Spain: Alejandra Butcher-Salazar (Food in Barcelona)

From the first few days since I arrived in Barcelona, I noticed that the food in here is heavily influenced by its environment, being a cosmopolitan city. If you are good at looking for places, I am nearly one hundred percent sure that you can find any type of food or cuisine in this fantastic city! However, taking a look at the typical local spots and the majority of the tapas bars – the shareable snack-style meals Spain is famous for – I noticed that a majority of the options are seafood which makes sense since Barcelona is right by the ocean and has a large port right on the outskirts of the city. When I asked locals about the main influences on the food in they said it is a mixture from different regions because although there are heavy Catalan influences the tapas style meals actually come from more traditionally Spanish regions such as Andalucía and others down south.

Meals are really important here in Spain, not only for health but also for everyone’s social life! It’s completely normal to spend 3-4 hours at dinner with friends and in the mornings, everyone is sitting down outside in front of coffee shops – taking your coffee to go is considered strange and incredibly American! Meals are a time to relax and enjoy social time with friends, family, and work colleagues, and although we do see this in the United States, it’s not stressed on a daily basis and would more likely be saved for special occasions or monthly catchups with a best friend. This social influence on meals is a main reason tapas are so popular here and so far, I’ve found this to be one of my favorite aspects of Spanish culture.

Before coming to Barcelona, I had never tried or heard of pintxos before. They are traditional Spanish bar snacks that include a toasted slice of baguette or other bread with any topping you can think of – from blueberry cheesecake to tomatoes and shrimp. They are a super fun snack to have with friends and I personally really enjoy them!

Alejandra Butcher-Salazar

Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin

Major: International Business and Marketing

Program: CIEE Barcelona Business and Culture

My interest in international business compels me to build cultural connections and understand how multiculturalism impacts businesses in our globalized world. Barcelona is known for its unique blend of Spanish and Catalonian culture and as a “travel hub”, attracting a wide range of people. I think it will be a relevant and exciting environment for me to build an appreciation – and perhaps skill – for bridging cultures both professionally and socially. For this reason, I believe the Barcelona Business and Culture program structure and offerings can provide me with the appropriate opportunities, education, and connections to support this goal.