Details

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

1. Preparation

Make a strong effort to perfect your CV. Both the format and the wording should be clean, professional, and consistent. Write your motivation letter as personally as possible. Rather than trying to impress with brilliance, focus on communicating your motivation, work ethic, and mindset. It is not relevant how appealing you find warm countries; what matters is your genuine interest in intercultural dialogue and academic engagement. Aim to keep your grades as high as possible, as they remain an important selection criterion. In the interview, focus on making a well-groomed, motivated, and engaged first impression. One or two days in advance, reflect on how you would answer tricky personal or “fit” questions, and during the interview, communicate openly and confidently—speaking clearly and substantively, without overdoing it.

2. Accommodation

Unfortunately, I cannot provide extensive insights into the accommodation search process. I was fortunate to have personal contacts, as a friend who was already living there offered me the opportunity to stay with her. In general, having good local contacts can be very helpful when looking for accommodation. That said, even though the housing market can be challenging and competitive, students usually do find a place in the end, often after some persistence.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure is similar to WU Vienna, with cafés, restaurants, and a gym on campus. However, the overall campus experience and especially the library facilities are stronger at WU. That said, the learning environment at the host university is still very good. The academic culture is strongly career-oriented, with students highly engaged both in their courses and in student clubs. Teaching is conducted in small classes with few traditional exams and a strong focus on continuous assessment and practical application. One important difference is the university’s strict approach to punctuality, which students should take seriously.

5. Every day life in the host country

Living in Barcelona usually requires a commute to Sant Cugat, where the university is located, using the FGC commuter trains (S1 or S2). The system is very reliable and only crowded during peak hours, which is manageable. I personally lived outside Sant Cugat, which reduced my commuting time. Regarding safety, it is important to stay alert, especially in crowded areas such as La Rambla, where pickpocketing can occur. However, Barcelona generally feels safe, and there is little reason to fear violent incidents if one behaves responsibly. As in any foreign city, being respectful towards locals and moderate with alcohol consumption helps avoid problems. In terms of social and leisure activities, Barcelona offers an exceptional quality of life. The city has outstanding restaurants, cafés, cultural events, concerts, and nightlife, combined with a relaxed atmosphere and pleasant climate. The beach is easily accessible, and nearby places such as Sitges, Castelldefels, and Badalona provide additional options for swimming and leisure, making Barcelona an excellent destination for an exchange semester.

6. Testimonial

Barcelona is an exceptional city that offers an ideal environment for students to enjoy a very high quality of life. While I would not necessarily choose to live there permanently, at this stage of my life the exchange was one of the best experiences I could have made. What stood out most were the people. ESADE brings together students from all over the world, creating a remarkably diverse, open, and ambitious community. I met people from many different countries, all of whom were highly engaged academically while also being creative, active, and easy to connect with. Sharing everyday life, traveling together, and exchanging ideas made the experience especially memorable. While it can be more challenging to build close connections with local Spanish students, this is certainly possible with effort and a willingness to engage and learn the language. Despite some initial challenges—such as health issues or early uncertainty—the overall experience was extremely rewarding. These difficulties are a normal part of living abroad and a small price to pay for such a unique and enriching exchange experience.