Kat O\u2019Brien<\/strong> is an American, born in Davenport (Iowa), and has lived in New York. A marketing executive with a global mindset and extensive experience in fintech, she works at Emergent, an NGO managing the LEAF Coalition, and serves as president of the US Spain Executives Community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The first time I left the U.S. was at 19, to study for a semester in Spain, living with a family in Toledo. I fell in love with Spain in general, but especially with Barcelona. A friend once told me, \"Everyone should love something as much as Kat loves Barcelona.\" And it\u2019s true. I worked hard for many years to make my dream of living in Barcelona a reality\u2014to find a job that qualified for a visa and would allow me to live here. Since I was a child, I\u2019ve wanted to live in a city by the sea with a warm climate, like Barcelona. I love the city\u2019s architecture, the blend of modern and historic, the creative and entrepreneurial spirit, and the fact that its people are diverse and welcoming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Barcelona is a city that has almost everything: great weather, excellent public transport, a solid healthcare system, art, sports, gastronomy, strong connectivity, and an international vibe. But what truly sets it apart is its unique character. The strong Catalan tradition of entrepreneurship and innovation attracts people from all over the world, not only to live here but also to create and grow businesses. It\u2019s a highly appealing city for international talent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Many of Barcelona's challenges are similar to those faced by other global cities, such as the need for affordable housing. It\u2019s unacceptable that locals earning local wages struggle to find a place to live. Speculation and mass tourism play a role, but it\u2019s a complex issue that affects cities worldwide. Overall, I find Barcelona to be very safe, but more could be done to reduce theft and pickpocketing and to improve cleanliness in certain areas of the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I hope Barcelona continues to establish itself as a city with high aspirations, attracting talented people from around the world who want to work and collaborate, all while staying true to its roots and Catalan character and not leaving marginalized communities behind. I also look forward to continuing to explore and discover the hidden gems of this wonderful city. As president of the\u00a0U.S. Spain Executives Community<\/a><\/u>\u00a0, I\u2019ll do my part to help connect professionals with business interests in both countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I feel that both Barcelona and New York are my cities, and I\u2019ve felt this way for many years, even before living in Barcelona. I also want to give a special mention to my childhood city: Davenport, Iowa. While NYC and Barcelona are very different in some ways, they share a spirit of ambition, are welcoming and diverse, and are places where anyone can succeed if they\u2019re resourceful. I miss walking from Hudson River Park and the West Village to Soho\/Nolita, and across the Brooklyn Bridge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\tWhy did you choose Barcelona?<\/h2>\n
What are the city\u2019s strengths?<\/h2>\n
Which aspects of the city need to be improved? How?<\/h2>\n
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?<\/h2>\n
Which city do you consider to be your home city? What do you miss most?<\/h2>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\tEl Peri\u00f3dico<\/h6>\n\t\t\t