First week In Barcelona

I arrived safely to Barcelona Monday morning on September 30th. I arrived with a cold. This cold made me feel horrible and I had to blow my nose constantly. I meant a girl named Tanya that arrived around the same time I did. We both were excited. We got to know each other when we road in the taxi together to be dropped off at our host families.

I was excited to meet my family but I also felt horrible because of my cold. My host mom knows a good about of English to communicate. She is super sweet and nice. My first day, when she was explaining everything to me, she explained a lot of it in Spanish. Thankfully, I could understand what she was talking about because of what she was pointing at in the room. She used enough English words to give me clues. Right then, I realized I have a lot to learn. That’s when I started getting fears that I won’t bond with her much because of the language barrier. I realized it will be a process and a journey to get better at Spanish and bond with my family.

Monday afternoon, I meant my host brother after I went to orientation. He is 8 years old. He doesn’t know any English. This makes it difficult to talk to him and bond. Tuesday morning, I went to cultural orientation which was really good. I was thankful to meet some other people in my program.

Tuesday was a really fun day with my friend Tanya. After cultural orientation, Tanya and I explored Barcalona. We went to the Gothic corner and we ran into many cute stores to shop in. We found out that the stores are cheaper here.

Wednesday, I had my meeting at my school I am interning at which is called Escola Castella. I found out my schedule at the school. I will be interning Monday through Thursday at 9am. Monday and Wednesday I will intern at 9am to 4:30pm but I will have a break from 1-3pm. Tuesday and Thursday I will work 9am to 1pm. I really like that my schedule is open and I have alot of free time to explore and rest.
This is a catalon school but most of the teachers know spanish and can speak some english. My supervisor there is really good at speaking in English.

I found out that I will help teach 4-5 year olds in the morning with the Special Ed Teacher. I will help another teacher teach Science in English to 4th-6th grade. I will help teach art and crafts to 1st through 6th grade in English. My supervisor wants their students to practice speaking in English with me.

Thursday was my first day. My supervisor informed me which students were special needs and which students that need extra help with their english. I started learning some phrases in Catalon so I can help in the classroom. I love the students and I am excited to teach them English and learn more Catalon and Spanish.

Friday, all of the interns in the program had a mentor meeting together to discuss how we were doing. That was a great time meeting more people in my program. We had a tour of the Rambla Del Raval area. Friday night three of us girls, went to Barcelo Hotel Raval in Rambla Del Raval area to see the sunset over looking Barcelona. It was beautiful. We had a fun time getting to know each other. We enjoyed a Tapas restuarant. We went to Jazzsi music bar later that night to experience that culture.

Saturday, four of us girls went to Tibidabo. Tibidabo is a place in the mountains that has a beautiful view of Barcelona and it’s an amusement park too. We had a lot of fun riding some rides and enjoyed the beautiful view.

Sunday was an amazing day. I went to church at International Church of Barcelona. I felt at home in that church. I meant two other girls there that were studying and interning and living in homestay in Barcelona too. We decided immediately after church to get coffee. We had great conversations talking about our experiences with culture shock and adjusting here in barcelona. Another Christian girl from Holland, who is studying in Barcelona, came to have coffee with us too. We all agreed it was very refreshing to talk and get to know each other. I am excited to grow in friendship with them over my time here. I am very thankful that God put them in my life because it’s a blessing to know I have friends here with the same beliefs.

Sunday, I explored Barcelona and went into a free museum. My brother here in Barcelona and I, had a pillow fight and we found an app we can use to communicate. We had a fun time bonding even though he only speaks spanish and no English. I am constantly trying to learning new spanish words.

Over all, Its been an amazing first week in Barcelona. I am very thankful how God orchestrates gifts to make sure we have all that we need in the midst of change. He knows our hearts so well! I am grateful for this dream that has came true. I am loving the culture, my friends, and my host family here.