Allie Gowen
Civil Engineering
University of Missouri
Studied Abroad at SIS
Allie is a Civil Engineering major from the University of Missouri, and studied abroad through a Customized Program during Spring 2015.
What are you up to these days? Have you graduated? Are you working? How did your experience in Barcelona have an impact on your life?
Traveling to cities around the country and visiting famous architecture (The Aqueducts and churches). I graduated in December of 2015. I am an engineering intern this summer at Ameren in St. Louis, MO.
If you were to sum up your Barcelona experience in one to two words, what would you say? My Barcelona Experience is…
educational wanderlust
Explain why you chose those words.
I really wanted to go to Spain for two reasons: to learn about the diversity of engineering in another country and I love to travel. I don’t speak any Spanish, so choosing Spain was a bit scary, but I wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone because I feel like I’d have to dive into the culture and be able to learn more that way. Sustainability is important to me, so traveling to various countries around the world will help me as an engineer to better understand how other countries work and keep their system running. This experience will only help me as an engineer to be more open and understanding of different people and different ways to go about going things.
What was your favorite tour, day trip, or cultural activity? Why?
I really enjoyed visiting the Sagrada Familia. As a civil engineer, I can really appreciate the architecture and design that went into constructing this massive structure.
What was something you were surprised to learn about Barcelona or Spain? Or what aspect of the country or city were you least expecting?
I was surprised how diverse the entire country is. Every different area has its own language and culture, so it felt like I was getting to experience multiple countries and cultures at the same time.
What is one piece of advice that you have for future students coming to Barcelona?
Definitely go out of your comfort zone! Try and talk to locals and see what suggestions they have for places to eat or visit. I got a more unique experience that way and was able to see things other than the typical tourist attractions.
