My summer in Barcelona, Spain was an incredible experience that fostered growth both personally and professionally. Barcelona was a lively city with history, art, gorgeous beaches, and fantastic music. The culture ignited an excitement in me to learn more, experience more, and meet as many people as possible. The people I have met here are from all around the world. I have made friends from Russia, France, Spain, England, and Italy that I will have forever. There is nothing like meeting a few strangers and growing closer through traveling around Barcelona. La Sagrada Familia is magical, and Gaudi’s other work around the city is equally as breathtaking. The nightlife is unreal, often times the clubs do not even open until 2 AM. The city itself was catalyst for adventure and laughter.

My internships showed me another side of Barcelona. I worked at a children’s hospital and an outpatient facility for adults with mental illness. I saw a community come to support those in need. My internship showed me how Spanish culture facilitates rehabilitation for adults experiencing schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, and personality disorders. I ran an art therapy group session every Wednesday where I learned about their day-to-day lives, the stigma, the support from others, and their personal creativity. I learned how to be present and listen to those in care.

The children’s hospital taught me the importance of compassion and bringing joy to children and their families in care. In the morning I would go to children’s hospital rooms and sit with them while their parents would get breakfast or take a break. Those moments with kids ranging from a few months old to thirteen, I will treasure forever. Sometimes all they wanted was someone to hold their hand as they slept, other times I talked with them and played games. In the afternoon I would go to the chemo/dialysis unit or the child psychiatric unit. Both were so drastically different but equally rewarding. I am so grateful to have this experience to remember them by. This experience was deeply impacting and I owe it all to Connect-123! Thank you all for la vida en Barcelona!