Student blogger and Spanish Cultural Studies major Cassie Paulk ’13 recently arrived at University of Barcelona, where she will be living and studying for the semester. As classes begin, Paulk grapples with the task of assimilating as a matriculated student while still enjoying the tourist opportunities in Spain.

“I have been doing a lot of touristy things lately. And yeah I know, don’t be American when you are abroad, but sometimes it is okay. Yesterday I went to Sagrada Familia, and it was breathtaking. Before I came to Spain I didnt want to be a tourist, I wanted to assimilate into the Spanish culture. Well, I said that and then I saw the Sagrada Familia. It is beautiful, and it seems to be never-ending. I was in the crypt, where they have the museum with all of the pictures of the church being built, and I thought to myself ‘I’m gonna be in here forever.’ It was totally worth it though.

“I can’t wait to just wonder around my area and see what I can find.”

Read more as Paulk gets used to the eating habits of the local culture.