Looking back on my five months in Barcelona, I can honestly say that my Erasmus semester was one of the most valuable and unforgettable experiences of my life. During the summer semester 2026, I studied at the Universidad de Barcelona as part of my
Master’s degree in Secondary Education with Mathematics and Physics. Of course, there were moments that were challenging, especially at the beginning, but every single one of them was worth it. This experience allowed me to grow academically, personally and culturally in ways that would never have been possible if I had stayed at my home university.

The University

During my semester abroad, I attended a Spanish and Catalan language course, The Service-Learning (ApS), Didactics of Geography and Polítiques Socials Internacionals i Treball Social. Although most of these courses were not directly related to my Master’s programme, I found them to be incredibly enriching. They gave me the opportunity to explore subjects that I would probably not have chosen at my home university and broadened my perspective beyond my own field of study.
The Catalan language course was particularly valuable to me. Besides learning the basics of the language, it helped me develop a much deeper understanding of Catalonia, its history, culture and identity. Being able to understand why the Catalan language is so
important to many people made me appreciate the region on a completely different level allowed me to connect more closely with the place where I was living.
My first impression of the university was that the organisation was quite chaotic. Administrative processes, especially those concerning the Learning Agreement, often required a lot of patience, and communication was sometimes difficult. However, after a few weeks I realised that things simply worked a little differently than I was used to in Austria. Once I adapted to this different way of organising things, it became much easier to enjoy everything the university had to offer.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the teaching staff. Every professor I met was incredibly kind, approachable and genuinely interested in supporting students whenever help was needed. Their enthusiasm for teaching was inspiring, and it was obvious that they cared not only about the academic content but also about creating a positive learning environment. Compared to my home university, the classes were much more interactive. Students were encouraged to participate actively, share their own opinions and work together in discussions instead of simply listening to lectures. This made learning much more engaging and enjoyable.

The campus itself also contributed greatly to my positive experience. Located on a hill on the outskirts of Barcelona, it offers beautiful views over the surrounding area and creates a calm atmosphere that is perfect for studying. One day we even spotted a wild boar walking across the campus, which was definitely one of the more unexpected moments of the semester. The campus cafeteria quickly became one of our favourite places, where we spent many breaks together drinking coffee, chatting about university life and making plans for the afternoons.
The university also made a great effort to welcome international students by organising many activities during the first weeks of the semester. These events made it very easy to meet people from all over Europe, and within a short time I felt like I had found a wonderful international community.

Accomodation

During my stay, I lived in a shared apartment with three other people, which I had found through Spotahome before arriving in Barcelona. Overall, I was very happy with my accommodation. Like every shared flat, there were a few small imperfections, but nothing that seriously affected my stay. After hearing about some of the experiences of other Erasmus students, I realised how fortunate I had been with my accommodation, and it quickly became a place where I felt comfortable and at home.

The City

It did not take long before I completely fell in love with Barcelona. Even now, I already miss living there, and I often catch myself thinking back to the everyday moments that made this city so special. What fascinated me most was the atmosphere. Barcelona has a way of bringing people together through its countless squares, parks, cafés and public spaces, where life seems to happen outdoors. I loved the extensive network of bicycle paths, which made it easy to discover different neighbourhoods, and having the Mediterranean Sea only a short distance away made everyday life feel extraordinary. Some of my favourite memories are the afternoons when we finished our classes, packed our bags and went straight to the beach to watch the sunset together. Those simple moments are the ones I remember most fondly. Another thing that impressed me was the feeling that the people who live in Barcelona genuinely enjoy their city. There is a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to feel at home, even as an international student. The combination of beautiful architecture, vibrant streets, delicious food and the proximity to the sea creates a unique lifestyle that I had never experienced before.

Academic, Cultural and Social Experience

Academically, one of the most enriching parts of my semester was the course Polítiques Socials Internacionals i Treball Social. As a future mathematics and physics teacher, this subject was quite different from what I usually study, which made it especially interesting. It allowed me to gain new perspectives on social policy and international welfare systems while broadening my understanding beyond my own field of study.

More generally, I appreciated the different teaching culture at the Universidad de Barcelona. The professors taught with remarkable enthusiasm and dedication, creating an atmosphere in which students felt encouraged to participate actively instead of
remaining passive listeners. This made the classes much more dynamic and motivated me to engage more deeply with the course content.
Outside the classroom, my Erasmus experience was equally enriching. Thanks to the many activities organised by the university, I made countless friendships with students from all over Europe. Although I spent most of my time with other Erasmus students, I also became friends with several local students whom I met during my courses. Learning about different cultures, traditions and ways of thinking through everyday conversations was just as valuable as everything I learned in class.
One difference that stood out to me was the more relaxed atmosphere at the university. Even though studying felt less stressful than at home, I never had the impression that the quality of education suffered because of it. Instead, this balance created a learning environment that was both motivating and enjoyable.

Personal Reflection

Looking back, I realise how much this experience has changed me. Living in another country taught me to become more independent, more open-minded and more confident when facing new situations. My English improved significantly through everyday conversations with international students, and I also had the opportunity to learn some Spanish and Catalan, which made me appreciate the local culture even more. I am convinced that this semester abroad will have a positive impact on my future career as a teacher. Above all, it has helped me grow as a person. Experiencing another education system, working with people from many different cultural backgrounds and learning to adapt to unfamiliar situations are skills that I will certainly carry with me into my professional life.
If I had to describe my Erasmus experience in just one sentence, I would say that it exceeded all of my expectations. Without hesitation, I would rate it a 10 out of 10. The friendships I made, the opportunity to live in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and the countless unforgettable memories are things I will always be grateful for. Although dealing with organisational matters, especially the Learning Agreement, was sometimes frustrating, these challenges became insignificant compared to everything I gained from this experience.
Participating in the Erasmus+ programme reminded me how fortunate I am to be part of the European Union. The opportunity to study abroad so easily, meet people from different cultures and experience another way of life is something truly special. I am
deeply grateful for this opportunity and will always look back on my time in Barcelona with a smile.

Photos & Text: Johanna Sattmann