CAPA WORLD

Our spring 2021 CAPA blogger Andy McKenzie believes that his study abroad semester in Barcelona will be an experience of a lifetime! Check out how this University of Minnesota student will be preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime journey with a positive attitude, open mind, and realistic expectations.

We’re very excited to introduce and welcome our team of official bloggers and vloggers for spring 2021!

This semester, we have a mix of in-country and remote bloggers and vloggers sharing their unique experience either from their host countries and at-home locations. Each of them will receive a grant while they are studying with CAPA to help them generate their stories here on CAPA World. From pre-departure thoughts through their reflection upon the end of their semesters, we will watch the stories of these students unfold as they learn about their host country, explore and discover the real city beyond stereotypes and expectations, interact with locals, focus on their academics, and complete internships.

So who are they and where are they going?

Meet Andrew McKenzie, an official CAPA blogger in Barcelona, Spain for Spring 2021:

University: University of Minnesota
Major:  Marketing
Study Abroad Location: Barcelona, Spain
Internship or volunteer placement: TBC

What are you most excited for during your study abroad semester?
I’m very excited to immerse myself in the Spanish culture. I look forward to trying new foods, drinks, and experiences, all while making lifelong friendships along the way.

Barcelona is not exactly a city famous for its abundance of green space, but hop on the metro and you’ll find that, within a short ride, there are tons of stunning parks and gardens to explore. There are also exciting plans in the works for some major urban greening to take place in coming years.

Architecture can reveal key stories about a city's past or hold a vision of its future. Some of the most architecturally interesting structures are obvious, but other times they are easy to miss. Today, we take a journey through Barcelona, one of CAPA's global cities, to check out some of the architecture you should be sure to see when you study abroad.

Though it's been an unpredictable year with disruptions and upheavals, it's also presented an opportunity to embrace new ways of doing things. Remote studying and working from home can be a new territory for many. We've put together a list of resources from books to podcasts to videos on how to take a breather and focus through self-care and other practical tips before engaging back into work and school.

Every day is an adventure when you study abroad. Maya Figueroa, a CAPA Barcelona Alumna, shares 5 reasons why this city was a great fit for her — and possibly for you too! If you're looking for a multilingual and nature-filled city with an impressive art and architecture imprint, then we're here to let you know that Barcelona has all that and more to offer.

Are you ready to take a leap with a new skill and a wonderful experience in Barcelona? Today we're sharing with you some secrets to study and live abroad successfully in Spain.

Nina shares how studying abroad helped her gain new sense of appreciation for Barcelona, a city she called home for a semester. This experience also opened doors for her to peek into different parts of Europe and keep the magic of learning alive through exploring new cities and cultures. 

If you're thinking of heading to Barcelona sometime in the future, check out this blog from Nina to learn about what types of food you can expect to find in the city, including tons of vegetarian options!