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Studying in Barcelona: A Guide for American Exchange Students

Started by JessicaBoston · 22 septembre 2025 · 9 replies · 📖 Read as Guide
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JessicaBoston
Semester at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Boston University exchange
Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 111
22 septembre 2025 #1
Just finished my semester at UPF in Barcelona and honestly the experience was nothing like I expected from the brochures. The city is incredible but the practical realities -- housing crisis, language politics, tourist fatigue -- need to be talked about honestly. Here is my full guide based on five months of actual living, not vacationing.

Pour aller plus loin, découvrez destinations dog-friendly en France.

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MikeFromMichigan
Considering UB for spring exchange
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 33
September 26, 2025#2
The Catalan language section was a wake-up call. My Spanish is intermediate and I assumed that would be enough. Now looking specifically at courses listed in Spanish or English before I finalize my enrollment.
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WanderlustEmma
Spent summer in Barcelona between Seoul semesters
Joined: Feb 2020Posts: 157
September 30, 2025#3
The housing scam warning is critical. I almost wired 600 euros for a room in Eixample that turned out to be fake. The listing had stolen photos from a legitimate Airbnb. Always verify in person or through a trusted video call.
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CamilleDuval
French student, did Erasmus at UAB
Joined: Jan 2019Posts: 128
October 04, 2025#4
As a French speaker learning Catalan was actually easier than expected -- the languages share Latin roots and many structures are similar. American students coming from English will find it harder but the effort is noticed and appreciated.
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BackpackerJake
Did a CIEE semester in Barcelona, now traveling Europe
Joined: Jul 2019Posts: 22
October 08, 2025#5
The Poble Sec recommendation is spot on. Carrer de Blai has pintxos bars where you eat well for 1.50-2 euros per tapa. Best food value in the entire city and zero tourists. My rent was 490 euros which was unheard of among my program friends paying 650 in Eixample.
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AidanDublin
Irish exchange student, did a year at UPF
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 201
October 12, 2025#6
The nightlife schedule is no joke. My first month I was going out at 11 PM and arriving at empty clubs. By month three I had fully adjusted to the 1 AM departure time but my 9 AM Tuesday class suffered badly.
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NatalieVancouver
Canadian at UB, comparative perspective US vs Canada programs
Joined: Apr 2022Posts: 111
October 16, 2025#7
One thing to add for American students: your US health insurance likely does not cover you in Spain. Get the European Health Insurance Card equivalent through your program or buy private coverage. Spanish public healthcare is excellent but access for non-EU students varies.
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LiamLondon
British student who studied at UPF, now working in Barcelona
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 21
October 20, 2025#8
I stayed after my exchange and now work here. The cost of living numbers are accurate for 2024 but expect 5-8% increases year over year. The housing market is getting worse not better. Start your search as early as humanly possible.
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SarahStudiesAbroad
Study abroad advisor, sends 40+ students to Barcelona yearly
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 169
October 24, 2025#9
Sharing this with every student heading to Barcelona next semester. The credit transfer section is especially important -- we see problems every year with students who assume ECTS converts one-to-one. Always get pre-approval in writing from your home registrar.
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EmmaManchester
Year abroad in Barcelona, English and Spanish literature
Joined: Jul 2019Posts: 78
October 28, 2025#10
The point about overscheduling weekends resonated hard. I flew somewhere every weekend for the first two months and was exhausted and broke by November. The best memories from my year were all local -- dinners in Gracia, sunrise hikes up Montjuic, lazy Sundays at the market.
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