Why Barcelona Is the Best City to Study Abroad

Ask anyone who has studied in Barcelona and the answer is usually the same: it got under their skin in a way they did not expect. The city has a quality that is difficult to describe until you have experienced it, a combination of climate, culture, energy, opportunity and lifestyle that makes it genuinely difficult to leave.

But do not take our word for it. Here is what ESEI alumni have to say.

The City Has Everything

One of the most common things alumni say about Barcelona is that it offers a rare combination of things that most cities cannot. Beaches and mountains, culture and nightlife, professional opportunity and quality of life, all in the same place.

Poppy, who studied the Master in International Relations at ESEI after working as a translator in the sports industry in France, put it simply: “I decided to do a master’s, but I knew I wanted to do it in a big city where I could also keep doing the sports I loved. Obviously, a big drawback of many major cities is the lack of outdoor spaces and activities, whereas Barcelona has it all. You’ve got the beach, you’ve got the mountains, and you’ve got people to enjoy them with. So it was a no-brainer.”

The Energy Is Unlike Anywhere Else

Barcelona has a particular kind of energy that alumni describe again and again. It is creative, ambitious and forward-moving without being aggressive or exhausting.

Constantin Blum, an ESEI alumni, captures it well: “Barcelona has incredible energy. It is full of creativity and people boldly pursuing their ambitions. I really fed off that energy and benefited from it enormously.” He also has some simple advice: “Have fun. Embrace the Barcelona lifestyle. I miss it so much. Now that I’m back in Switzerland, I can’t wait for the chance to return.”

It Is the Best Place to Build an International Network

One of the most lasting benefits of studying in Barcelona is the network you build there. The city’s international community means you are surrounded by people from across the world, and the friendships and professional connections you make tend to last long after graduation.

Oliver Darrason, who came to Barcelona from Iceland, is clear about what made the experience special: “You’re not just here for the education. You’re also here for the connections. Now I have friends all over the world, and it’s opened so many doors for me.” He describes his year at ESEI simply as the best of his life.

It Changes How You See the World

Studying abroad anywhere will broaden your perspective. Studying in Barcelona does it in a particularly powerful way because the city itself is so international, so multicultural and so full of people who have come from somewhere else and made it their home.

Loulou Bujik, who came from Rotterdam for a short course at ESEI, recalls the feeling of arriving in the city: “I had a strong feeling it would bring me a lot.” She was right. Her advice to anyone thinking about making the move: “Just say yes to opportunities. Discover new places, meet new people, and step outside what you already know. It’s the perfect time to explore and figure out what really matters to you.”

It Is Affordable Without Compromising on Quality

Compared to London, Paris, Amsterdam or Zurich, Barcelona offers a significantly lower cost of living without any compromise on the quality of the experience. For students choosing a city to study in, that practical reality matters. Our guide to the real cost of living in Barcelona as a student breaks down what to expect in detail.

Charlotte de Mooij, who moved from The Hague in the Netherlands to study the Master in Marketing and Communication at ESEI, describes her year in Barcelona simply: “It was one year of celebrating life.” For Charlotte, the experience extended well beyond the classroom. “I lived in a city where I knew nobody, and then you need to network, you need to communicate. Those are all things I brought with me during my job searching.” That confidence took her all the way to a management traineeship at L’Oréal. Her advice to anyone arriving: “Don’t be shy. Go out of your comfort zone, even if it feels scary.”

It Opens Doors You Did Not Expect

One of the most consistent themes across ESEI alumni stories is that Barcelona does not just give you what you came for. It gives you things you did not know you were looking for.

Wanjiku Mwenda, who came from Kenya to study the Master in Sports Management, chose ESEI specifically because of the breadth of what Barcelona and the programme offered. “I realised that ESEI was giving me very diverse modules. On top of just events management, I could get a bit of every other module and then make my decision after.” That flexibility, combined with the international environment of the city, helped her define the direction of her career in a way she could not have done at home.

Victor Menendez, who moved from Ecuador to Barcelona to study the MBA in Sports Management, found that the cross-cultural skills he developed in the city translated directly into his professional life. “Learning to work more with people from different backgrounds really helped me navigate the environment I’m in now.” He now works with partners from Asia, Europe and Latin America daily, and credits his time in Barcelona with building the foundation for that.

His advice to anyone considering the move captures something that almost every ESEI alumni eventually says: “Don’t be afraid to go out there. Try to network as much as you can. Once you get your foot in the door, you start to realise how amazing the people are working in this field. They are very open to giving you advice and helping you out.”

Ready to Make the Move?

Explore ESEI’s programmes and find the right fit for your goals. Our admissions team is always happy to answer questions and help you find your path.