Spain: Lily Breyer
Program: CIEE Barcelona Business and Culture, Spring
Major: Operations and Technology Management, and Information Systems
What is your most memorable experience from your program?
One of my most memorable experiences was seeing sustainability in action through visits to local businesses in Barcelona, such as Etnia Barcelona’s flagship store. Sustainability is something I am very passionate about and have been active in at UW-Madison. Learning about business ethics and corporate social responsibility in the classroom was valuable, but actually observing how companies implement sustainable practices in a real-world setting made it much more meaningful. It showed me how business can directly contribute to building more environmentally and socially responsible communities.
What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?
I learned that I am far more adaptable and resilient than I originally thought. Being in Barcelona put me in many new and unfamiliar environments, which pushed me to stay open-minded and flexible in different situations. I became more confident in staying calm when challenges arose and learned not to be afraid to try new things.
What challenges or barriers did you face as you prepared to go abroad and/or during your time abroad? How did you work through them?
One of my biggest challenges was adjusting to a completely new environment after growing up and going to school close to home in Wisconsin. Moving to Barcelona without knowing anyone pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I definitely felt homesick at first. I worked through this by staying open to new experiences, exploring the city, and making an effort to connect with new people. A lot of other students felt the same way, and we were able to bond over that. Over time, I became more comfortable and confident, and the experience helped me grow more independent.
Learning about business ethics and corporate social responsibility in the classroom was valuable, but actually observing how companies implement sustainable practices in a real-world setting made it much more meaningful.
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
My program academics differed from UW-Madison because I took courses through both CIEE and ESCI (Escola Superior de Comerç Internacional). At ESCI, the schedule was more accelerated, with shorter terms and longer class sessions than I was used to at Madison. Professors didn’t hold traditional office hours, but they were very responsive and willing to help if you reached out. Overall, the structure was still similar to UW-Madison, with organized units, quizzes, and midterms, along with group projects and presentations. I enjoyed the challenge and was able to adjust to the change very quickly.