It’s finally here – your study abroad in Barcelona. You’ve been here for a week already, maybe two, but why do you still feel like you don’t belong? Trust me; been there, done that. I completed my one-year master’s program at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in June 2025, but it took me a few months to start calling Barcelona my ‘home’.

The first few weeks were overwhelming. Part of it was the culture shock, and part of it was just being away from home. In fact, two weeks into my study abroad in Barcelona, I wrote the following in my diary:
“I’m losing hair, my skin is breaking out, and it’s way too hot. Barcelona doesn’t suit me.”

If only September 2024 Fatima knew what the rest of the year would have in store for her – that is to say, it would be the best year of her life. 

So, where do you go from here? As someone who was in your shoes not too long ago, here are five tips to help you during your study abroad experience in Barcelona.

Use social platforms to find your community

One of the best things about Barcelona is its diversity. You’ll find people from all over the world with all sorts of hobbies. Beach volleyball, hiking, padel, panting, partying – you name it and you’ll find it in Barcelona.

Believe it or not, but I met one of my best friends in a Facebook Barcelona rental group. Use TikTok, Instagram, and yes, even Facebook (no, it’s not for “old people”), to find ‘your’ people.

Some personal favourites are:

• Canadians in Spain – A Facebook group that was a lifesaver during my student visa application process.
• Girls in Barcelona – A WhatsApp group made by women, for women in Barcelona. Useful for buying/selling, meeting new people, and getting advice on all things Barcelona.
• BCN Chat’n Chapters – Another WhatsApp group for book lovers.
• Meetup – An app where you can find group events specifically for English speakers in Barcelona. This was what I used to find and attend some of my first few social events after moving to the city.

Most people in these groups are also looking to make new friends (like you!), so it’s one of the best ways to find a group based on your hobbies

Maintain a routine even if you want to bedrot

Initially, I was in a slump and had no motivation to explore or leave my bed. It’s hard to be in a new city all by yourself. That’s why it’s even more important to build yourself a routine. 

Once my program started, things became easier. It’s easier to build your schedule around school, so I encourage keeping yourself active, staying on top of school work, trying new cafes on the weekend, or even hitting up the beach before/after your classes. 

Protip: If you haven’t already, sign up for a free trial of ClassPass (not sponsored) and try a new fitness activity every week. It’s a great way to meet people and add some variety to your week.

Take advantage of your study abroad in Barcelona…to travel around Europe

Do Europeans even realize how lucky they are to be able to travel to another country, another culture, after a one-hour flight? A one-hour flight from Vancouver will take me to Calgary…

As a West Coast Canadian, moving to Barcelona for a year unlocked the potential for frequent travel, whether it was within Spain or around Europe. I quickly learned I only need to eat when I feel dizzy (don’t take my advice, I’m not a doctor), but I can put up with a little dizziness if I’m in Malta. Or Rome. Or Paris. 

Seriously, take advantage of the cheap flights and go away for the weekend! Here are some of my practical saving trips to make that easier:

• Cook at home so you can use the money to eat out when you travel. Girl math.
• Use lists like Rumba, Shaz, or Aashi to get in for free at clubs and use the money you save for your next weekend getaway. Girl math.
• Use the metro instead of taking Ubers. Or better yet, walk when you’re able to. The money you save can be used for…you guessed it. Your next trip. Girl math.

On average, a 3-4 day trip to another country would cost around 200-300 EUR, all inclusive. I’m a restless soul with a tendency to get bored easily. If you’re like me and have a solid budget and savings in place, take full advantage of Barcelona and the ease of inter-European travel to knock some cities off your travel bucket list. 

If you’re scared to solo travel, here are some words of wisdom from a younger Fatima.

Follow local content creators to see what’s happening in the city

It’s true – the Spanish love to party. There’s always some sort of celebration, event, or festival happening in the city, so you’ll never run out of things to do. 

Personally, I didn’t appreciate the Fall/Winter months as much as I should have, because the city gets busier the closer you get to Spring/Summer, so enjoy the peace while it lasts.

Some of my favourite accounts:

• Orda Twins (on IG and TikTok)
• VisitBarcelona (on IG)
• Welcome_barcelona (IG)

Get familiar with the language – make Spanish a part of your daily life

While Catalan is one of the official languages of Barcelona (Spanish being the second), it’s definitely possible to get by if you don’t speak the language. Of course, this raises another discussion about the ethics of learning (or not learning) the language of the place you’re living in – especially given Catalunya’s complicated history with the rest of Spain, but that’s a topic for another day.

I landed in Spain with zero Spanish and left 12 months later with a B1 certificate in hand. I had a personal goal to learn Spanish, so I took courses offered by my university and boy, was it a good idea. Not only was I able to add another language to my repertoire, but it also opened a whole new world for me. I started enjoying reggaeton, was able to communicate with locals, and ultimately felt less isolated because at least the language barrier wasn’t so evident anymore.

The language barrier is one of the hardest obstacles when you move to another country, so investing your time, energy, and, if possible, money, is one way to beat the homesickness you feel. Plus, if you’re like me, you’ll love the ego boost you get when you can tell people, “Yeah, I speak Spanish.”

Studying abroad in Barcelona is an adventure of a lifetime. Yes, you’ll face some ups and downs, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. From overcoming homesickness and culture shock to making lifelong friends and exploring Europe, every challenge will be a part of the journey.