Thursday 04-04-2024 - 16:19

Hola amigos!

Welcome to my incredible study abroad experience in Barcelona. I spent a year studying in this vibrant city and I want to take you along my journey. If you are thinking about studying abroad yourself, this blog is for you! I have some tips and tricks for the ultimate study abroad experience.

 

 

Tip Number 1. Choosing a Country 

Choosing where to go can be difficult, so it’s important to do your research in advance and think about the following questions:

• Where is the university situated and what is nearby?
• What is the educational standard at the university?
• What is the standard of public transport? Is it frequent?
• What language(s) is spoken?
• What is the cost of living? 
• What job opportunities are there? (Optional)
• What are the visa and residency requirements?
• What are the typical flight prices to go home? - if you are considering visiting home a few times during your experience, I would recommend choosing a country closer to home that has cheap flights available. 

I chose to study in Barcelona because the city had a cheaper cost of living, the university was ranked top 6 in the country, and I had always wanted to learn Spanish. 

 

 

Tip Number 2. Sort Documentation Early 

The sooner you sort your Visa and documentation, the smoother your transition abroad will be. I made the mistake of leaving this until the last minute, which added unnecessary stress to my experience. Make sure to email Edge Hill and the university abroad early about what information and documents you need to gather. Google is also your best friend here!

 

 

Tip Number 3. Accommodation 

Within the first 2 weeks of confirmation onto your course, ensure that you have booked your accommodation. I would also recommend searching for a central location when flat-hunting - something close to the university is beneficial.  I left this crucial step until a month prior, and spent my first 2 weeks in a cheap hotel whilst frantically flat searching. This resulted in missed opportunities to socialise and meet new people, as well as a delay in starting my classes.

During my first semester in Spain, I lived with locals in a flat. They helped me with residency documentation, familiarisation with the surrounding area and making travel plans to maximise my time there. 
In the second semester, I moved in with some friends I made during the first term. I formed close bonds with people my age, and it was a very sociable and fun experience. 

 

 

Tip Number 4. Language Barriers

Language barriers are not as concerning as you may think. I departed to Spain with zero knowledge of Spanish, apart from a couple of months on Duolingo. I lived in a town where little English was spoken, so the language barrier felt huge.

Fortunately, I met other international students on my first day at university, who also spoke little Spanish, and I instantly felt less alone. I took beginner Spanish classes, signed up for only English classes when applying for my course, and put my Spanish into practice every day. I came out of the experience with a substantial log of Spanish and Catalan vocab, as well as a new-found self-confidence.

If you’re not confident in the language of your chosen destination, you’re not alone, and there are plenty of resources to help you learn and practice. 

 

 

Tip Number 5. Making Friends

Socialising can be difficult for some people, but there are many other international students in the same boat as you. Class is a great way to start making friends. Chat to the person next to you, find out where they are from. Invite them for a coffee after class. Facebook university chats are also a great way to get in touch with some people beforehand!

 

Tip Number 6. Travel!

Make the most of your experience by travelling as much as possible whilst living abroad. I travelled to approximately 5 countries and over 15 towns and cities whilst living in Spain. You can cut costs by booking cheap Airbnb’s, using SkyScanner for cheap flights, and cooking to avoid eating out all the time. 

During my experience, I went to the South of Spain for 10 days, which cost me 60 euros for flights, coaches and accommodation, and I made amazing, lifelong memories. 

Studying abroad allowed me to grow so much and make friends from all parts of the world, who I will have bonds with for the rest of my life. I would recommend this experience to anyone!  
Edge Hill University website has a webpage called ‘Study Abroad for Outgoing Students’ which has more information about study abroad and how to apply, check it out if you're interested.

Adios!