Arriving in Barcelona

By Annabelle Henderson, Esade Business School, Barcelona

I have been in Barcelona for just over a month now, studying at Esade, and I am having so much fun! To tell you about the last month, firstly, I arrived towards the end of August, a week before starting my exchange at the university. I had no idea what to expect and didn’t know anybody else in Barcelona when I arrived. But, I was excited about my new adventure and exploring a city where life is so different from that in Manchester.

My accommodation is very central to the city, and is a co-living apartment. I was overjoyed when I first saw it: it has a balcony from my bedroom and overall feels very authentically Spanish. The people I share the apartment with were very accommodating but in the beginning I felt a bit lost as it was so different to when I first arrived in Manchester and was living in student halls. Because of this and the fact I didn’t know anybody, I found the first week or so quite lonely and wondered whether I’d made the right decision to move abroad. But, I can now confirm after a month of living in Barcelona that it is the BEST decision I have ever made.

I soon began making friends when I started the university. In fact, I was overwhelmed with how many people I was meeting and how sociable everybody was. There were events and plans to attend every night and I soon forgot all about the thought of wanting to go home! I found it a challenge with the language barrier in the beginning, because I don’t speak any Spanish. However, I have taken Spanish classes at the university and am beginning to understand phrases and sentences and can easily get by. Similarly, the lifestyle here is so different! Everybody eats very late and it was a bit of a culture shock. But, I absolutely love it now and it suits me well especially on the days when I have classes until 8pm!

Overall, there is so much to do here. I have loved going for tapas with friends after class, to the beach to play volleyball in the evenings, and exploring nearby coastal towns on the weekends. With Barcelona being so well-connected to other cities it has also been so easy to travel. I currently have Lisbon booked for next week and am hoping to explore more nearby European cities.

My first month has been better than I could have even imagined. I’ve met people from all over the world and feel more inspired than ever to explore new cultures. I am so glad I took the opportunity to study abroad this year and really feel I am already growing so much as person. For anyone considering going on exchange, know that it may come with its challenges and adjusting can take time. But trust me – it’s absolutely worth it. Now I can’t imagine leaving! I am excited to see what the next month will bring and the new adventures that lie ahead.