I found myself struggling to adjust during my first few weeks here. I recall spending an hour in the supermarket looking for disinfecting wipes. Of course, I eventually figured it out, but knowing a little bit of Spanish will make your experience so much easier. Download Duolingo if you can and start picking up phrases. Your lifestyle completely changes when you move abroad.
In the U. Here, I had to say goodbye to that lifestyle. Most facilities here are open Monday- Saturday from 9 a. Although I have learned to navigate my schedule, it would have been nice to know that Barcelona is not a morning-person city before making my class schedules.
I am so glad that I have been saving for years for this. If you want to get to know a local, do a homestay. This is such a great way to really get to know the Spanish culture.
If you do a homestay, you immediately get connected with a resident of Barcelona who can teach you about the culture and make you feel welcome. Plus, you can get two great home-cooked meals and avoid the annoyance of apartment maintenance.
Apartments and homestays are both great ways to meet new students. Say yes to everything before classes start. I recommend saying yes to everyone and everything in those two weeks. Going to dinner with someone you met in orientation? Say yes. Invited to walk through the Gothic Quarter with your roommate from the Tarragona trip?
