{"id":43662,"date":"2026-05-26T13:20:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/?p=43662"},"modified":"2026-05-26T13:20:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:20:00","slug":"between-everyday-life-and-change-a-reflection-on-my-semester-abroad-in-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/en\/between-everyday-life-and-change-a-reflection-on-my-semester-abroad-in-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"Between everyday life and change: A reflection on my semester abroad in Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Between everyday life and change<\/h2>\n

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A review on my semester abroad in Barcelona<\/h3>\n

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.<\/pee>The most important thing during my semester abroad was my friendships; they were my anchor in everyday life. A caf\u00e9 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\u2019s 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.<\/pee>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.<\/pee>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\u2014a day when all my friends would be free\u2014but 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.<\/pee>Of course, there were difficult times as well. It was particularly challenging when the deadline for my master\u2019s 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.<\/pee>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\u2019t really feel like a goodbye, and even when I returned to Germany, there was no sense of \u201cbeing back.\u201d The return was difficult for me. Sometimes I feel like I didn\u2019t take anything from Barcelona with me, but rather left a part of myself there. Like a missing piece of a puzzle.<\/pee>All in all, I would recommend a semester abroad at UAB to anyone who has ever thought while on vacation in Spain, \u201cHow cool would it be to live here?\u201d 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\u2019s hardly a better feeling than arriving in a foreign country and realizing that you\u2019re home.<\/pee>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Spaziergang-Eixample-scaled.jpg” alt=”Auslandssemester in Rom – Studieren in Italien” title_text=”04_Spaziergang Eixample” url=”https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/italien\/” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/12_Solodate-am-Strand–scaled.jpg” alt=”Kunst in Rom” title_text=”12_Solodate am Strand” url=”https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/italien\/” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01_Sagrada-Familia-scaled.jpg” alt=”Essen in Rom” title_text=”01_Sagrada Familia” url=”https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/italien\/” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] <\/p>\n

Start your semester abroad in Barcelona today<\/h2>\n

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Counseling, Applications, and Support<\/h3>\n

Are you looking for a unique study abroad experience? If so, we warmly welcome you to the Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona! Discover the opportunity to spend an unforgettable semester abroad at our renowned institution in Rome.<\/pee> If you’re still unsure which degree program is the best fit for you or how to apply, don’t worry!Schedule a personal consultation with one of our experienced advisors today.<\/a> Our advisors have studied abroad themselves and are happy to share their experiences and knowledge with you. We offer expert, no-obligation advice and support you in finding the right program, planning your studies, navigating the application process, and making the most of your time studying in Barcelona. We look forward to hearing from you. Studying in Rome\u2014seize this opportunity; an unforgettable adventure awaits you!<\/pee>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/logotip-versio-1-principal-negre.jpg” alt=”Universit\u00e0 Europea di Roma” title_text=”logotip-versio-1-principal-negre” url=”https:\/\/worldofstudents.org\/auslandsstudium\/Italien-Universita-Europea-di-Roma-Rom\/” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”320px” max_width=”320px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

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Study in Barcelona – More Information<\/h3>\n

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