¡Hola Barcelona!

My Start at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

¡Hola! My name is Jelena, and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Consumer Psychology and Market Research. Even though a semester abroad is not officially included in my study program, I had known for a long time that I wanted to spend part of my studies abroad — preferably in Spain. During an information event at my university, I first heard about World of Students, and after a short conversation, it became clear that I would be going to the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Throughout the entire application process, the team at World of Students was incredibly supportive, always available, and guided me step by step. Their assistance with communication with the partner university, in particular, took a huge amount of stress off my shoulders.

Preparing for my semester abroad

Before the start of my semester abroad, I had to take care of numerous organizational matters, including applying for a visa (I hold Bosnian citizenship), arranging Spanish health insurance, booking flights, organizing accommodation, and applying for international BAföG funding. The biggest challenges during the preparation phase were definitely the visa and the international BAföG application. Due to communication difficulties between my home university, the partner university, the BAföG office, and the Spanish consulate, there were significant delays. In the end, however, all issues were resolved, and I received both my visa and financial support — although only two months after the start of my semester abroad. My biggest piece of advice here is: start planning early, especially if you depend on external funding or hold a non-EU citizenship.

Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Barcelona was quite a long process for me. I searched on platforms such as Spotahome, HousingAnywhere, Idealista, Badi, and in Facebook groups, looked into student residences, and asked friends and family for contacts in the city. Some platforms charge fees but provide verified and secure accommodations. Private offers are often cheaper, but there is always a risk of scams since, in most cases, you cannot view the apartment in person beforehand. Luckily, I found a beautiful four-bedroom shared apartment in Poblenou, complete with a balcony, close to the beach, and surrounded by cafés. It was perfect for someone like me, who came to Barcelona for the Mediterranean lifestyle and proximity to the sea.

Finances & Preparation

Since there is no official cooperation between my home university and the university in Barcelona, my stay was not funded through Erasmus. However, I did receive international BAföG and was able to increase my budget through the social media scholarship from World of Students. In the end, the BAföG funding was just enough to cover rent and groceries. To truly enjoy my semester abroad, I relied heavily on my savings. This is where I learned one of my biggest lessons: many of the best experiences happen outside a strictly planned budget. Spontaneous day trips, traveling within Spain, museum visits, coffee at the university cafeteria, or weekly dinners with close friends — these are the moments that make the experience unforgettable. My personal budgeting tip may sound simple, but it is important: start saving early (already while you are still in Germany). Apply for external scholarships, get involved, and take on that summer job before your semester abroad. You definitely will not regret it.

First Impressions of Barcelona

I landed in Barcelona in the early evening. While darkness had already fallen in Hamburg, the sun here was just setting between the palm trees. My shuttle bus drove past Plaza España, and I instantly had this feeling of “right place, right time.” Week after week, I discovered new neighborhoods such as Gràcia, Eixample, and Poblenou, and spent many of my evenings at the beach. I walked countless kilometers through the city and admired the view over all of Barcelona from the Bunkers del Carmel and Montjuïc. Very quickly, my favorite places became my balcony and Mar Bella beach. The feeling of being on vacation disappeared relatively quickly. Instead, something else replaced it: a feeling of home. There was no single defining moment, but rather something that developed somewhere between tapas evenings with my university friends and strolling through the city without needing Google Maps. People in Spain are known for their strong sense of community and family, their passion, and their Mediterranean lifestyle. Although I had already met many Spanish people before my semester abroad, I only truly understood what that meant once I was there. People stroll through the streets without rushing. They focus on one thing at a time, spend time together, and sit outside on terraces until late at night. They put effort into their appearance, know their worth, and show it — not by blindly following trends, but through genuine style. They are friendly, considerate, always willing to help, open-minded, supportive, laugh a lot, and truly know how to enjoy life and celebrate it. And somewhere between evenings at the beach, moments on my balcony, and everyday walks through the city, I realized: Barcelona was slowly becoming my home.