Top 10 Barcelona Activities and Sights

Carina Pacheco is a student at University of Texas, Arlington and an ISA Featured Blogger. Carina is currently studying abroad with ISA in Barcelona, Spain.

Walking Through Barcelona

It’s almost impossible to believe that I’ve been here for 2 months already! Picking Barcelona as the host city for my study abroad experience has definitely been one of the best decisions I have ever made. There are no words to describe the amount of fun and adventure that I have come across while living in this fascinating city! So what are the reasons my time studying abroad in Barcelona has been so amazing?

No Place Like Home? Life in Barcelona

Karlie Jeneson is a student at Boise State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Karlie is currently studying abroad with ISA in Barcelona, Spain.

Crowd gathering in Plaza del Sol for the finale of fireworks, dragons, and Catalan towers of the Catalonia independence festival.

I thought there was no place like home. That is, until I lived in Gracia.

Barcelona is Definitely Not Texas

Carina Pacheco is a student at University of Texas, Arlington and an ISA Featured Blogger. Carina is currently studying abroad with ISA in Barcelona, Spain.

La Pedrera

It’s been a couple of weeks since I landed in Europe for the first time. I honestly still can’t believe this is really happening. Since before I came I thought this was all a dream. Now being here and walking through the streets of Barcelona, it has all finally begun to sink in.

Anxious About Studying Abroad? Forget About It!

Nicolette Finizio is a student at Florida State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Nicolette is currently studying abroad with ISA in Barcelona, Spain.

As the only Florida State University student studying abroad in Barcelona, one may wonder why I would decide to come to this foreign place, only accompanied by one carry-on bag and one duffel bag. As a middle child of three daughters, I have always had an independent attitude and outlook on life. I am very open- minded, love meeting new people from different cultures, backgrounds, and countries, and overall, get a thrill of the unknown when exploring new places.

View from my homestay in Barcelona

Heading Back to the US: Barcelona, Goodbye

Jazmin Lopez is a student at Arizona State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Jazmin is currently studying abroad in Barcelona on a Fall 2 program.

And so this truly AMAZING semester abroad has wound down to its last week – cramming for finals, trying not to think about saying goodbye to the friends you’ve made, stressing about what will and won’t fit in your luggage, and trying to make the most of your final days.  It sucks, but c’est la vie!  I have diminished my savings account by traveling throughout Europe – Paris, Rome & Dublin – and also by shopping and dining during excursions through ISA including Valencia, Sitges and Girona and ‘barrio walks’ through Barcelona‘s neighborhoods such as Gracia, Horta, Montjuic, El Born and El Raval.  Getting to know the ISA family, my host-family and creating a family of my very own with my classmates are memories I will never let go and will continue to re-visit for as long as I can remember!

Tapas Review: A Lackluster Bravo for Patatas Bravas

Tegan Hanlon is a student at the University of Pittsburgh and an ISA Featured Blogger. Tegan is currently studying abroad in Barcelona on a Fall 1 program.

There are a lot of bonuses that come with being adopted by a host mom and host dad when studying abroad. For me, these include Fina’s Spanish tortilla [which has appeared on the table more since host mom witnessed my roommate and I hallway celebrating after its scent hit our nose one night] and Juan’s by-heart knowledge of all things Barça.

Guest Blog: Goodbye USA, Hola España!

Shaheena Ramzan is a student at University of Texas – Dallas and an ISA Guest Blogger. Shaheena is currently studying abroad in Barcelona on a Fall 2 program.

Mount Tibidabo – Barcelona view from atop

I can’t believe it has already been a month in Spain! Time flies when you’re having the time of your life! It feels like it was just yesterday when I got my acceptance email and couldn’t believe my eyes. The next thing I knew, I was busy packing while finishing up summer classes and working. Before I knew it, it was time to say “Goodbye Dallas, Hola España!” – a phrase I had only dreamed of saying. I tried to imagine what life would be like when I arrived in Spain. I read almost every article I could about it, but it felt like I might not be prepared.

Cataluña: On Spanish Time

Beth Johnson is a student at Iowa State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Beth is currently studying abroad in Barcelona on an ISA Fall 3 program.

Hello all you beautiful people! I am so pleased to tell you that I am having an amazing time here in the land of Cataluña – the Spanish state where Barcelona is located. I have seen and done things here that I could never even imagine!

First off, I want to talk about the fact that school is so much more strict for us folk in the USA. Back home, if I show up to class late twice, I get my grade dropped a whole letter! Here at the University of Barcelona, however, being about 15 minutes late is not a problem.

Exploring Spain the Excursions Way

Jazmin Lopez is a student at Arizona State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Jazmin is currently studying abroad in Barcelona on a Fall 2 program.

So it has been a while since I’ve posted anything, so I suggest you have a bowl of popcorn and a coke near by because this will be both long and entertaining! (I hope it is, at least!)

Last time I posted anything was shortly after September 11, 2012 a day on which Catalunya decided to protest for their independence from Spain.  I also talked about my experiences at the beach on the Barceloneta metro stop, and gave my views on Spain!  Well, A LOT has happened since we last read each other!  I have gone on 2 ISA excursions, witnessed a week’s worth of Barcelona partying, played in the rain, taken pictures of weird paintings that strike at my inner artist, and keep getting closer and closer to that group project I have not yet started!!  First off, let’s talk about Sitges, Girona and the Dali museum!

Barcelona: Celebrating La Merçe in the City

Beth Johnson is a student at Iowa State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Beth is currently studying abroad in Barcelona on an ISA Fall 3 program.

So, Where to start? I have been in Spain for about three weeks now. It has been a very busy few weeks for me. In comparison to the United States, there really is no comparison. How can you compare an apple to an orange, right? When I got into the country I was first in Madrid and next in Toledo. Oh, by the way, they were not lying when they said IT IS DRY THERE! That is not the case whatsoever in Barcelona. I first stepped foot on land at the University of Barcelona across Gran Via de los Cortes Catalanes. I felt like I had stepped into a cloud! No joke, in comparison to the lack of any moisture at all in the middle of the country, I like it a lot more.