Trip to Tarragona

This weekend, IES Abroad Barcelona took us on an unforgettable trip to Tarragona, a beautiful city on the coast of Catalonia, Spain. The weekend was filled with history, culture, food, and plenty of opportunities to meet other students in the program. It was the perfect combination of learning and having fun.

One of the highlights of the trip was touring the ancient Roman circus and amphitheater ruins. The circus was once used for chariot races, while the amphitheater hosted large public events and gladiator contests. I enjoyed learning how important Tarragona was during the Roman Empire and how many parts of the city’s past are still visible today. Climbing towers and seeing the mix of historical and new architecture was really interesting.

We also had the chance to participate in a traditional human pyramid, known as a “castell.” This Catalonian tradition involves groups of people working together to build a human tower. It was exciting to be part of something so unique to the region and important to the culture, and was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The experience showed me how Catalonian culture values cooperation and community, and helped bring the group of IES Abroad students together.

In the evening, we had dinner together, which was a great way to relax after a busy day. Sharing a meal gave us the opportunity to talk, laugh, and get to know people we had not met before. One of my favorite parts of studying abroad has been meeting students from different backgrounds, and this trip made those connections even stronger. We then had the opportunity to go to the beautiful beaches and explore local spots around town. I loved getting closer with other students, while also meeting locals from Tarragona and hearing their recommendations for how to spend my semester in Barcelona.

The next day, we toured a monastery and learned more about the area’s religious and architectural history, then we enjoyed a traditional Catalonian lunch. Trying local food was one of the best parts of the weekend because it gave us another way to experience the culture. Spanish culture emphasizes enjoying your meals, not rushing through them, so we spent a few hours eating and trying different traditional Catalonian foods.

Overall, I loved my weekend in Tarragona. I learned a lot about Roman history and Catalonian traditions, met many new people in the program, and had an incredible amount of fun. The trip reminded me that studying abroad is about more than attending classes; it is also about exploring new places, embracing different cultures, and creating memories that will last long after the program ends.