Margaret Tsai

Arcadia – Arcadia in Barcelona – Barcelona, Spain (summer 2012)

My name is Margaret Tsai and I’m currently a sophomore Biology major in the Physical Therapy program. I studied the language and culture of Barcelona the summer of 2012. I chose to go to Spain for various reasons but one being that I wanted to learn another language. I was one of those that took Spanish in high school but never really did anything with it. Going to Barcelona, I immediately emerged myself into the culture and now I have even adjusted my schedule at Ramapo to fit in Spanish classes to further learn the language. Studying abroad brought so many memories and I’ve created so many friends that I am still in contact with. Just being able to take an overnight train to Madrid, a bus ride to northern Spain to celebrate my birthday, visiting Camp Nou (the soccer stadium of Barcelona F.C.), and Spain winning Euro 2012 were just some of the most memorable things we did. Having to be independent and learning about yourself, the life skills and opportunities studying abroad has brought me is all worthwhile. I have a new love for traveling and a new found appreciation for art with some of the most important architects and artists hailing from Barcelona. If you study abroad, you will find yourself breaking away from your norms and be able to see the world in a different light.