When I first arrived in Barcelona for my CEA CAPA program, I expected to spend most of my time in traditional classrooms, taking notes and completing assignments like any other semester. What I didn't anticipate was how field studies (CEA CAPA’s version of interactive field trips) would become the most transformative part of my academic experience abroad, pushing me out of my comfort zone and helping me discover the city in unexpected ways. 

Touring la Universitat de Barcelona 

Documentary Class: Seeing Without Sight 

My documentary class quickly became one of my favorites, thanks to an incredibly passionate and knowledgeable instructor who understood that the best way to learn about storytelling was to experience the world from different perspectives. The small class size allowed me to really get to know my classmates throughout the semester as well as giving me the opportunity for individualized feedback and attention from the professor.  

One of our most memorable field studies involved exploring La Rambla, Barcelona's famous pedestrian street, while blindfolded. Yes, blindfolded. With jackets tied around our heads, we paired up with classmates who served as our guides through the busy streets. Initially, I felt pretty self-conscious walking around in broad daylight looking like I was participating in some strange performance art piece, and we received many curious stares and occasional chuckles. But something interesting happened as we continued our journey. I began to rely on my other senses and started experiencing La Rambla in a completely new way. I started to hear the street musicians' melodies mixing with the conversations in multiple languages, smell the flowers from vendor stalls, and feel the textured pavement beneath my feet. The familiar route I walked to class every day became completely foreign and unexpected. When we returned to write about our experience, I was amazed by how much detail I had absorbed through sound, smell, and touch alone. 

This exercise served as unexpected exposure therapy for me. I became immune to the strange looks we were receiving and instead found myself laughing and having fun guiding my classmates through busy crowds and back alleyways. It became a bonding moment for me and my partner too, as it took a surprising amount of trust to completely depend on my classmate to not run me into a wall. After the exercise, other partners shared similar experiences and some even had funny encounters with intrigued strangers who approached them and asked them to join in. 

A picture of Las Ramblas for my documentary class 

Another powerful exercise challenged us to venture into the city alone and objectively observe a scene or setting, then write extensively about what we saw. I chose a small coffee shop and initially struggled to fill more than a paragraph about what seemed like an unremarkable moment between a barista and customer. However, as I forced myself to dissect the encounter, I discovered many details could be extracted from just paying a little extra attention. The slight look of disinterest on the barista's face, the steady drumming of the customer’s fingers on the counter, the flash of a metallic business card in their wallet. I refrained from making any assumptions, focusing only on the concrete details of the moment at hand. This field study showed me how sometimes the simplest exercises are the most effective and has given me a new go-to whenever I become stuck in a writing rut.  

Spanish Class Language Exchange 

My Spanish language class took field studies to another level by facilitating genuine cultural exchange. We visited the nearby Universitat de Barcelona, where we toured the campus and got a glimpse into Spanish university life. But the real magic happened during a language exchange session where we sat in an actual classroom with Spanish students. 

For thirty minutes, we practiced our Spanish and then switched languages as they practiced English, sharing details of our lives, cities, and experiences. These weren't just academic exercises; they were genuine conversations between students from completely different cultures. We learned about each other's best friends and favorite teams and got recommendations for restaurants with the cheapest tapas and discotecas with the best music. By the end, we were exchanging social media contacts and making plans to meet for cafés or nights out. Becoming friends with these local students were some of my most invaluable connections I made abroad, and they provided a gateway to a true understanding of the culture and people of Spain.  

Chatting with some friends from Spanish class 

Social Impact Through Café Culture 

One of the most impactful field studies took us to Mescladís, a unique café that employs and supports people seeking jobs and citizenship in Spain. While enjoying delicious coffee and tapas, we listened to the owner share the café's mission and impact on the local community. It was so cool to get to hear directly from the founder about why and how he started this business, and I was truly touched by his passion towards social and environmental sustainability. Learning about this small business organized around positive change opened my eyes to the ways local entrepreneurs are working to create meaningful change in their communities. If you are coming to Barcelona, I highly recommend paying a visit to one of the three locations for yummy food, friendly people, or an inspiring and educational story.  

Mescladís, a cafe celebrating diversity and sustainability 

Cinema and Culture 

My Spanish cinema class extended learning beyond traditional film analysis by taking us to a local film festival. We watched Spanish films and wrote reviews, but the experience was elevated by the opportunity to meet and speak with some of the directors whose work we were studying. These interactions provided invaluable insights into the Spanish film industry and creative process that no textbook could have provided. 

The director of a short film discussing her work at D’A Film Festival Barcelona 

The Lasting Impact 

These field studies became an integral part of my study abroad experience, offering something traditional classrooms simply cannot: authentic cultural immersion. They challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, engage with locals, and experience Barcelona through multiple perspectives and senses. They showed me places I never would have discovered by myself and truly allowed me to connect with my new home for the semester.