Colin Hatfield.317
STEP Reflection
5/25/23
I participated in the International Business Global Lab in Barcelona, Spain from May 7th through the 20th with the Office of International Affairs. In my two weeks, I completed a crash course in International Business, visited popular cultural destinations, learned about global industries and their leaders through site visits, and developed strong relationships with fellow Buckeyes along the way. This was an excellent way to learn about the world, business, and myself while having an unforgettable experience in a short period of time.
Participating in an Education Abroad Experience through Ohio State, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Global Business, and with thehelp of STEP, I learned a lot and came back to the United States with a better understanding of the world around me. The thing that stood out to me most was that the differences we observe between people, culture, and countries truly isn’t as polarized as most would assume. Whether that was local Barcelonians, American tourists, or tourists from other countries, we all want the same things. We all want to be happy, loved, and heard. We all want to take care of ourselves and those that we love. We all want to be safe and try to live as stress-free as we can. While we may speak different languages, eat different foods, and have different social norms, we all value similar things and are so much more alike as humans than we are different.
The biggest difference that stands out to me after returning from Barcelona is my understanding of a different culture. I would never consider myself an expert, but I learned about Spanish, Barcelonian, and Hispanic culture. I learned about the things that people value most, which were pretty aligned with what most Americans value. Locals explained they valued family and friends, living every day to the fullest, and avoiding unnecessary stress that takes the fun out of life. It was evident their work culture was much more laid back yet still very effective. Their lifestyles also differed pretty heavily from the American lifestyle as it is common to see people taking a “siesta” or nap, in the middle day, and enjoying dinner around 9 pm rather than the typical 6 pm we are used to. Additionally, people in Barcelona walk to their destination most of the time and when traveling further distances, use public transportation like busses or the metro. They also purchase their groceries much more frequently than we do here in the US. It is uncommon to buy inbulk, rather they shop for a few days and make frequent trips to the supermarket or local vendor markets to purchase their fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheeses, and produce. Both the walking and the fresh food help people to be healthier and it is evident.
One conversation with my professor, Dr. Juan Morillo, at a group dinner will stick with me forever as he helped me to better understand the Spanish culture and different cultures around the world as well. He is a native Barcelonian but has lived in the UK, Madrid, United States, and has done work in countless other countries. He has also worked with international companies that have created opportunities to experience the world. He is at a minimum proficient in six languages and has a wealth of business and personal knowledge. We discussed his experience growing up in Spain, including parenting, schooling, and family life. He also taught me about college/universities in Spain from his studying and teaching experiences as well as his work experiences. I really enjoyed his insight into creating a global career and setting goals that you can achieve over time to create the life that you want to live. He explained how fortunate that he was to work with great companies, meet great people, live a few minutes from his family, and could deliver on his purpose to give back by educating students. He helped me to set goals for myself that would help me to achieve my personal and professional aspirations and I will always be thankful for his guidance.
Another experience that taught me a lot was developing relationships with members of our host organization, CEA CAPA, an organization dedicated to creating study abroad programs. Most memorably, I spent time with two individuals, Iban and Gemma, who were eager to answer all my questions and happy to share their own backgrounds. Iban had only been with the organization for a few months but explained to me what it was like to work internationally for a large company, Airbnb. He had great insight into work-life balance and finding a job that excites you and makes you want to come back each day. I shared with him my experiences and passions and he encouraged me to chase them with no regrets and smart decisions. We also talked about Spanish and American culture which was a very enlightening hour-long conversation. We bounced questions back and forth about lifestyles, social norms, and politics. Truthfully, Iban and I shared much more in common than either of us initially thought which made for a cool learning experience for both of us.
Gemma also spent time teaching me about the history of Barcelona and Catalonia as she is a native Catalonian. I didn’t know there was a conflict between Spain and Catalonia prior to arriving in Spain, but she explained to me that prior to Covid-19, it hadn’t been as peaceful as it is now. In 2017-2018, there were major protests and even riots resulting in an event known as the Catalan Crisis. Most of the conflict arose over Catalonia seeking independence from Spain. Gemma explained to me more of the inside information the news doesn’t traditionally cover and more of the Catalonian beliefs. It was certainly interesting to learn about an internal conflict in Spain and was very informative, especially learning from a local Catalonian.
The activities that were organized by the program also opened my eyes to the culture of Barcelona and Spain. We attended a private Flamenco Dance show where we learned Spanish songs and dances from local dancers. It was a fun experience and reminded me a lot of the tango that many people are familiar with. The dancers and musicians were extremely talented and did a great job of captivating us as an audience. We also participated in a cooking class with a professional chef to make Tapas, a famous cuisine of Spain. Tapas are like small plates or appetizers in the United States and are served at almost every restaurant we ate at. Typical Tapas consist of Spanish Omelets, Gazpacho, Calamari, Pan con Tomate, and more. All of these were very tasty. The chef explained the origin of tapas as food served on small plates that would cover beer and wine glasses to protect from bugs while people socialized. A very innovative and now historic and cultural Spanish dish. Both experiences were fun ways to learn about the culture.
This program and trip were completely life changing. I am so proud of myself for getting out of my comfort zone by traveling to a foreign country by myself and I can’t wait to do it again. I learned so much about myself, the people around me, and the world in just two short weeks. I now feel more globally competent, and it has inspired me to continue to pursue a global career. Additionally, it helped me with my personal goal to travel while I’m young and experience the world. I loved every minute of this transformational experience!
