"Living La Vida loca"

A semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain

31. Januar 2026

SOME PLACES FIND THEIR WAY INTO YOUR HEART FASTER THAN EXPECTED.

Hola Barcelona!

Bye Bye Germany

I had the opportunity to spend five unforgettable months as an exchange student in Barcelona. This beautiful city slowly became my second home. It was a time of cultural chaos and personal growth that broadened my perspective and helped me to step far beyond my comfort zone.

What once felt completely foreign became part of my everyday life. Coming from school and going directly to the beach to watch the sunset. Instead of my usual boring routine at home, I had the privilege to pass the beach promenade almost every day. Filled with music, people and the good vibes of Barcelona that you cannot put into words. In my memory I can still feel the breeze going to the city, the moisture that one can feel while getting closer to the sea.

when life gives you tapas instead of answers

Chaos, Coughing & Course Selection

The university was very overwhelming at first and on top of that I was sick for almost three weeks. It is safe to say that I totally underestimated the weather in February. In this time everything felt different and also exhausting. The usual safety patterns were suddenly out of reach. My family and close friends were far away, and I couldn’t simply visit my doctor or talk to my teachers when things got difficult. Everything I normally relied on felt distant.

In these moments I felt how foreign Barcelona was to me.

At the start, there were also many struggles with the university. Having to deal with not enough courses, unclear information, and somehow, I also even ended up in mathematics classes. I would never thought that I have to use a school calculator again … well turns out I was wrong. Being sick and dealing with all this was very nerve wrecking, but with support from home and the help from my buddy Andrea everything turned out fine.

"Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar."

" ... meaning there is no path, its created by walking. And that’s exactly what happened … "

The best part of barcelona

las personas <3

The difference between Mittweida and Barcelona was huge. Such a big city can easily make you feel very small. Thankfully, during my first week, I met many people and quickly formed friendships. Slowly, everything started to fall into place. I found my own routine and a great friendgroup with people from all over the world.

In those six months, I met so many different people. I had interesting conversations and, best of all, I got to know new cultures. One thing's for sure! it was never boring, and every day brought something exciting.

But meeting so many people every day can be very overwhelming, so I also spent a lot of time on my own. I went on little trips, for example travelled alone to the Pyrenees for a few days. Spain, especially Catalonia, stole my heart. I felt at home and secure.

How to Become a Spaniard:

I quickly realized that Spain is different from Germany. Not just in terms of the weather also in the whole mentality. Its loud, spontaneous and relaxed. I had to adapt to a different lifestyle that doesn’t match my German habits. Meaning: i had to break free from my own "German mindset”.

It’s harder than I expected. On one side you can almost reach the Spanish lightness of life and with the other hand your still stuck in the tightness of your own habits. The rules and strictness from home that give you safety and security.

The Art of Taking Life Less Seriously

But time changes a lot. Waking up with the sun shining through your bedroom in the morning does something with you. Your whole life becomes more unserious, more like drinking coffee with your friends and not worrying about anything. Something that I never imagined was the fact that at the end I was almost late to every meeting. At first I was flabbergasted about being late, but in Spain time is more of a suggestion. Being 30 minutes late? That’s basically early.

adios barcelona!

Hello Germany

Barcelona, Catalonia surprised me in a very positive way and I am already looking forward to going back. Whenever I hear a Spanish song on my playlist, I am reminded of the wonderful time I had there, or when I wear clothes I bought in Barcelona, I associate them with a core memory. Spain showed me how easy life can be : ) Today, I try to combine both: the German structure that gave me stability abroad and the Spanish lightheartedness as way of life. There is definitely still a Spanish part in me, even though I quickly got back to being on time again.

I can say for sure that i felt in love … In love with the city, the nature and especially the people. Now I am back in my familiar surroundings and I often miss my old Spanish daily routine, especially the siesta ; )