5 Things I wish I knew before studying abroad in Barcelona
Have you decided to become an international student and study abroad in Barcelona? Are you excited to experience this amazing city but don’t know where to start? Well you’re in the right place! I just completed a year as an international student in Barcelona at ESEI International Business School and I am so excited to share the 5 things I wish I knew before moving to Barcelona for University!
1º - Finding Student Housing in Barcelona
Barcelona is famous for scammers and that of course includes housing scams. A lot of people try to find housing on Facebook through expat and study abroad groups and scammers take advantage of these people who want to secure housing before their arrival. Some blogs will tell you not to even try to find housing before you arrive due to the high risk of getting scammed and showing up to a non-existent apartment. However, I have found the solution!
First you must find the apartment of your Barcelona dreams. To do this I would recommend Spotahome or Housing Anywhere because you can find housing that has been officially verified as to avoid getting scammed. These are both companies that will go check out the apartment for you and confirm it’s the real deal.
They will even help you with contracts and rental agreement negotiations if needed. It truly is the perfect service for international students that have not yet arrived in Barcelona but want to sort out their housing before!
2º - Barcelona Transport Tips
As an American I grew up in the “land of the freeway, home of the interstate” which meant to get anywhere you had to have a car and it would take forever to get where you were going.
One of my favorite things about studying abroad in Barcelona is that it is so quick and easy to get around because the public transportation is so incredible. My top tip for international students moving to Barcelona is to get your transport card as soon as you arrive. It will make your experience so much easier and your transition to Barcelona life so much smoother.
If you are under 30 years old you are eligible for the T-jove card which allows you to use the metro, bus, train and tram within the 6 zones of Barcelona. Normally, the price is 80€ for three months but until the end of 2025 it is only 40€ which is such an amazing deal and allows you to start exploring your new home!
To get the T-jove card you can apply online and they will mail it directly to your Barcelona apartment. If you want it immediately you can apply in person and all you need to bring is your passport! You can make an appointment online beforehand so you don’t have to wait in line either!
See here the list of stations that you can apply at:
- Punt TMB Diagonal
- Punt TMB La Sagrera
- Punt TMB La Sagrada Familia
- Punt TMB Universitat
3º - Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona for International Students
When looking for the best neighborhoods for students in Barcelona it is important to research the neighborhoods and know what kind of vibe you are looking for. Barcelona is a very safe city with beautiful neighborhoods, but there are some areas that I would not recommend to international students just arriving in the city.
Here is my breakdown of the best neighborhoods for students in Barcelona:
Eixample – A very nice and residential area! It is famous for its grid layout that you can see when flying over Barcelona. There are numerous luxury student accommodations here and private apartments. I would recommend Eixample to international students that want a more elevated Barcelona experience.
Sants-Montjuic – This is my neighborhood! I couldn’t recommend it enough! The close proximity to the beautiful nature of Montjuic and the easy access to the center makes this neighborhood a top contender. I would really recommend this area for international students who enjoy nature and being outdoors.
Les Corts – This neighborhood has very chill and residential vibes with lots of university campuses throughout. This would be a great budget friendly option for an international student that wants to be close to their school and focus on their studies!
Poblenou – This former industrial zone has been converted into a hip and trendy neighborhood close to the beach in Barcelona! With lots of student housing and coworking spaces, I would recommend it to international students wanting the best of both worlds – sun and studies.
Gràcia – With its tiny, historic streets and its lively plazas, Gràcia is perfect for the international student that wants a classic Barcelona neighborhood. It feels like a small and sweet community within the big city and there is always something fun and exciting happening.
El Raval – Last but not least, this neighborhood has some gems, but overall I would not recommend it to international students who are just arriving in Barcelona and are not familiar with the area. El Raval is well known for pickpockets and petty crimes. I have met several international students that moved there and ended up breaking their lease to move out of the neighborhood due to noise or safety concerns.
4º - Language Tips for Students in Barcelona
What many international students might not realize when deciding to study abroad in Barcelona is that the local language is not Spanish. Even though we are technically in Spain, the region is called Catalunya and here they speak Catalan! It has some similarities with Spanish and French but it is a different language.
I recommend you learn a few key words before arriving! This will help you converse with locals and read signs and maps around the city! Even though you can still get around speaking English or Spanish, speaking Catalan shows your appreciation for the culture and respect for the Catalan people which is greatly appreciated by the locals. A great way to learn Catalan is at a language school like Freeda!
Here are some of my most used Catalan words and phrases:
Bon dia | Hello |
Adéu | Goodbye |
Si us plau | Please |
Gràcies/Merci | Thank you |
Carrer | Street |
Sortida | Exit |
Parles anglès? | Do you Speak English? |
5º - How to Build a Support Network While Studying Abroad in Barcelona
My last and arguably my most important tip is to establish and build relationships when you study abroad in Barcelona! Take every opportunity you can to get outside of your comfort zone and make connections! Being an international student can be challenging, and having a support system is essential. I recommend reaching out to your university and seeing what clubs or organizations you can join there.
There are also local meetups with other international students like Erasmus. You could also do a language exchange with international students and local students if you wanted to perfect your Catalan! There are so many amazing ways to integrate into this incredible city so don’t hold yourself back by not taking every opportunity presented to you! A great way to find these meetups of international students is through social media!
Here are some of the accounts I follow on Instagram so that I stay in the know about what international students are doing in Barcelona:
Quick Tips for International Students in Barcelona
- Avoid housing scams and book your housing ahead of arrival through a trusted site like Spotahome or Housing Anywhere.
- Get your Barcelona transport card as soon as possible to allow you to travel easily in your new city.
- Research the neighborhoods of Barcelona to know what area will best suit your needs as an international student.
- Learn some Catalan key words to help you communicate with locals and get around Barcelona.
- Use social media to stay in the know about events in Barcelona and get involved in the community. It’s a great way to make connections and make new friends!
In conclusion, the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona is life changing and a great way to challenge yourself and grow as an international student.
This past year living, working, and studying abroad in Barcelona has taught me so much about myself and helped shape my goals for the future. By following my five tips you too can have an incredible experience when you study abroad in Barcelona! Adéu!
Explore ESEI’s Programmes
👉If you’re considering starting your own journey in Barcelona, explore ESEI’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and see how we can support you as you settle into life here.
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