The neighborhood of Gracia, in Barcelona, with its intriguingly decorated stores, calm atmosphere, and chic coffee shops is a surprisingly tranquil escape from the tourist-heavy lanes of the old city. Gracia is still fairly central and attracts a lot of attention; however, it’s residential vibe is unmistakable. As I walked around in the late afternoon sun, with the birds flying in between the trees that lined the sidewalks, I couldn’t help but feel irritated that I hadn’t discovered the neighborhood sooner.

As I was considering various study abroad locations, I had very little idea what to expect from a climate standpoint. In fact, I didn’t do a single bit of research into the weather of different places, even when I began the process of packing. What I would discover as the months rolled along is I needed to suddenly learn how to dress for cold weather.