Multicultural: EPICS in Spain 🌍

EPICS in Action - Barcelona

March 8-16, 2025 | Spring Break Study Abroad

In Spring Break of 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in the EPICS in Action - Barcelona. Those 8 days from March 8-16 have become lifelong memories now. The trip was intended to teach students about human-centered design approach but it ended up teaching much more.

Barcelona Experience

At the Barcelona Cathedral during EPICS Spain trip

Additional Barcelona photos:
Park Güell, Sagrada Familia,
Flamenco dance lessons,
CDEI-UPC Center visits

Exploring Barcelona's architectural wonders and cultural heritage during EPICS in Action

Learning Objectives

The program combined technical learning with cultural immersion, providing a unique perspective on how engineering and design principles are applied across different cultures and contexts.

Technical Learning

Human-centered design principles and methodologies

Cultural Exchange

Understanding Spanish culture and international collaboration

Technical Visits

🏭 CDEI-UPC Centre de Disseny d'Equips Industrials

Learned about technological developments in agriculture and irrigation systems. Gained insights into how engineering solutions are adapted for Mediterranean agricultural challenges.

🌊 Spain Beach Cleanup Project

Our team working on the Spain Beach Cleanup project gained deeper insights on the user needs as well as what could be improved on the current prototype through direct interaction with local communities.

Cultural Immersion

The week forged strong cultural connections and new friendships. It was a journey that let us explore the cultural differences and similarities as well as the beautiful tourist attractions.

🏛️ Gaudí's Architecture

Witnessed the architectural intricacies of Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces, including Park Güell and Sagrada Familia, understanding how art and engineering intersect.

💃 Flamenco Dance

Learning traditional Flamenco dance provided a deeper appreciation for Spanish cultural expression and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

Key Takeaways

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Cross-Cultural Collaboration

Learned to work effectively with international teams and navigate cultural differences in professional settings.

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Global Engineering Perspectives

Understood how engineering challenges and solutions vary across different cultural and geographical contexts.

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Human-Centered Design in Practice

Applied design thinking principles in a real-world international context, understanding the importance of cultural sensitivity in engineering solutions.

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Lifelong Connections

Built lasting friendships with students from diverse backgrounds, creating a global network of future engineers and innovators.

Connection to "Joy of Living" & Personal Impact

GCSP Theme Relevance

The EPICS Barcelona experience exemplifies the "Joy of Living" theme by demonstrating how cultural exchange and international collaboration enrich our lives and expand our perspectives. True joy comes not just from material comfort, but from meaningful connections, new experiences, and understanding different ways of life. By immersing ourselves in Spanish culture—from learning Flamenco to exploring Gaudí's architectural wonders to collaborating with local communities on the Beach Cleanup project—we gained appreciation for how different cultures approach problem-solving, celebrate life, and build community. This experience showed that engineering solutions must be culturally sensitive and locally adapted to truly improve quality of life. The friendships formed, perspectives gained, and memories created during these eight days represent the type of enriching experiences that bring lasting joy and fulfillment. By learning to appreciate and learn from different cultures, we become better equipped to create solutions that enhance the "joy of living" for diverse communities worldwide.

Professional Development

This international experience has been invaluable for my professional development as a global engineer. Visiting the CDEI-UPC Center and learning about agricultural innovations in a Mediterranean context taught me how engineering solutions must be adapted to local conditions, resources, and needs—a lesson that's crucial for working on international projects. Collaborating with Spanish students and local communities on the Beach Cleanup project developed my cross-cultural communication skills and showed me how to navigate different working styles and expectations. Learning human-centered design in an international context reinforced the importance of understanding cultural context when designing solutions. These skills—cultural adaptability, international collaboration, and context-aware design—are increasingly essential in today's globalized engineering workforce. Whether working for a multinational company, collaborating on international projects, or developing products for global markets, the ability to work effectively across cultures is critical. This experience has prepared me to be a more effective engineer in international settings and has expanded my professional network to include connections across borders.

Personal Growth

This trip was transformative on a personal level. Experiencing Barcelona's rich history and vibrant culture—from the intricate details of Gaudí's architecture to the passionate expression of Flamenco dance—opened my eyes to different ways of seeing and experiencing the world. I learned that there are multiple valid approaches to problems, different definitions of success, and varied ways of finding joy and meaning in life. The friendships I formed with students from diverse backgrounds have become some of my most valued connections, and they've given me a global network of friends who challenge my assumptions and broaden my worldview. Perhaps most importantly, this experience made me more comfortable with ambiguity and unfamiliarity. Navigating a new city, communicating across language barriers, and adapting to different customs built my confidence and independence. These eight days taught me that stepping outside my comfort zone leads to the most memorable experiences and significant personal growth. I returned with not just technical knowledge, but with a deeper sense of global citizenship, greater cultural empathy, and an appreciation for the diversity that makes our world so rich and interesting. This experience has inspired me to continue seeking international opportunities and to approach life with curiosity and openness to different perspectives.

Program Highlights

Days

Cultural Activities

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Memories