Studying abroad in Barcelona has been both a rewarding and transformative experience. Everyday feels like an interesting mix between a regular college routine I would have at home with some surprises sprinkled in.
A typical Monday for me here in Barcelona starts around 8 am as I get ready for my 8:45 class, Media and Conflict. On the way to class I stop in the cafe under my apartment, el Cafe de Miguel for a pan de tomate and a cafe con leche. No drinks or food are allowed in the classrooms so I eat it before my class. My apartment is luckily just a 5 minute walk from school.
Most of my classes are communication and culture courses. I like how relaxed but engaging the classes are. Professors expect and prompt participation but there is less pressure and more focus on conversation and exploring the city. I go to my second class at 10:30, Communication and Gender.
On Mondays and Wednesdays I finish at 12:00 so I have the rest of the day to myself. I will walk back from class around noon and stop at Lidl or Mercadona, two supermarkets near my apartment. There, I’ll grab some sandwich things, a poke bowl, or just a snack and come to my apartment and eat lunch with whatever roommates are home.
Afternoons are very flexible so I will usually go to a coffee shop or shop around with some of my friends who are also out of class. Even when we don’t have a destination, I always end up discovering a new cafe or square. I will go to the gym for a workout in the late afternoon or early evening and for dinner either do something at home with my roommates or go grab a tapa with friends. A few times during the semester I will eat dinner with my friends' host mom and get to enjoy a home cooked meal.
Studying abroad here has made me appreciate routine in a new way. My days are not filled with big events, but rather small details like morning coffee, long lunches, walks with friends, and tapas. These details make the experience meaningful. Barcelona has a way of slowing you down just enough. I hope everyone has a chance to experience something like this and I am so grateful to be living in a city like this one.
Elena Sperry-Fernandez
Fall 2025
IAU - Barcelona, Spain
Columbian College of Arts and Science
Communication Major