As I am entering my final few months on my study abroad exchange, I thought I would write about the friendships and connections I have made while living in Barcelona. Spending a whole year in this city has given me the chance to meet lots of interesting people and form connections that I know will endure even after I leave. Even now, nearing the end of my time here, I’m still meeting new people, and I thought I would share some of my experiences.

Before Exchange

Firstly, before you leave it is so helpful to make connections with people who are also going away. Whether it’s just one friend or a small group, having someone to chat with when you arrive can really help ease the transition. Sometimes, you’ll find that friends of friends, or someone knows someone going to your city. This is how I met a few people, however, joining Erasmus group chats or international student group chats are a great way of finding people. These can be on Facebook or WhatsApp or sometimes your host university sets them up. I also did the University of Glasgow Go Abroad buddy programme which paired me with someone from Glasgow which was so nice in the first months as I had someone from home I could relate to. Even if you find after a few weeks you connect more with other people you’ve met, having these people when you initially move is so beneficial to not feel alone in the first weeks.

Meeting people at university

The closest friendships I’ve forged while abroad have been with fellow international students in my courses. While I have met locals, I have found that forming connections with other international students is much easier as everyone is in the same situation and keen to explore your new host countries. With a significant Erasmus presence at my university, I’ve interacted with students from all over Europe, and it has been interesting to meet people from different cultures and learn more about them. As I primarily have Scottish friends back home in Glasgow, making friends from various backgrounds has been a refreshing change.

Despite the initial apprehension of not knowing anyone, I’ve discovered that attending all the mingling events, even if they’re occasionally awkward, is the most effective way to make friends. Some of the people I met at these initial events have become my closest friends today. These events are often organised through the Erasmus network, and as a UK student, you can participate in them all. There are general Erasmus events for the city, as well as those specific to my university. In Barcelona, where there are numerous universities, the broader Erasmus events are always popular. However, events tailored to my university, such as UPF Erasmus, are also well-attended, with social gatherings and trips organised weekly, not just at the beginning of terms. While attending these events can be daunting, they offer the best opportunity to meet people, as everyone is in the same situation and eager to connect.

Outside of university

Beyond my university life, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with numerous individuals. Barcelona, being an exceptionally international city, attracts a diverse range of young people from around the globe for both work and study. Thus, there are lots of social groups and networks outside of universities for people to engage with. In Barcelona, for instance, there are many organisations that host social events, such as City Girls Barcelona.

Personally, I’ve attended several running groups, which have been great for meeting new people. The group I attend most weeks is called ‘Midnight Runners’ and they have groups in cities all over the world. It is free to attend and both English and Spanish is spoken, this means that it is a great way to meet locals and practise my Spanish. They encourage interactions with new individuals each week, providing a wonderful opportunity for socialising. Thanks to Barcelona’s big student population, I’ve found it easy to meet people, with events consistently promoting new friendships.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I have loved my time studying abroad and a huge part of this is due to the people I have met. Making friends was one of the biggest things I feared beforehand. I had many friends from my hometown also attending Glasgow University in my first year which provided a sense of familiarity, so coming abroad and knowing no one was something I had never experienced. It is scary in the first weeks to put yourself out there, but I found having a few contacts before going made this easier and everyone wants to make friends, so it becomes less and less scary the more you go to events and your classes. I am very grateful for the people I have met abroad, and it will be sad to have my year come to an end, but I am already making plans to meet up with my friends after the year finishes.