Penn Abroad Ambassador Cecilia Duncan

Program:

•  SA: CASA: Barcelona

Ask me about...

• Being in a CASA program

• Learning in another language

• Having an internship abroad

• Planning weekend trips

• Navigating the metro 

My Experience Abroad:

I participated in the CASA Barcelona program and studied at the University of Barcelona. Learning in Spanish greatly improved my language skills. I took formative courses like History of Avant-Garde Art and the Spanish Transition to Democracy. Much of my coursework focused on Spanish political history, which furthered my cultural enrichment and aligned well with my Political Science major. In addition, CASA matched me to an internship at the Barcelona Institute of International Studies (IBEI), where I researched European military spending and wrote blog articles for the IBEI website. I was so grateful for this experience to study European international relations, especially since I hope to work in the field of international human rights.

My experience abroad was also conducive to meaningful personal growth. I was nervous coming into my program because I didn’t know anybody, but the small size of the CASA program created strong bonds within my cohort. Some of my closest friends at Penn I met when abroad, and now I can’t imagine this school without them. Navigating a new city made me more independent and street smart. I also cherished Barcelona’s rich culture, from Gaudí to tapas to old churches and musical symphonies. I traveled to ten different countries on weekend trips, which I never could've done if not for being abroad. I so loved my experience and am excited to return to Spain one day.

Other Highlights:

• Acquainting myself with Antonio Gaudí's modernist architecture through visits to the Sagrada Familia cathedral, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló

• Exploring Barcelona's tapas scene and trying local favorites like bread with tomato, croquettes, patatas bravas, and crema catalana

• Taking an impromptu trip  to Amsterdam during tulip season to visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens. The gardens were bursting with color and truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever been!

• Going on a day trip with my program to Sitges, a small beach town 30 minutes south of Barcelona, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea with my new friends

• Celebrating Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day), the national feast day of Catalonia, where locals flock the streets to exchange books and roses. I ended up with a book and a rose!