Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona Review (2)

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona Review (2)

University: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

City: Barcelona

Country: Spain

Continent: Europe

Field of study: business administration

Study type: semester abroad

Preparation:

MicroEdu alone offers so many opportunities to go abroad that it doesn’t make the choice of country and university any easier. The city and the quality of the university were very important to me, but the UAB in Barcelona was selected at very short notice. I was able to apply for a semester from September to December until mid-June. Due to the application deadline, everything had to be done very quickly, but the application was really very uncomplicated and the good support from MicroEdu made me feel like I was in good hands. Check liuxers.com to see DBS study abroad opportunities.

Then I only had to select the courses, whereby the number (and thus costs) can be flexibly designed and the offer sounds interesting. I was only able to get some credit for the courses, but everyone has to clarify that individually with the university in Germany. Except for proof of English, certificates and application forms, you don’t have to pay much attention (e.g. visa). After acceptance, all you have to do is transfer the fees, maybe check the validity of your ID and credit card and check insurance cover. The flights are also very cheap, so everything worked out spontaneously.

Reside:

Apps: Idealista, Spotahome, Badi and Nestpick
Period: one week in advance is sufficient, but it probably depends on your personality how far in advance you want to plan.
Prices: 300 – 700 €

I looked for a shared room using various apps such as Idealista, Spotahome, Badi and Nestpick. Although I checked in Germany from time to time, I only contacted the brokers on site and only looked at three rooms. When viewing the third apartment, two German girls from the same CoCo program were already standing in front of the door, who could report on their experiences. I think it’s good if you look at the apartment on the spot and only then sign and pay, because there are big differences. If you arrive a few days in advance, it is usually possible to find something spontaneously, at least it worked wonderfully for me and my new roommates and fellow students.

I lived with seven girls in the middle of the city, on Gran Via at the corner of Passeig de Gracia. The location was perfect: five minutes walk to the university on the Eixample campus, in one direction the modern Eixample district, in the other direction the old town – everything within walking distance. The rooms in the apartment cost between 550 and 650 euros. That’s not a little, but in conclusion it was the right choice. The location and apartment were very good, only the mediating agency was not always reliable. But I’ve heard similar things from others. A little patience and maybe not taking some things so exactly, then it’ll be fine.

City:

Barcelona – a charming city by the sea ! A beautiful city that offers art, culture and food in the sun on the beach . There really is something for everyone, whether museums (admission is free on selected days, such as Thursdays at the Picasso Museum or every first Sunday of the month at the Art Museum), of course the Gaudi artworks and houses or outdoors to Montjuic, Tibidabo, Park Güell, Laberint d’Horta, Bunkers del Carmel or just go to the Gothic Quarter. There are nice cafes and restaurants everywhere, as well as shopping opportunities. And of course the beaches right in Barceloneta or just discover the nearby places like Sitges. Various organizers offer excursions and hikes in the surrounding area for students, so that you can explore the area cheaply with Erasmus Bcn, such as Montserrat, Girona, Andorra, wine tours, etc.

Celebrations: there were a lot of rooftop parties and festivals in the city especially in September, but throughout the year there are clubs on the beach like Shoko, Opium etc, Razzmatazz, Input or Gatsby Bar, Bling Bling, Sutton.

Barcelona is an international city with a really diverse people and it was just at this time that you could feel the spirit of the independence movement and the clear differences between Catalonia and Spain.

University:

The courses that you choose when you apply take place at two different locations: one in the center of the city in the Eixample district, the other beautifully situated further out.
I have chosen two academic courses in English: International Economics and International Financeand a Spanish language course. International Economics was the most complex, as the lecturer used all kinds of learning methods, such as mid-term and final exams, three short papers, a presentation, regular quizzes and homework. This leads to good preparation and the lecturer is really committed, but it also involves a little more effort. International Finance consisted of a mid term and a final exam, with a small presentation. The teacher was really nice too. Both courses are easy to do and interesting. The Spanish course was also very good.

Overall, the course size is smaller (20-30 students) than in Germany, something has to be done continuously throughout the semester, attendance is often compulsory, but everything is easy to do, interesting and the lecturers are nice.

Conclusion:

Barcelona is a beautiful city with many opportunities – there is still a lot to discover, so I would go back in a heartbeat! Studying for a semester at a prestigious university and living in a big seaside city that offers many opportunities is a great option.

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona Review (2)