Details

• Spain
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Start planning early, especially when it comes to course approval. Make sure your chosen courses are accepted as soon as possible and always keep at least one backup course, just in case something changes. Past exchange reports were very helpful for selecting courses that are likely to be approved. Also, be patient with the approval process between WU and ESADE—technical issues can happen, so staying calm and persistent makes the process much easier. I strongly recommend looking for accommodation early. In my experience, it’s often easier to find a room in a shared flat (WG) than a place in a student dorm, since dorm spots are very limited and fill up quickly. Be careful with deposits and always double-check offers, as scams can occur. I would also recommend living in Barcelona rather than Sant Cugat. Even though the university is located in Sant Cugat and the public transport works well, most of the social life and activities happen in Barcelona. Finally, having at least basic Spanish is a big advantage, since many people don’t speak English fluently. Catalan is also widely used depending on the area, so being respectful and learning a few basic Catalan words can be a nice gesture and is often appreciated.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Barcelona took longer than I expected, but it was worth it in the end. The most important lesson: start early and keep as many options open as possible. The housing market moves quickly, and processes in Spain can take time, so it’s very possible that things aren’t finalized until close to your arrival date. I lived in a shared flat (WG), which I would strongly recommend for exchange students. Student residences fill up very fast and are often reserved for full-year students. Since exchange semesters are shorter, exchange students at ESADE usually have lower priority, so getting a dorm spot can be difficult. Even though ESADE is in Sant Cugat, I strongly recommend living in Barcelona instead. The campus commute is manageable, but the social life is in the city and you might miss out on a lot otherwise. So all in all I would recommend to start early and apply broadly, be cautious about scams, look for shared flats and expect delays.

3. Academic life at host university

ESADE’s campus is modern, but a bit confusing at the beginning. All in all ESADE is extremely international due to its many partner universities. Many courses for exchange students are filled mostly with other exchange students, which means contact with “regular” ESADE students can be limited (often only one or two per class). While that was sometimes a bit disappointing, it also created a strong international community and made it easy to meet people from all over the world. The teaching style is very practical and applied, with a strong focus on participation and continuous performance. Attendance is taken seriously: there is an 80% attendance requirement and it is enforced. Many courses include frequent group work, and your experience can depend a lot on the group you’re assigned to. Compared to many WU courses, ESADE courses felt more practice-oriented and project-based, with more continuous tasks during the semester. I personally enjoyed this approach because I felt I learned a lot through doing. At the same time, the workload shouldn’t be underestimated, since group projects, ongoing assignments, and final presentations can add up quickly, especially if you take several courses at once.

5. Every day life in the host country

Barcelona’s public transport is well organized and usually punctual (buses can be less reliable), and it’s easy to commute even if you live in the city and go to university in Sant Cugat. Overall, I felt safe in daily life, including walking home or using public transport at night. The main safety issue is pickpocketing, especially in tourist areas, so it’s important to keep your belongings close and stay alert. Social and leisure options in Barcelona are endless. The city has a strong Catalan identity, and you notice how much people value traditions, festivals, and local celebrations. There are frequent events like parades, fireworks, and cultural activities. Barcelona offers a lot, because you can go out, enjoy the beach, visit museums, try workshops (like pottery or painting), and explore many landmarks and sights. If you want to stay active, there are many sports classes and activities available, so it’s easy to find something that fits your interests. Everyday life feels calmer and more relaxed compared to Vienna. Shops often open later but stay open longer in the evening, and it’s common to find some supermarkets open on Sundays and even on public holidays. Overall, daily life was very enjoyable: warm and sunny weather, friendly people in general (even if service in shops can vary), and there’s always something happening, so it never gets boring.

6. Testimonial

My exchange was genuinely one of the best times of my life. I met amazing friends from all over the world, and we’ve already made plans to stay in touch and even travel together again. ESADE is in general a great university and I learned a lot there, but the biggest takeaway for me was personal growth. Because beyond academics, the exchange taught me a great deal about myself. Moving to a new country on your own makes you independent very quickly: you have to organise everyday life from scratch, adapt to a new system, and learn to stay flexible when things don’t go as planned. Even if you speak some Spanish (Castellano), Catalan is widely used in Barcelona, so you still need to adjust. Barcelona as a city also played a huge role in making the exchange so special. There is always something happening, like day trips, beaches, museums, neighbourhood festivals, nightlife, and countless places to explore. The city feels colourful, creative, and full of energy, and it truly never gets boring. I couldn`t imagine a better city to do an exchange semester and I am really happy that I had such a great experience there. My biggest advice is to enjoy every single minute and be proactive from day one. ESADE didn’t offer many organised activities beyond the initial welcome event, so it really helps to take initiative early on. Say yes to plans in the first week (even if you’re tired), join activities, and make an effort to meet people quickly — it pays off. I highly recommend taking the Spanish intensive course, not only because you improve your language skills, but because it’s one of the easiest ways to build a social circle from the start. Those early connections become your support system during the exchange, and that makes the whole experience even more memorable.