Kotaro Shiraishi

 I was interested in Spanish architecture and wanted to explore the area while studying abroad.

 The best part of studying abroad was how I could experience the local culture by staying for a longer period of time. When I travel, I often end up just going to famous tourist sites and cannot experience the culture really well. However, as I stayed more than a month in the same place (Barcelona), I could fully enjoy exploring the city to the level which would be difficult if I was just a tourist staying in the place for a week or so. For instance, one of the local friends I met at the UCEAP program took me to an event called "Castello," a traditional local festival where local residents, from little children to adults, cooperate to make a tall human tower. Before I went to Spain, I had never even heard of that festival, but going there and feeling the energy and pride of people was one of the most memorable experiences for me.

 The biggest challenge was the difference in lifestyle, especially in a daily schedule. For example, in Spain, people typically eat dinner later than in the US and other countries, around 8-10. As a morning type of person who used to eat dinner around 6-7, I struggled to adjust to the local culture for the first few days. As time passed, though, I was able to adjust to the difference by establishing a balance between eating out late at night and making a meal by myself at my usual meal time.