Erasmus Experience in Barcelona, Spain by Anastasiia

Why did you choose to go to Barcelona, Spain?

I chose Barcelona because it is a very beautiful city. There are many things to do, the weather is pretty good and it is located by the sea! I decided to move here because of the university where all the classes are in English.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

There are plenty of internships with different short and long terms (3 months minimum) and the salary is from 100 to 500 euro. Sometimes the pay includes different benefits (for example food or accommodation). It doesn't really help me with living costs but it does provide a great experience which will be very useful in the future.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Barcelona?

Barcelona is a perfect city for students! Starting with the cultural activities and ending with many clubs and pubs. There are also many more things to do and see for students.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Barcelona to other students?

I would definitely recommend the city.

What is the food like?

Barcelona has a lot of good places to have a great brunch or dinner. There are many pretty cheap places as well as very good and expensive restaurants. The most popular food in Barcelona are tapas.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Barcelona?

Some agencies charge around 700 euros to help you with accommodation.

How much does it cost to live in Barcelona?

It depends if you rent a room, a flat or if you stay in the halls of residence. An average cost for a room is 400 euros per month, 500 euros for halls of residence and 700 euros for a good-sized, cosy flat.

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Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

I don't know about the university but there are many good and not very expensive language schools around Barcelona. Moreover, it is possible to survive in this city with the knowledge of English because the city is very touristic and everybody speaks English at least a little bit.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Barcelona from your city?

I always travel with Vueling Airlines.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Barcelona?

A recommend a walk on the beach. La Barceloneta is full of good night clubs. Shoko and Opium are the best ones.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Barcelona?

Unfortunately, I can't just choose one. But if you're walking around the central part of Avenida Diagonal, you can find a lot different restaurants there.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

• Parc Güell
• Mountain Tibidabo
• Monserrat
• Sagrada Familia
• Casa Milà
• Barceloneta beach
• Arc de Triomf
• Barcelona Port
• Port Aventura
• Barrio Gótico
• Plaza Cataluña
• Montjuic

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Barcelona in the future?

Be careful in the public places, there are many pickpockets!