Submitted by Callie Shanley on the 2017 winter session program in Spain and Rome sponsored by the Department of Political Science and International Relations…
Last night in Barcelona, I was lucky enough to attend an FC Barcelona game. Some members of my group and I had bought tickets when the game was announced for a relatively cheap price and we were so excited to experience something we had heard such good things about. The game started a little after 9:00 pm so before the game, we met up with some other UD students that were in Barcelona for the semester to get some dinner by Camp Nou, the stadium that FC Barcelona plays at. Once inside, we were amazed by the excitement in the air and realized that soccer to them is as dominating as football is in the United States. The atmosphere was incredible and it was enjoyable being around so many people who were so invested in the outcome of the game and the action unfolding on the field before us. Since it was the quarterfinals of the Copa Del Rey and was therefore a knockout round, the crowd was seemingly always cheering. Though I was obviously less invested than the spectators around me, I still enjoyed cheering along with the crowd and was thrilled when FC Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 5-2. Unfortunately, last night was one of our final nights in Spain which is upsetting because I had so much fun enjoying all the cities and learning about Spanish culture. Luckily, we still have some time left in Italy and I am thrilled to have the chance to go to Rome with the group and Venice, Florence and Pisa on our three day break. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to travel around Europe for the past month or so and I can’t express my gratitude to those who have helped made it possible.