Architecture in Southern Europe : Reviews (Barcelona)

I really enjoyed going to the older cities and sites. I loved visiting the Alhambra, walking through the historic streets of Granada, and especially going to Toledo. I would love to spend more time in Toledo if I ever find myself in Spain again.

My favorite part of this program was getting to see all of the unique architecture in Barcelona, Spain. We started off the trip with the Sagrada Familia, which is the most breathtaking work of architecture I have seen to date, and we got to see a lot of the work of Gaudi. He has a very unique architectural style that is present throughout a lot of Spain which was really awesome to see.

I loved touring the cathedrals and other religious spaces. They are some of the largest structures in Europe and are designed to spark wonderment in its viewers. No doubt anybody would feel the same walking into the Sagrada Familia for the first time! The work that goes into these buildings is well-articulated by the knowledgeable tour guides hired for the group. If you are particularly interested in the religious history of Southern Europe, this is the trip to go on!

My favorite part of this program was truly the organization of the trip. Because everything was coordinated and well planned, it allowed for us students to have a great experience balancing seeing wonderful architecture as a group while also having our own personal experiences exploring in smaller circles.

The most rewarding part of the trip was getting to experience another culture by ourselves. The time outside of our scheduled tours was spent exploring the city, talking to people, visiting stores, etc. We were able to function like the locals and see what each city had to offer. For me, it was rewarding getting to use my Spanish language skills and communicate with people in their own language, and it made it feel like me effort in learning the language paid off.

I found the guided days to be the most rewarding. While they may drag on at times, talking to the guides individually reveals a lot about the things you want to know about the place you are in. This was especially helpful in writing the required research paper that is due after the program finishes.

This program offers an unmatched architectural experience. The amazing works we saw completely changed the way I think about architecture. Additionally, the exposure to culture changed my perspective on life. I had never been abroad before, and this experience really showed me an aspect of education that can't really be taught, only experienced.

I learned that there are a lot of different ways to use architecture than just residential or commercial buildings.

I learned a lot about independence and self-reliance. If you haven't traveled alone before, you'll learn a lot on how to do things on your own. Europe is not like America, but the teachers are very helpful since they have done the trip before. There are also plenty of online resources and recommendations for places to shop, explore, or just have a good time. As for the busier days, be prepared for heat and sun and bring a smile to every day, because you only get to see everything once. Apply for this program with someone you know, and if not, it's never too hard to make some new friends.