What is life like in Barcelona?
Barcelona is a vibrant cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast that enjoys mild weather year round. Its geographic location means that you can enjoy the urban thrum or escape easily to its beaches and surrounding mountains. Students typically enjoy the more relaxed pace of life and outdoor living. The food and culture are also a big draw and Spain tends to have a lower cost of living compared to other major European cities like Paris or London.
How do I get around Barcelona?
Barcelona has an excellent public transport system. It is efficient and affordable and you can move around the city with ease. There is an extensive metro system that connects with local buses, trams and trains. All the local universities are connected by local transport.
What is the weather like in Barcelona?
Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate that means that the weather tends to be mild and wet in the winter and hot and humid in the summer.
In fall, the weather will still be hot when students arrive, but will cool down by November. October is the wettest month and December the coolest, with the daytime average temperature at that time of year being 8-14ºC (46 - 57ºF). At the start of the spring semester the weather is cool and begins to warm up in March/April. The average springtime temperature is 12 - 23ºC (54 - 73ºF). March and April can also be wet, so it’s important to pack light waterproof clothes for both semesters.
How far is my commute to class?
As the local universities are dispersed around the city and beyond, all students will have to commute to class. Your classes will determine where you have to go and how long it will take. Students typically commute between 20 - 40 minutes, although some journeys can take up to 60 minutes.
Where will I live?
All students are housed at Beyoo Living-Marina Residence Hall. You will stay in a single room with a private bathroom and have access to shared living spaces.
Are meals included?
Meals are not included in the housing fees, however, you will have access to a fully-equipped shared kitchen for preparing your own meals or you can opt from a range of meal plans offered through Beyoo’s restaurant La Forastera. Meal plans can be purchased at additional cost. You can choose to eat exclusively at the restaurant or combine self-catering with occasional meals at La Forastera.
Is the local cuisine vegetarian/vegan friendly?
Yes, Barcelona is vegetarian/vegan friendly and has become even more so over the last few years. While traditional Catalan food is very meat-based, most restaurants in the city cater to a range of diets. You may encounter more difficulty meeting special dietary requirements if you travel to more rural areas of Catalonia.
How much free time do I have? What can I expect to do outside of class?
You can expect to have around 12 hours of class per week. If you select to undertake an internship or volunteer as part of the Pro Seminar course you will dedicate approximately a further 6.5 hours to that activity.
Outside of class, Barcelona offers a wide range of free time activities and what you choose to do depends on your interests; you can spend time outdoors at the city’s beaches and parks, explore the art and culture of the Barcelona at its many museums, or take part in a language exchange to further develop your Spanish or Catalan speaking skills. There are also many associations and clubs catering to a wide range of interests and open to the local and international community.
I have accommodations (academic, health, housing) at my home university. Can I expect the same accommodations in Barcelona?
Disability laws, resources, and practices vary, so you may not receive exactly the same accommodations when you are abroad as at your home institution. See the Health & Safety page for more details.
