Upon arriving in Spain, I was excited to take advantage of all the city had to offer but had no clue where to start looking. During my first month, I learned how to find events that truly matched my interests, from concerts to cultural experiences. My biggest recommendations include applications like Dice, TikTok, Instagram, and Get Your Guide. Additionally, leaning on individuals who live full time in the area, whether that's professors, faculty, host families, or a barista at your favorite coffee shop. By combining all of these tools, you can make the most of your study abroad experience.
- Dice. This platform is great for a combination of events: local nightlife, concerts, etc. Dice offers filters that make finding exactly what you are looking for quick and easy. One of my favorite events I have found using Dice was a rooftop concert that highlighted local Barcelona talent. This opportunity allowed us to explore a new part of the city, get a rooftop view, as well as interacting with local artists. I also used Dice to purchase tickets to one of my favorite musical artists at a well known venue nearby. For all these reasons, Dice is a great one-stop shop for all of your social needs.
- Social Media. Before arriving in Spain, I did my research on specific social media influencers that had similar interests to me. Whether that was good coffee shops, tourist attractions, music events, etc. I have been following them to get a local perspective into city events and hidden attractions. TikTok has advanced search features that allows you to search for anything you might need. I have used this tool countless times just in my first month not to expand my knowledge on Spanish attractions, but also when building itineraries for my weekend trips. One account I recommend is @aesthetictraveldiary for great travel inspiration.
- Get Your Guide and Free Tour. Both of these websites offer guided tours throughout the city, and Free Tour is great for (as the name suggests) free tours. Additionally, these are great tools to use both in Spain as well as Europe as a whole. In Spain I have used Free Tours to explore Montjuic, a mountain within Barcelona. The tour guide had plenty of information to share and the only cost was an optional tip. During a weekend trip to Portugal, we used Get Your Guide to purchase tickets for a sunset cruise on the Tagus River for an affordable price and unforgettable experience. These platforms make it easy to learn more about the places you visit without breaking your budget
- Locals. Talk to everyone you possibly can while abroad. This can include anyone from professors, faculty, host families, or local shop employees. Being able to interact with local experiences is what makes your time abroad truly special. One of my professors works at a local comedy showhouse which introduced me to Barcelona’s vibrant arts scene and a community of expats. Additionally, my host university has plenty of young faculty members that have been living in Barcelona and know great places to go for an authentic Spanish experience. This also provides the chance to improve your ability to communicate with all different languages and cultures.
Taking advantage of all these tools is a sure way to enjoy your new city as an abroad student. Although finding events can feel overwhelming, allowing yourself to explore and try new things is such an important part of your time abroad. Every event you attend expands your network and opens the door to even more experiences.
Jacob Wilner
Fall 2025
IAU - Barcelona, Spain
Columbian College of Arts and Science
Political Communication Major