Javier Krauel

Did you study abroad as a student? What was your international experience like?

When I was growing up in Spain in the 1980s, the most popular foreign language was English. At 10 I started learning English, and when I turned 11 my parents decided I was old enough to study in England for part of the summer. I lived with a host family for 5 weeks and took English classes at a local academy in Lowestoft, a small town in Suffolk county.

In your opinion, why should CU Boulder students study abroad?

Because it is an eye-opening experience, it is a wonderful introduction to the realities of living in a globalized world.

What are the benefits of studying literature and culture in Barcelona?

As a city with a history over 2,000 years old, Barcelona is the ideal site for our program! We take advantage of the endless pedagogical possibilities the city has to offer and we turn them into classroom spaces where students learn to appreciate dreamlike architecture, medieval palaces and churches, and world-class museums; the city is also a space where students are free to explore, wander, get lost, and appreciate other ways of living.

What is your favorite thing to share about Spanish/Catalonian culture?

Living in beautiful (but landlocked) Colorado for most of the year, I can’t wait to take a swim in the Mediterranean sea, enjoy some delicious seafood by the seashore, and spend some time with the people, the city, and the languages (Spanish and Catalan) with which I grew up.

What aspect of this program do you look forward to the most?

Learning how US students see my home culture, and seeing how immersing themselves in a foreign culture changes them.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don’t miss the opportunity to study abroad! CU offers amazing programs all over the world, and the staff at Education Abroad is incredibly helpful. Fill out your application today!

Last Updated January 2024