Barcelona: Transitioning to Abroad Myths vs Reality
I have been in Spain for about 2 weeks now and am starting to feel settled in my new home. I’ve met new friends, explored a beautiful city and have gotten more familiar with the European lifestyle. Now that I am comfortable in Barcelona, I wanted to reflect upon some expectations and concerns I had prior to the semester and discuss my actual experiences throughout this transitioning period.
Pit pocketing is a big concern: Reality
Pit pocketing is very common in Barcelona. The riskiest areas include the metro and any touristy locations such as La Sagrada Familia, the beach, Las Ramblas, etc. My tips to minimize your chance of getting targeted is to act confident, keep loud talking (especially in English) to a minimum, and hold your bag in front of you. I purchased a Pacsafe anti-theft backpack that I highly recommend. It has interlocking zippers, slash proof material and an RFID blocking pocket. Most importantly, if you do get pit pocketed, do not confront the attacker, it’s not worth risking your safety.
It would be difficult to communicate with locals: Myth
Communication has been very easy so far! I am familiar with Spanish but was worried that a lot of people would speak in Catalan since that is the official dialect of Catalunya. However, the majority of locals I’ve encountered do speak basic English and/or Spanish, which is very useful for communication and practicing the language.
Classroom structure would be different: Reality
So far, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of my classes. All of my professors have spoken great English, really care about their students, and try to make content interesting and engaging. There are some differences to keep in mind:
- Classes are 1hr 40mins at UAB, but most professors give you a 5-minute break in the middle
- You will likely have a commute to class (up to 30 mins) via the metro, and you might have to switch campuses as there are two (Sant Pau and Eixample)
- Professors do not allow food, drinks (including coffee), laptops, or phones in class and enforce these rules
- Participation is expected, as class size tends to be small (great for getting to know your professor)
- Homework assignments are less time consuming and less frequent
There is a lot to explore in Barcelona: Reality
Barcelona is a bustling city with lots to do. Check out the following photos for some places that I’ve been in the past two weeks that I highly recommend checking out!
Hike to Tibidabo
View of the city from Parc Guell
Tarragona and Roman ruins
Sunrise at Los Bunkers de Carmel
