Watching the view of Barcelona inch closer as my plane prepared for landing was a surreal and daunting moment as the reality set in—I was preparing to live in a foreign country I had never even visited. As an anxious student, landing in Barcelona, Spain for my semester study abroad experience was nerve-wracking and exciting, and all of these emotions were complicated by the fact that I had completed hours upon hours of international travel completely alone. 

The first week in a new country sounds scary, but I knew that diving headfirst into my temporary home was necessary and exhilarating for the feeling of connection to my host city that I was so desperately seeking. The events that made up my first seven days studying abroad in Barcelona, including my participation in program-led activities on top of independent exploration of the amazing corners of this unique city, made my settling in that much easier. 

Exploring the city with newfound friends! We saw jaw-dropping views at La Sagrada Familia. 

Airport Arrival 

Deboarding my plane and navigating my baggage was stressful as I was filled with nervous jitters for what my life was about to become. Luckily, these worries were combatted and eased immediately with the supportive assistance of CEA CAPA staff here in Barcelona.  

My first week in Barcelona kicked off with a friendly face adorned in CEA CAPA gear waving students down in the arrival wing of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Smiling staff were overjoyed to welcome the cohort of students from all over the US, immediately introducing themselves and welcoming us to the beautiful city of Barcelona.  

Due to the universal date all of us were told to fly into Spain, the airport was filled with all of my new classmates for the semester. Mingling was encouraged and it suddenly did not feel nearly as lonely or frightening to be so far from home! We were encouraged to chat with one another in an open area of the airport where we were later called out in groups to be directed to drivers CEA CAPA had collaborated with for shuttles to our housing assignments.  

I had selected the residencia housing option for Barcelona, and was carpooling with other students who would be residing in my same building for the duration of the semester. This frictionless travel to my housing was calming and stress-free, which was a relief following such a strenuous travel day.  

Housing Adjustment  

The support from welcoming onsite folks in Barcelona continued even in my specific housing assignment, where a CEA CAPA staff member was excitedly awaiting our arrival from the airport shuttle service. The door was opened for communication with this person as a resource to voice any questions or concerns about this exciting yet intimidating new chapter of our undergraduate lives. Meeting so many people who emphasized their willingness to support new students studying abroad was beyond reassuring in these first moments in Barcelona! 

My residencia, located in the midst of the incredible neighborhood of Poblenou, houses hundreds of exchange students from various programs and from all over the world. This unique housing choice strayed from my familiarity with US university residence halls, as here there are community and/or culturally-focused events offered almost every night of the week in the lobby that are open to the entire building. Familiarizing myself with these events, on top of exploring my newfound neighborhood on foot every evening of my first week in Barcelona, has assisted with feeling tied to the city.  

A view of the Poblenou neighborhood! 

Orientation  

Attending CEA CAPA orientation events supplemented the first week of my study abroad in Barcelona in a handful of ways—whether it was by meeting friends who I have already begun to plan travels with, or to know more about Barcelona’s culture as a whole from the insight of locals. These events, which are usually included in the cost of your program, boosted my first week studying abroad in Barcelona by a mile.  

Ranging from city tours that reveal the most breathtaking sights and fascinating cultural norms of the city, to scavenger hunts that bond you with a couple of students from states away as you walk thousands of steps finding every crevice of Barcelona, these orientation plans were invaluable! There was not a single event I regretted attending, as I gained valuable insight on my new home at each and every new landmark I visited or street I wandered down.  

Driving by La Sagrada Familia on the orientation bus tour! 

Key Takeaways 

Studying abroad in a new country can be scary, shockingly unfamiliar, and cause for immense amounts of cultural shock. The necessity of adjusting to the change of pace while studying abroad in a city like Barcelona can be made easy by taking advantage of all opportunities offered to you as a form of enriching your study abroad experience.  

What I have learned in my first week of settling into my Barcelona semester abroad is that there are always resources around to assist you with anything you may need—no matter how silly it may seem! Feeling so supported so early in my program has made all the difference, and has set up a foundation of comfort that will continue to enhance my study abroad experience in Barcelona.