Details

• Spain
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Look at all the partner universities and check their requirements and what they expect from you.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation was very difficult and exhausting. Rent prices in Barcelona are high. There are many agencies (e.g. SH Barcelona, ATemporal), but they charge high fees. Otherwise, you can also search on Idealista. In the end, I booked an apartment through SH Barcelona with a second person; however, it was expensive (€900 per month per person) plus a high agency fee. On the positive side, the location was excellent and everything was very reliable and trustworthy. Location: Eixample or Gràcia are great areas. The commute to the university takes a bit longer, but they are among the safest districts.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus was beautiful, with a very good cafeteria and nice facilities. Teaching style: Everything was rather personal, with small class sizes. In some courses there were traditional lectures, while in others there were presentations and group work, so it really depended on the course. I had an exam at the end of each course. Overall, the focus in every course was more on providing a solid basic understanding of the subject rather than going into small details (which I liked).

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport worked very well and is very affordable for students! I think it’s around €45 for three months, and all zones are included. Safety: It depends on which areas/districts you are in, but that’s the same in Vienna. I didn’t feel less safe overall. However, pickpocketing is a big issue, so you should always make sure your valuables are stored securely. Social/leisure activities: You’ll never be bored, there’s something for everyone. Events: A lot is organized through Erasmus, and there is always something going on in Barcelona anyway. Sports options: There are plenty of gyms and fitness studios, etc. I don’t think the university itself offers any sports facilities.

6. Testimonial

Everything worked out perfectly, and I gained wonderful experiences. I especially loved meeting people from many different countries and learning about other cultures. I also really liked the way teaching is done at the university. Barcelona is definitely a great city for an international experience and offers everything you could need.