Barcelona journal: learning and living in the world - American studies Spanish culture and language

BARCELONA, SPAIN

At the seaside end of Barcelona's most famous boulevard, La Rambla, soars a statue of Christopher Columbus, his right arm stretching west, his outward gaze fixed on the horizon. The statue represents the pervasive mindset of Catalonia: a country must always look toward and appreciate other cultures and nations to learn and grow.

During a 10-day stint to northeastern Spain as part of an international seminar based at the University of Barcelona, I discovered this mentality is shared and taught by many at the university. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, it's a phrase I've also heard in the United States, during interactions with sources and colleagues. After I returned from Barcelona, it resurfaced at a news conference on foreign students and international studies. Dr. Judith Kipper, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says American students must travel abroad and learn that they "live in the world" and not just in the United States.

Reflecting on my Spanish adventure, I can say that I tried to do just that--to live in the world, taking Barcelona for a classroom: I spoke the language, asked questions, read up on the city's history and explored the culture. In doing so, I learned more in 10 days than I did in some forgettable 12-week international-relations courses I survived as an undergraduate. And I discovered that what both the Spanish and American policy-wonks were saying was true, that delving into another culture is the best way to learn, and hopefully, to understand.

TALKING THE TALK

Barcelona is a polyglot, where the natives often speak at least three languages, including Spanish, English and Catalan, one of the romance languages that sounds something like a mixture of French, Italian and Portuguese. Dr. Carmen Barbosa-Torralbo, the leader of my seminar and director of the Brethren Colleges Abroad program in Barcelona, spoke all three languages fluently, as well as Italian and French. She said one of the first tasks American students studying at the University of Barcelona undertake is language immersion. In addition to formal classroom training, students are assigned to live with a family in Barcelona, with whom they learn to speak Spanish on a daily basis. Barbosa-Torralbo says the language often overwhelms the American students at first, but it takes little time for most to become adept at speaking and understanding. Once they do, she said, their confidence climbs, and they finish their studies not wanting to leave Barcelona.

During my first few days in Barcelona, I too experienced the language trepidation Barbosa-Torralbo mentioned. Though I studied Spanish in high school and college, I found myself stumbling on phrases, jumbling pronunciations and asking natives to slow down or to repeat themselves. I've never been so acutely aware of language and how vital it is to accomplishing the most basic tasks. I felt it when I needed to order extra towels from the hotel concierge, when I was buying a cup of coffee and when I got lost wandering the city and needed directions. Still I forced myself to speak Spanish. After about a week, my discomfort gave way to some measure of confidence, and my speed and pronunciation improved.

Had I lapsed back into the comfort of English, I wouldn't have connected as well with the locals, something I realized one morning at breakfast. I checked in with the hostess in Spanish, who kindly thanked me and was then met by a group of Frenchmen trying to speak to her in French. Figuring she didn't speak French, they switched to English and increased their volume several notches, still unsure if she'd understand. Somewhat irritated, she responded, "Yes, English, thank you," and marched off.

CULTURAL MOSAIC

As I padded around Barcelona, I noticed how the city has been, and continues to be, influenced by a host of other cultures. Before Spain existed, different groups dominated Barcelona, including the Romans, the Visigoths, the Franks and the Moors. Each group made their mark, which is clear in the architecture of the Gothic Quarter, where the city was originally established.

Steve Gonzales, a seminar participant and law instructor at the University of LaVerne in Southern California, says he believes the traces of history make Barcelona one of the most compelling cities in Europe, especially for American students.

"The layers of Spain's ages seemed so visible in Barcelona, like exposed sedimentary levels. The Roman, Gothic, Moorish, Middle Ages, right up to recent centuries still influence architecture, culture and lifestyle. In America, by contrast, we are constantly tearing down and re-building. Anything over 30 years seems ancient," Gonzales says.

France, Italy and North Africa also have made an impact on Barcelona.

Lourdes Montoro, an associate professor at the Official School of Languages in Barcelona, said that in many ways France has influenced Barcelona more than other parts of Spain have.

Gonzales says this ability to borrow from other cultures is one the city's strongest assets.