Between everyday life and change

A review on my semester abroad in Barcelona

When I look back on my semester abroad, one feeling clearly stands out: lightness. A lightness in everyday life, in thinking, in being. It was not a time of dramatic events, but rather each individual day that slowly shaped me into the person I am today. In hindsight, I would say that my semester abroad influenced me quietly, but in a lasting way. My self-confidence also developed during this time. I have always been a confident person, but Barcelona gave me even more trust in myself and the courage to simply do things. I also handle stress more calmly: small things no longer unsettle me so quickly, and I consciously take more time for things I enjoy. I still like planning, but I now leave more room for spontaneity.

The most important thing during my semester abroad was my friendships; they were my anchor in everyday life. A café con leche on the way to class, spontaneous tapas and club nights, long conversations, trips, and simple everyday moments shaped my time in Spain. International friendships always feel a little more intense: you embark on a new chapter of life together, rely on one another, and are aware every second that this time is limited. That’s exactly what made it so special. I find the idea that these connections can endure even across national borders and time zones to be very beautiful.

My perspective on my studies has also changed. Studying at UAB was challenging, but also incredibly enriching. While we had more midterms, assignments, presentations, and homework, the workload was spread out more evenly throughout the semester. And somehow, I also feel like this allowed me to learn more effectively and retain what I learned for longer. I was able to put together my own course schedule and took classes that truly interested me. It was also great that many of the professors had an international background, which made the classes practical, diverse, and, as a result, educational on a whole new level.

Two experiences were particularly symbolic of my time abroad. First, there was my hike up Montserrat. For weeks and months, I waited for the right moment—a day when all my friends would be free—but that day never came. So I decided to set out on my own, with no plan and no preparation, all the way to the summit. The experience had a profound impact on my time there because I did what I wanted to do without hesitation, even though I was alone. My trips to Madrid, Valencia, and Mallorca were also special to me. Not because I wanted to travel a lot, but because I was able to visit people there whom I had met during their stays abroad in Germany. And this really shows that friendships can withstand any distance if you nurture them.

Of course, there were difficult times as well. It was particularly challenging when the deadline for my master’s thesis at the university in Germany coincided with midterms at UAB. That period was very exhausting, both physically and mentally. That made the support from the people around me all the more important; they gave me a lot of strength during that time.

Saying goodbye to Barcelona was chaotic and emotional. Many of my friends had already left before me, so I spent most of my last few days alone. Looking back, that was important so I could say goodbye to the city in my own way. The day I left was incredibly surreal. Leaving the keys in the apartment, taking one last look at my room in the shared apartment, the chaotic scene at the airport. It didn’t really feel like a goodbye, and even when I returned to Germany, there was no sense of “being back.” The return was difficult for me. Sometimes I feel like I didn’t take anything from Barcelona with me, but rather left a part of myself there. Like a missing piece of a puzzle.

All in all, I would recommend a semester abroad at UAB to anyone who has ever thought while on vacation in Spain, “How cool would it be to live here?” You have to be willing to embrace new experiences, let go of your German mindset to some extent, and immerse yourself in a new way of life. For me, that time was incredibly formative. The experiences, the people, and the mindset are now a part of me and will stay with me for the rest of my life. There’s hardly a better feeling than arriving in a foreign country and realizing that you’re home.

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