Are you thinking about mixing things up during your college experience? Do you want to live more adventurously, step outside your comfort zone, and study abroad? If so, you could choose to study abroad in Barcelona, or explore one of many incredible destinations across Europe or around the globe.
If you’re interested in studying abroad, there are several crucial factors to consider when making your decision. Below, we’ll first explore the top reasons to study abroad in general, and then dive into why studying abroad in Barcelona can be a truly unforgettable experience.
Without further fluff, let’s get into it.
1) Top 7 Reasons to Study Abroad
1. Explore the World
There is no better time to see the world than during your college years. This is a period of life when you are relatively free, before full-time jobs, long-term responsibilities, and limited vacation days take over. College life can be stressful, and studying abroad offers a much-needed break while still earning academic credit.
For example, why stress when you can hop on a plane for a weekend getaway somewhere in Europe?
Realistically, most of us won’t have the chance to travel extensively later in life. Studying abroad gives you a head start, allowing you to explore multiple countries while completing your degree. You’ll likely travel with close friends, or make new ones along the way — and create lifelong memories (plus a pretty solid Instagram #lowkeyflex).
2. Education
Choosing to study abroad introduces you to a completely different classroom dynamic. In the United States, education often comes with strict rules and rigid structures. Studying abroad, especially in Europe, exposes you to new grading systems, teaching styles, and academic expectations.
From alternative transportation methods (hello, mopeds) to different cultural norms around education, the experience broadens your perspective and helps you adapt to new environments, a valuable skill both personally and professionally.
3. Practice & Refine Your Language Skills
Most students study foreign languages throughout elementary school, high school, and college, but practice is usually limited to classmates and instructors. Studying abroad allows you to fully immerse yourself in the language by communicating with native speakers daily.
Successfully holding real conversations with locals is incredibly rewarding and reinforces that your years of studying have paid off. You’ll also learn slang, expressions, and cultural nuances you’d never find in a textbook. Suddenly, words like “vale” become second nature.
Bonus: research shows bilingualism may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s later in life, truly a win-win.
4. Try out new foods
One of the best parts of studying abroad? The food.
From tapas and sangria in Spain (you can even pair tapas with beer), schnitzel in Germany, baklava in Greece, couscous in Morocco, pasta in Italy, and goulash in Hungary, the list is endless. Every destination brings new flavors and traditions, and leaving often becomes the hardest part.
Just make sure your camera roll has space, because the camera definitely eats first.
5. Internships, Networking & Career Opportunities
International work experience is a major resume booster. Interning abroad allows you to experience different work cultures, develop global connections, and stand out to future employers.
In Spain, for example, work schedules are often more flexible, with some businesses embracing the famous siesta. Experiencing alternative work-life balances can reshape your perspective on productivity and career goals. Who knows, that internship abroad might even turn into a full-time opportunity.
As Eminem once said: “You only get one shot…”
6. Meet New Friends and Befriend Locals
Studying abroad introduces you to people from all over the world. Whether through classes, travel, or daily life, you’ll form friendships that often last a lifetime.
Starting your program without knowing many people, and finishing it with a tight-knit group, is one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.
7. Get To Know Yourself Better
Stepping outside your comfort zone helps you grow in ways nothing else can. Just as college itself was a big leap, studying abroad pushes you even further. You’ll return home not just with stories, but with a deeper understanding of who you are and what matters to you.
2) Studying Abroad in Barcelona
While there may be no place like home, there is truly no place like Barcelona.
No one in the history of humanity has ever genuinely said, “Yeah, Barcelona is just okay.” Tourism thrives here thanks to the city’s art, architecture, food, culture — and endless energy. Barcelona is a global hub that must be experienced firsthand to fully understand its magic.
It’s also one of the most popular destinations for students looking to study abroad, bolster education, and we’re sure the legal drinking age of 18 has absolutely nothing to do with that… right?
Let’s dive into the Top 13 Reasons to Study Abroad in Barcelona.
The Top 13 Reasons to Study Abroad in Barcelona
1. The Legal Drinking Age
Yes, we’ll address it right away, the legal drinking age in Barcelona is 18. No red tags, MIPs, or unnecessary stress. Many students study abroad before turning 21, making Barcelona an ideal place to enjoy nightlife responsibly.
The craft beer scene in Barcelona is also growing rapidly, pairing perfectly with the city’s rich wine culture.
Important note: CocoVail Beer Hall promotes responsible consumption, keep it fun and safe. Don’t be a fool, keep it cool. Plus, you don’t want to be on the next season of Locked Up Abroad.
2. Barcelona Is the World’s Best City
Barcelona offers the perfect balance of beach life, urban culture, and historic charm. Located on the Mediterranean and surrounded by hills, the city provides breathtaking views, and outdoor adventures.
The city is also nestled in some hills, so there are outdoor activities anviews that will literally take your breath away. Public service announcement: remember to breathe. Go to Tibidabo, for example, a theme park that’s a stone’s throw away with a vantage point of the city that is a must. There is so much to do in Barcelona, we guarantee your few months here will be some of the best in your life.
It’s very historical. They’ve excavated resources that prove people settled this area as early as 5000 BC, for example!
We bring up these factors without even mentioning the culture here. It is rich and diverse, but those words alone can’t do it justice.
3. The Beach
Well, it’s a beach…
What else is there to say?
Okay, we lied, because actually, there are many beaches from Barceloneta on up north to Poble Nou.
Barceloneta is definitely the most accessible and therefore gets a bit crowded, especially during the summer. However, there are many, many options moving up and down the coastline.
You can go to the quaint, beautiful beach in Sitges, which is close using the regional train, Renfe. Or you can go north to Costa Brava, which is amazing, we mean absolutely stunning.
4. F.C. Barcelona
Lionel Messi… is no longer here, sadly, but F.C. Barcelona has a rich tradition of playing great soccer. The team is currently going through a rebuilding phase, but they’ll be back in form soon enough. Regardless of the team’s performance, the stadium and the games there are worth one go during your time here, at least. It is the largest stadium in Europe, if not one of the largest stadiums.
F.C. Barcelona, which is “more than a club” and truly a central element to Barcelona, Catalunya and its culture.
5. Gastronomy
The Mediterranean diet may be one of the healthiest in the world. Where else can you find lifelong cigarette smokers living into their 90s?
We are kidding about the cigarettes, of course, but there are so many options to satiate your desires.
If you want traditional Spanish cuisine, you have it in spades here. If you want Asian, South American, Middle Eastern, or Indian food, it is at your disposal. Of course, if you want a bit of home cooking and traditional American grub, CocoVail has it. We offer chicken wings with many traditional sauces and marinades, including (but not limited to) buffalo, honey BBQ, teriyaki, ranch, and blue cheese.
Furthermore, CocoVail is one of the only places with traditional Buffalo Chicken Wings in Barcelona.
6. Gaudí & Company
You don’t have to know a lot about Barcelona, but surely you have heard of Gaudí before. He is famous for the many architectural features of the city. La Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, and La Pedrera are just a few of his creations.
In fact, CocoVail is situated right next to Casa Batlló, which is one of his best creations. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some craft beer in Barcelona, then mosey over to witness his historical building in person?
The other people who influenced the region are: Miró, Dalí, and Picasso. Surely you can identify at least one of those names… No worries if not, all the more reason to come!
7. Castellers
One of the very cool, and very distinct elements of Catalan culture is the tradition of the castellers. You won’t see this type of activity anywhere else in the world (at least as far as we know). It’s a community activity / sport where a team of people get together and build human towers. They construct different structures with various bases and reach various heights, and some get to be two stories tall or so! If you come here, we recommend trying to catch this event sometime. It’s worth witnessing, and one of those things you can only truly appreciate in person.
8. Cool Things to Do in Barcelona
So you know you can have a drink here (Reason #1) and you know you can go to the beach (Reason #3), but did you know that there is a whole bunch of activities in the city? We feel it is important to get a lay of the land early in your trip. For example, you can go on a bike tour with Steel Donkey Bike Tours and quickly get an idea of what the city is like. Their Barcelona experts won’t just show you around, but they will also give you a personal touch of history and appreciation for the city. You don’t have to be a history buff or a lover of architecture to get some valuable tidbits from their knowledgeable, experienced guides. Heck, they may even point you in the right direction regarding where you should grab some great food or other well-kept secrets tucked away in the many barrios around town.
Aside from saddling up with Steel Donkeys, there’s no shortage of other fun and creative activities to enjoy in Barcelona. You could attempt to break out of one of the city’s many escape rooms, such as Xcape Room BCN, learn how to take amazing photos on your phone or DSLR on a street photography tour with Shutter Kings, or even practice your Ragnar Lothbrok impersonation at Barcelona Axe Throwing club. The city boasts a dazzling array of distractions and things to do, and you’ll discover plenty more inspiration when you get here.
9. Location, Location, Location
You can get to dozens of destinations from Barcelona for a very affordable price…
Many students opt for spending a few weekends during their study abroad experience in different places.
A few cities/ countries that are readily accessible from here are: Paris, Lisbon, Ibiza, London, Germany, Madrid, Seville, Granada, Italy, Andorra, United Kingdom, Amsterdam, Vienna, San Sebastian, Switzerland, and Morocco. Granted, this is not a comprehensive list, but it offers a few of the places one can visit while studying abroad in Barcelona.
Travel tip: once you decide to study abroad in Barcelona, make sure you book your flights and travel arrangements early. It’s a good way to save on travel, so you can spend more during your experience wherever you may go.
10. Affordability
Sure, the exchange rate with the Euro is not very favorable currently. There are many factors for that, most of which we don’t fully understand, who really understands it all anyway?
Despite this factor, Barcelona is very affordable compared to many other big cities in Europe. You can also compare it to living in the United States.
No matter what the comparison, you can have fun here and not break the bank, that is for certain.
Of course, you can break the bank and have fun as well, who are we to say otherwise?
11. Ain’t No Party Like a Barcelona Party, because a Barcelona Party Don’t Stop…
Barcelona never sleeps, except maybe for a siesta during the middle of the day…
We mean it… People eat breakfast here anytime from 9- 11 AM, eat lunch around 2/3 PM, and finally get dinner in their bellies around 9/10 PM. That means that parties literally don’t start until around 1-2 AM, and therefore don’t end until the sun comes up or even well into the next day.
Staying up till the sun rises always makes for a good time, especially as a college kid experiencing something totally unique for a limited time. Just try not to pull an all nighter before an exam… Or do it. YOLO, right?
Obviously, right now night life is a bit mellow / non-existent due to Covid-19; however, things are starting to look up, and people will be back at it in no time. Stay tuned to local changes in laws and restrictions, so you know what is going on specifically.
12. Barcelona’s Energy
There is an energy in Barcelona that is uncanny. You can’t find it in any other location. We believe it derives from the universal acceptance of many people from all around the world. Sure, it is a Catalan/ Spanish city, but it really is a hub that represents the whole world and all of its cultures.
If you walk down Les Rambles, for example, you will hear people speaking languages from countries peppered around the continents. You can literally see the full spectrum of human faces, races, and backgrounds.
It is important to address the terrorist attack on August 17th, 2017 in Barcelona. It is tragic and will take time to mend the wounds, both literal and figurative.
We also have to note the recent political unrest with the Independence Movement that surged over the past few years. It’s not a dangerous situation, fret not. There are a lot of emotions and passion behind what is going on here, and it’s not our place to draw a line in the sand or dictate how to feel about it.
Even with this relative confusion, there is love in this city and there is a conscious commonality that will always bind us. Just as the numerous other cities around the world have evolved, Barcelona will as well. The energy and love in Barcelona will blossom as it always has.
Hopefully fear of these sort of events will not deter people from traveling and enjoying one of the treasures of human society, of which there are many. We should strive for unity and acceptance in the face of such uncertainty and violence.
13. Barcelona Is for Everyone
Whether you are a party animal, one who craves cultural nuances, a chiller, or simply looking to travel, Barcelona has it all. When you study abroad in Barcelona, you will return home enriched, with an amplified appreciation for life.
It will be the experience of a lifetime, we guarantee it.