Ever dreamed of a city that not only stops all types of activity from two p.m. to five p.m. in the afternoon, but also parties till six o’clock in the morning? Then you have never been to 
Barcelona, Spain. “What happens in Barcelona, stays in Barcelona,” J.D. Wolfe states as we return back home from our trip, but Barcelona was much more than a city that knew how to entertain their guests. The city is also filled with some of the most magnificent and stunning artwork, architecture, and an experience one will never forget.
During spring break 2013 Christian Brothers University took students, family, and friends to visit and study in Barcelona, Spain and Carcassonne, France. Not only were we taken out of our comfort zone, being my first time out of the country, but we were easily adapted due the the group we were with and the outstanding kindness of everyone in the city.
“‘Take the path less traveled’: The cab rides in Barcelona were always eventful. For 
example, when no one spoke a lick of Spanish except for me and we got dropped off in an alley behind our hotel. We were all thinking our cab driver was going to kill us and he actually led us directly back to where we were suppose to be,” says University of Memphis student, Melody Caldwell. Most of the greatness of the trip should be accredited to the CBU study abroad program. Their tentativeness and particulars to detail made this trip a trip I will never forget. Honestly, my first time out of the country was with the CBU study abroad program, I graduate in May, and I am planning on going abroad with them again in 2014.
”CBU Study Abroad trips are extraordinary for students of all ages. Our trip to Barcelona last month was an experience not to be forgotten. Seeing the Sagrada Familia and La 
Pedrera, strolling down La Rambla, dining at tapas bars, ascending Montjuic on the funicular, descending to the Underground City Museum to see excavations of Barcelona 2,000 years ago, enjoying a Flamenco performance, traveling to the Salvador Dali museum and the unbelievable medieval city of Carcassonne, France were all feasts for the senses. Our walking classroom led us to places beyond our expectations, and we were amazed,” says Ms. Barbara Kernan (and put very well I might add). I will always hold that week abroad with CBU near to my heart. You do not just learn about a new culture, you gain a deeper understanding for who you are as a person. For that, I thank CBU for having such a phenomenal itinerary planned for us in which we got to participate and live fully as a part of Barcelona, Spain and Carcassonne, France.” -Taylor Tartera, English ’13
You can view more photos on the Study Abroad’s Facebook page or Spain album.
Albert Furnells Ribas is a member of the soccer team here at CBU from Barcelona, Spain. In order to get to know about him and his native country, we asked him a few questions about his home town and his stay here in America. This is what he had to say…
Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald is the director of the Minority Health International Research Training (MHIRT) program and travels to Brazil every year to help recruit new students, teachers, and meet with current faculty and participants.
She has also experienced the metropolitan life in Brazilian cities like Rio and many others. She says “…Each city is different and has it’s own charm.” But no matter where you go, her advice is to explore the country and all that the culture has to offer. Dr. Fitzgerald will be traveling back to Brazil again this summer.