Exchange Report

Read the exchange reports and really do your research about the universities and cities and only apply to those you actually like, otherwise you could end up somewhere you didn't really want. I traveled to Barcelona by plane, since that seemed the easiest to me. The information about the courses you could take at UAB were available way in advance and the university also has a very quick response time if there are any questions. The application for the courses was very simple and there was also a lot of information about the credit transfer available. Once you have all your documents ready and have sent them to UAB, they will create a student account for you and you will be able to sign up for the courses. Their system is easy to understand and they also send you detailed instructions about how to sign up for the courses and everything else.

Finding accommodation in Barcelona is hard and the rent is very high, since the spaces are limited. Start very early! Be aware of scammers and don't send any money in advance if you're not very sure the place actually exists and you have seen a tour (in person or virtual). There is on campus living but you have to apply early on and since the university is not in the city you will also live about 1 hour from the city. I would recommend to get an apartment or a room in Barcelona. The best districts for Students are Eixample, Gracia and El Born. I lived in Sarria Sant-Gervasi, which was absolutely lovely since it was very local with no tourists and had a lot of green spaces around. However it was very expensive. I would not recommend to live in El Raval, as this district can be a bit sketchy at times. If you want to be close to the university but still live in the city I would recommend to stay in Gracia or Sarria. It is important to stay at a place that is close to the FGC Line, since that will take you directly to the university. If you want to live closer to the University and not live in the city you could stay in Sant Cougat, however I wouldn't recommend that. When looking for apartments you can use Idealista.

The university is not in Barcelona, but outside of the city and you will have mandatory attendance in almost every course. The campus is very big and has a lot to offer (cafeteria, gym, book shops, pharmacy, hair dresser, etc.) and it is split up into different faculties. The style of teaching is very different than at WU, as you are expected to participate a lot and you will have to do group work in almost every course. I would say it is a bit easier to get a good grade but to get the highest grade is rather difficult. I can recommend the course Distribution Management.

If you stay in Barcelona, the public transport is very good and I can recommend renting a bike from time to time. Safety was never a big issue, I never felt unsafe. I would recommend to do some research on which areas to avoid beforehand and always trust your gut. One thing that is very present in Barcelona is stealing. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings (especially your phone and wallet) close to you. I was always careful and never had anything stolen, but I know of a few people who had their phone stolen. However if you're careful, especially when going out, you'll be fine. The everyday life in Barcelona is like no other! There is always something to do, you have to Beach, Mountains and a lot of lovely places nearby for a daytrip. The activities and places to explore are literally endless and there is always events or things going on. If you want to be active during your stay i would recommend to get Classpass or Urbansports or sign up for a gym or club. The city is absolutely beautiful and the people are very friendly and the food is amazing.

My exchange really was a one of a kind experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I completely fell in love with Barcelona and met some amazing people and had the best time. The city the culture and the food and things to do were so great and living so close to the beach was unreal. Also traveling while on my semester abroad was a highlight and I would recommend for everyone to travel as much as possible.