Study Abroad in Barcelona; a good idea?

Are you considering to study abroad but not sure where to yet? Well, don’t hesitate any further! We highly recommend you to choose Barcelona! 

You want to know why? Then read the rest of our blog post :

Culture and architecture

Barcelona is well known for its architecture and for being the home of many talented artists and beautiful museums. Catalan modernism will blow your mind! It took hold in the 19th century under Gaudi, and all of Gaudi’s work can be visited : casa batllo, la pedrera, parc Guell, but also the still under construction Sagrada Familia. 

There are so many things to see, museums and art galleries to visit, that you will never get bored. From Catalan history, to Picasso, modern art, photography, etc.. every museum is worth a visit!

Beach Life

With a mediterranean climate and mild winters, the beach can be enjoyed almost all year long in Barcelona. From June to September, it is usually the place to be during the weekends, which is why the locals escape to their holiday homes on the Costa Brava or to nearby beaches outside the city. If you are a sporty person, the beach is also a great location for working out, as it is equipped with some outside gyms, but you can also find volleyball players, outdoor workout groups or stand up paddle classes all year round. The Barceloneta neighbourhood is also full of local bars and restaurants that have been here forever, it is the old fishermen area, and therefore is the home of many families that have lived there for their entire lives.

Lifestyle

As can be guessed from above, the lifestyle in Barcelona is quite a relaxed one, and throughout the whole of Spain there is usually a great life/work balance. Barcelona is a city where the cost of life is relatively low compared to Northern cities for example, with affordable public transport, average rent at a lower price than in most European cities and a great variety of cheaper food and drink options. All in all, the atmosphere of the city is very vibrant and you can see that students in general enjoy their lives in Barcelona to the fullest!

Gastronomy 

Like in most places in Spain, eating is taken very seriously in Barcelona. Tourists usually end up going to the typical restaurants on the Ramblas, but actually the city has way more to offer than that. There is an abundance of food options here due to the amount of international people who moved to Barcelona over the years. Of course, you can still find the typical spanish rustic bars, but loads of new places are popping up offering more modern options. Moreover, you can easily eat a 3 course menu with wine included for less than 20 euros! No need to say that the food game is strong here! 

Nightlife and festivals

Before Covid-19 hit us all, you could easily find a party every night of the week in the city. Nowadays, that is a bit less common… but hopefully the nightlife and concerts will start again soon, and we know that Barcelona will be the place to be when everything reopens!

The city is also host to numerous music festivals as soon as summer starts, such as Primavera Sound, Sonar, the International Jazz Festival and more. However, there are also more local street parties happening throughout the year, for example Sant Juan, La Mercè or the Festa Major de Gràcia. Once the clubs reopen, you will also be able to find a place for any music taste: from techno, to disco, reggaeton, more commercial… The party never ends in Barcelona so you can for sure find a way to stay up until sunrise!

Sports and outdoor activities

Although the lifestyle in Barcelona is quite relaxed and students think that it is a party city, there are a lot of options to lead an active life here. Apart from the amount of cheap gyms available, you can also go for runs near the sea or go hiking in the mountains behind Barcelona, like Montserrat for example. The good thing with this city is that it is surrounded by nature, the sea and the closest mountains for winter sports are literally a 2 hour drive away. There are plenty of options available to escape the city if you need a breath of fresh air and a reconnection to nature. Catalonia is very diverse in terms of landscapes, you have a lot of national parks, vineyards, the coast, and a volcanic area surrounded by forests. All in all, you will not be disappointed by the amount of things you can do to escape the city for a few days!

Highly ranked universities

Lastly, and probably most importantly if you are a student, Barcelona is home to some of the best universities and business schools in Europe and the world.

It is a very popular choice for studying abroad so there is a wide range of options and subjects to choose from. Barcelona is usually chosen also because it is a pretty safe city, with educational quality and easy connection to European cities thanks to the airport. 

We truly believe that it is the ideal city for your choice of studying abroad! Don’t hesitate any further. And of course, don’t forget to contact us if you’re looking for an apartment there.