---
title: ¡Hola, Barcelona!
description: Discover the transformative experience of studying abroad in Barcelona through the eyes of a Turkish-American student. Find out how cultural immersion fosters personal and academic growth.
---

[CIS Abroad Blog ](https://blog.cisabroad.com)

# [¡Hola, Barcelona!](https://blog.cisabroad.com/hola-barcelona)

 Written by [CIS Abroad Blog Team](https://blog.cisabroad.com/author/cis-abroad-blog-team) | Jul 2, 2025 5:19:29 PM

Before I left for Barcelona, I had many thoughts and feelings running through my mind. I was excited, nervous, and curious all at once. I expected the experience to be life-changing. I thought it would help me grow as a person, both academically and personally. I hoped to meet new people, learn about a different culture, and improve my Spanish. I believed Barcelona would be full of history, art, and energy. I imagined beautiful buildings, delicious food, and a lively culture that was different from what I knew. 

One of the things I was most excited about was living in a new country. I wanted to experience daily life in Spain, not just as a tourist, but as a student. I looked forward to trying new foods like tapas and paella, visiting famous places like La Sagrada Familia, and walking along the beach. I was also very excited to take classes in a different setting and to meet other international students. At the same time, I was nervous. I worried about feeling homesick or getting lost in the city. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to understand everything in Spanish, and I was scared of making mistakes. I also wondered if I would make friends easily or if I would feel alone. But even with these worries, I knew that stepping out of my comfort zone would help me grow.

My biggest motivation to study abroad was the chance to experience a new culture and to see the world from a different point of view. As a Turkish-American, I already know how valuable it is to understand more than one culture. I wanted to add Spanish culture to that mix. I also hope to work in healthcare one day, and learning about the Spanish healthcare system will help me understand how other countries care for their people.

When I first arrived in Barcelona, I noticed many cultural differences. People here eat dinner much later than in the U.S., sometimes at 9 or 10 at night! The pace of life is slower, and people take time to enjoy meals and conversations. I also noticed that people dress more formally than what I was used to. Public transportation is easy to use and very clean. And of course, hearing Catalan and Spanish around me every day is a big change from English.

One thing I really like is how social the culture is. People spend a lot of time outside, talking in cafes, walking in parks, or sitting at the beach. It feels very alive and welcoming. Even though I still make mistakes when speaking Spanish, people have been kind and helpful. Studying abroad in Barcelona has already taught me a lot. I’m learning how to be more independent and how to adapt to new situations. I’m meeting people from different countries and hearing their stories. It’s only the beginning, but I can already say that this experience is opening my mind and helping me grow in ways I never imagined. I can’t wait to see what else I will learn and discover in the weeks to come. For anyone thinking about studying abroad, I say go for it! It might be scary at first, but it will be worth it.

 

Check out all of our programs in Barcelona [here](https://cisabroad.com/programs?country=Spain)!

Blog by Selin Buyuk, Michigan State University

[View full post](https://blog.cisabroad.com/hola-barcelona)

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