new country across the world is a scary experience, but necessary. I found this is one of the best ways to reflect and improve as an individual. 

Cultural differences should be understood before judgement

A cultural difference that stuck out to me was the people selling fake luxury brands on the street. This seemed very normal in Spain even though I had never seen it before. I originally looked down on these people and saw them as distracting from the beautiful cities, but learning about their history offered a different perspective. The majority of them are migrants from Africa who came to Spain hoping for a better life only to find that they can’t get regular jobs without the correct paperwork. This offered a new perspective that even though I may view a cultural element negatively, you can still respect the culture if you take the time to learn.

I need to be more open to new people and experiences

After learning about the migrant street sellers, I understood that I need to be more open to new perspectives especially when abroad. This is a new level of self-awareness that I was able to gain from this trip. I think the best way to learn more about myself is to explore new places. There are so many different people and experiences that I would otherwise never know. For example, visiting La Sagrada Familia opened my mind to the rich history and dedication Spaniards have for creating a beautiful structure. It has been under construction for over a century which was incredible to see. I would have never seen such an inspiring site if it wasn’t for being open to new experiences. 

Cultural curiosity offers new perspectives that will help me grow

I am less fearful to explore new cultures after this experience. Curiosity will allow me to experience new places openly. In my blog 4, I mentioned that “I became impatient” when speakers dragged on, but if I was more understanding I could’ve appreciated their willingness to provide in depth information. Many negative experiences I had would’ve been better if I was genuinely curious and willing to learn from a different culture. This willingness is a lesson I want to take with me from Spain in order to grow into a more globally intelligent person.

I have always wondered why Carlson focuses so much in the study abroad requirement. After taking part in the short-term program in Spain, I have come to realize the importance of this requirement. My two weeks in Spain were eye opening. Hearing from Spanish based companies to American companies in Spain, I have noticed that the culture and history of different countries play an important role in the development of companies’ values, missions, employees, and customers.

Empathy and Collaboration Go Hand in Hand

During our site visits in Spain, I would constantly hear the words “collaboration” and “team work”. At our visit to Tetuan Valley, I learned a lot about how Spaniards work when they care about other people and can relate to them. Our speakers, Sergio Ramos and Iñigo Peña, showed their passion for the entrepreneurship community in Europe and their empathy for others who are following their footsteps.

Our last speaker, Pau Virgili, also mentioned the importance of collaboration and choosing the right partner. Pau talked about real life stories that made him value the partners he had around and the differences they all brought to the table.

From this site visit and speaker, I was able to reflect on how important empathy and collaboration are in the workplace. Collaborating and understanding the different values and cultural characteristics of your coworkers will set you up for success in a global economy. People appreciate when you try to identify with their feelings and understand where they are coming from.

My Abroad Experience Does Not End Here

After experiencing Spain for two weeks, and not only in a touristy way, but also in a business level made me realize that I want a job where I am constantly working with teams from all around the world. I loved immersing myself in a new culture, understanding the various ways in which companies operate was a very enriching experience. Having a worldview helps companies with “alignment”. If employees from different parts of the world collaborate with and are empathetic to each other, then it will make it easier for all of them to understand the company’s mission and values, which will make employees appreciate their job and company much more.

It is crazy to think that only a 30-minute train ride can take you to some of the most stunning views in Spain. Segovia, located northwestern of Madrid, was by far my favorite city in Spain. I highly recommend visiting this great city if you are looking to visit cool places, do some hiking, and get good gelato for only €1.

Last Minute Tickets Work Just Fine!

My trip to Segovia was not planned at all until I got to the airport in Minneapolis. I bought my train ticket through Omio, where you can find cheap tickets in Europe. Some of the other students in my class planned this trip, and they mentioned places like the Alcázar and aqueduct. From what I was told, this seemed like a pretty good place to visit while in Spain without having to spend a lot of money.

My friends and I got tickets for the 8AM train ride and got to Segovia around 8:30AM. Personally, I think this was the best time to get there since there was no one around, and it was easy to get good pictures of the aqueduct and enjoy the tour of the Alcázar without too many people around you. Additionally, Segovia’s cathedral was open and free of admission at that time in the morning. Later that day though, we decided to visit the cathedral again and go up the tower, which was €6 (with a student discount).

Sometimes the Most Unexpected Things Lead You to the Most Exciting Adventures

While some other students and I visited the “touristy” places in Segovia, we also decided to explore and hike. Taking the back roads of Segovia was what truly made my experience there so much better.

First, we made it to the top of the aqueduct and were able to take pictures of the city. Then, one of the back roads took us behind the Alcázar, which had the best views of the castle in my opinion (see picture below). Finally, we gave it a try to €1 gelatos from a small store really close to the cathedral and they were, without a doubt, one of my favorite mango gelatos in Spain.

My recommendation for future students would be to not be afraid to try new things while abroad. You do not really know what you might be missing out on if you keep saying no to new things. This is a one-time opportunity, so I would recommend getting out of your comfort zone and start saying yes to new and exciting adventures.

Make a List of Activities Before Leaving for Spain

Although its good to be spontaneous our trip short so it’s important to have a plan for what you’re going to do each day. I personally enjoyed our time in Madrid because I made a list of places I wanted to visit before we left for Spain.  Since I did research beforehand, I was able to maximize my time in Madrid. I was able to visit numerous places in a single day and even squeeze in an activity after a site visit. However, Barcelona was a different story. I never finished my list for Barcelona before leaving for Spain. Thus, I was very inefficiency and wasted time trying to find activities to do in Barcelona. Had I planned well as I did in Madrid maybe I would’ve had a more memorable experience in Barcelona too.

Buy a Prepaid Plan in Spain

One thing I regret not doing sooner was buying a prepaid phone plan just for the data while I was in Spain. Before leaving for the trip I did not want to get an international plan with my carrier since it was expensive. I planned on using the hotel WIFI and WhatsApp to make calls. However, most of the day we are not at the hotel except for when you want to sleep. I realized the importance of having an internet connection when I got lost once, I couldn’t call an Uber or use Google Maps. I had to walk around and look for places that offered free WIFI. The next day I want to Orange a major cell phone carrier in Europe. Vodafone is another major carrier both companies have locations all over Spain. Orange had great rates for prepaid plans. All you need the plans that come with data since you can use WhatsApp to make free calls and texts. I purchased their €19.95 plan which came with 15GB of data and 80 minutes of calling. 15GB of data was more than enough for me and ended up not using all the data for the week and a half. Again, you do not need to use the calling minutes. Orange also has cheaper options like €14.95 for 7GB and €9.95 for 5GB. The whole process is quick and convenient. Orange has kiosks in store where you select your plan, pay and receive your sim card. The kiosk has an English language option, so you do need to even talk to the store employees.

Take Advantage of Sundays

Spain has some world-renowned museums and galleries, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. Most days there is an entrance fee. Luckily in Spain, most museums are free on Sundays and some the first Sunday of the month. However, make sure to visit each museums website to confirm the day you visit is free. Also, be aware that since the entrance is free the lines to get tickets will be long so going early is best to get a ticket.

Among the many cultural differences between the United States and Spain, the most apparent throughout the trip were the stark differences in their business environments. This was very noticeable because each business-related site visit highlighted different aspects of Spanish work culture. Neither business environment seems inherently better than the other, so learning how both are used to achieve success was a very interesting experience.

Spain’s Hierarchical Workplace Norms Were Noticeable at HP

While visiting HP, our guest speakers showed a clear hierarchy among their team. For example, several minutes of their presentation were dedicated to showing us the various levels of employees managed by one of the speakers. The employee names and pictures were placed on top of each other according to their status. Additionally, the higher-ranking guest speaker was the one to introduce everyone and explain the team dynamics. While this was being discussed, I couldn’t help but think that this section of the presentation didn’t seem to fit with the overall goal of the presentation. However, reflecting on the Culture Map’s explanation of a hierarchical workplace and how it drives Spanish business helped me understand why this was included.  Interestingly, when asked whether Spain’s workplace normally contains a hierarchy both speakers said no. I think this shows that hierarchy is deeply ingrained into the culture and must feel completely normal to Spanish workers.

Several Guest Speakers Gave Subtle Hints of Collectivism

When learning about Spain’s collectivist nature I did not think it would be so apparent in both personal and business-related settings. Similarly, I thought the United States’ tendency towards individualism was based on personal interactions. Looking back on our site visits, there were multiple times that I could see Spaniard’s collectivist nature show through in business settings. Specifically, a common theme throughout Recyclia’s presentation was their focus on improving the world for everyone through new sustainability practices. Recyclia seems to embody collectivist ideals which was very refreshing to learn about. Overall, I think this type of business would struggle in the United States because of our focus on individual gain and profits.

The classic phrase, “like comparing apples to oranges” is strange. After all, it seems silly to avoid comparing two members of the same food group to each other. But before studying abroad, I kept reminding myself of this phrase because I thought comparing the United States to Spain would hold me back throughout the trip. However, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions provided helpful ways to draw comparisons between the countries and further convinced me that this phrase is incorrect.

Spain’s Lower Indulgence Levels Were Apparent

While partaking in nightly activities, it was clear that Spaniards consume alcohol at a slower rate. Frequently, we would be at bars and restaurants and would order drinks at a normal American pace which was noticeably faster than the locals drinking pace. This was also apparent late at night when walking around the city. American groups were very easy to identify because they were the only ones who were seemingly intoxicated.

The Lower Masculinity Levels Showed at Various Site Visits

It was refreshing to hear several site visit speakers mention that there is less workplace competition in Spain. At Sphera Global Healthcare, our speaker, Maite Malet, said the biggest cultural difference between working in the United States and in Spain was Spain’s greater focus on quality of life in the workplace. This was very interesting to hear about because United States corporate professionals always seem to be concerned about obtaining a higher rank or greater salary. I think it would be very nice to work in a country that puts less value on outranking your coworkers.

Polychronic Time seemed to be Embodied by Most Locals

A couple of our site visit speakers mentioned that workday lunches could last around two hours. Similarly, this was apparent when eating at restaurants throughout our trip. It was not uncommon for us to eat lunch somewhere and finish long before locals who were arrived before us. In fact, this aspect of Spanish culture ended up being my favorite part of the culture. It helped me develop an appreciation for more relationship focused meals. In the future, I think I will be more likely to put away my phone and use one on one meals as an opportunity to develop a better relationship with the person I am with.

Taking foreign transit out of the cities in Spain may seem scary at first. You’re surrounded by a language you don’t understand while you frantically try to locate your train or bus. The idea sounds intimidating, but where you end up is worth the hassle. My daytrips were some of my favorite days in Spain. For that reason, I fully recommend future students try daytrips. Specifically, I recommend Segovia and Montserrat.

Segovia is in an Entirely Different World Than Madrid

A short thirty-minute train ride or hour-long bus from Madrid is Segovia. Segovia is an easy to access town north of Madrid that has many sites worth seeing to fill your day. The first of these is easily the massive roman aqueduct.

Still standing even after a thousand years of wear and tear, this aqueduct is one of the coolest sites I saw in Spain. Standing at over 28 meters tall, the aqueduct dwarfs all who stand in front of it for a picture.

The surrounding medieval style city and old castle walls make this an easy area for students to lose track of time in. Other sites to see in Segovia are the cathedral and Alcázar de Segovia which inspired Walt Disney for his Disney Castle.

Overall Segovia was easily one of my favorite places to visit, but the best views were in the mountains just outside Barcelona.

Montserrat Has the Best Views in All of Spain

An hour-long train ride out of Barcelona at nine in the morning might not sound appealing, but the hassle of getting to Montserrat is made worth it once you get up the mountain. Montserrat is a popular hiking area and site seeing attraction northwest of Barcelona.

Noteworthy attractions are the Monastery and the museum, but the best part of the trip is the hike. You are free to go at your own pace up the mountain, but beware the runners who will make it look easy as you lug yourself up the steps. The hike usually takes about one to two hours depending on pace and stops.

The hike up the mountain offers spectacular views, but they are no match for what you see at the top. All of Catalonia is within your view at the peak of the mountain; this is the reward for all your hard work.

Even if neither of these daytrips appeal to some students, I encourage they look for daytrips right for them. Some require more planning than others, but they are worth it to see how Spain differs from Madrid and Barcelona. Culturally and geographically, these places can be very different. They offer new perspectives on Spain and challenge your views and expectations. I encourage all students to step outside their comfort zone and find the daytrip that is right for them.