Transcript

Ola Toros Welcome to Beyond Las Ramblas, the podcast where we explore the intersections of identity, study abroad, and all things Barcelona, Spain. Through the power of first person narratives. Our entire season is full of voices of men reflecting on their growth and their experiences in Barcelona. Vulnerability is something that men are not taught to wear on their sleeve. To adapt, you necessarily have to show some vulnerability. I thought no matter what, I was going to have a fun time in Barcelona and that I'd have available time to go have fun with my friends or go play soccer and do what I want to do. And I definitely wanted the homestay to be somewhat of an anchor, like a concrete way in which I learned more about the culture instead of having it completely navigate it on my own. Literally just go. We should not let fear or anxiety stop us from taking advantage of an invaluable experience. I knew that I'd be stepping into a space where it wouldn't feel as isolating to be queer, to be gay, seeing that there are spaces in which we can simply exist. Help me to embrace my identity completely. I do think that, like some of the US, gender roles definitely don't encourage men to kind of go out looking for a lot of new. And different things and experiences. I also do think that you universities and colleges haven't done a good enough job of creating meaningful ways to educate men in higher education about study abroad. As a first generation American, I feel like sometimes there's a lot of pressure, you know, to to succeed, to perform with studying abroad. It was like a taking a deep breath and just relaxing. And not having to worry about putting up walls. My advice is to be you and be unapologetic about it.