Alex Renkis Spain 2017

Madrid

Although my legs were aching from the long flight overseas, I was eager to explore the city along with my fellow group members. Through our time together eating and talking, everyone grew to become fast friends over the first week. My Experiment in International Living (EIL) program focused on social innovation and urbanism, so we ended up working to improve a local park in an impoverished region of Madrid. After surveying the populace to discover that the park lacked basic equipment such as lights and trash bins, my group set to work on a solution. We mapped out all the positives and negatives of the location as shown in the first picture below and proceeded to laser-cut and 3D-print models of our proposed ideas. The experience was amazing to me because I felt as if I were more than a tourist. I could converse with the Spanish people and hear their opinions about a a park for which they so deeply care. We ultimately put all our ideas together for one final proposal to better the conditions of the park. 

Gathering local opinion to improve a park in an under-served neighborhood

The finished model of the park using 3D-printers and laser-cutters

Valencia

We arrived in Valencia following a relatively brief bus ride. Because the program centered on social innovation, we met up with a group of cycling activists in the city center featured in the first image below. We learned about the problems that many cyclists face in Valencia over the course of several seminars. To make our insights pragmatic, we would measure the speed of cars and overall noise level of several parts of the city that contained a bike lane. I even received the opportunity to participate in a "critical mass" wherein a large quantity of bikers rode throughout the streets. Although the predominant language in Valencia is Catalan, most people still spoke Castilian Spanish, and consequently, I could practice my abilities while learning about a local issue. Aside from our cycling activism, we took paella-making lessons and visited informative locations such as the local science and oceanographic museums.  

Sign in the city square - "Great Valencian Fair"

Group photo outside of the science museum

Mallorca

My home-stay came next on the trip. Although I felt nervous preparing to meet my host family, my worries quickly subsided after they welcomed me in the airport at one in the morning. Thanks to my host-sister Jessica and her friends, I acclimated myself to the Mallorcan youth culture. The majority of teenagers there stay out very late into the night to enjoy the local festivities. In the town of Portol where I was staying, the nighttime offered a vibrant atmosphere via the live music and social gathering. Events ranged from fireworks to parades of fire-breathers—I had my picture taken with one such performer below. Although I spent the majority of my time dancing, going to the beach, and socializing away from my other group members, my whole group went to several seminars focusing on Mallorca's resource and tourism quandaries. For instance, we toured a recycling plant to learn about the extensive conservation efforts in place. The city center of Palma showed us how much tourism had benefited the economy but raised concerns about the sustainability of such a practice. We also painted a mural in an under-served neighborhood to improve the sense of community there. Overall, I improved my Spanish and cultural awareness the most while in Mallorca because of the reasons stated above.

Meeting the master of ceremonies in the town of Portol

Sailboats off the southern coast of Mallorca

Barcelona

Finally, we arrived in Barcelona with heavy hearts that our trip was drawing to a close. We did not allow this fact to dampen our spirits, however. The last part of my trip offered a rich cultural insight into the history of the city. We witnessed magnificent churches amidst the astonishing architecture of Gaudí and the Romans. For instance, we visited two architectural works of Gaudí: Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia—the former once being a vacation grounds for the rich and the latter being a (still under-construction) cathedral. Quite frankly, the second picture below does not do the splendor of the church nearly enough justice. Since Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic Games, we also hiked above the city to view the competition grounds and a nearby decommissioned military fort pictured below. Suddenly, the last day crept up on me, and I was on my way home to Nashville. Despite my sadness in leaving both Spain and my newfound friends behind, I knew I would always carry the memories with me. 

Group photo from a military fort overlooking the city

Interior of the Sagrada Familia cathedral

Gracias

I wish to express my gratitude to the Wilson family and all of the people at Montgomery Bell Academy who made this experience possible. These grants offer students once in a lifetime experiences that tie in their academic pursuits to real-world scenarios. I appreciate the outstanding efforts of the language department and those of my mentor Sr. Paolicchi in particular for this golden opportunity. I am honored to have been given the chance to travel to Spain as none of this trip would be possible without the benevolence of the Wilson family.