Sasha’s Study Abroad Experience in Spain
Marketing and Management BSc student Sasha reflects on her study abroad experience in Spain, sharing how studying in Barcelona allowed her to explore new subjects, adapt to a different education system and experience a new academic culture.
Q&A
Tell us about your study abroad experience – where was it and what did you study?
I was fortunate to have my study abroad experience in Barcelona, Spain. It's a bright and colourful city, full of Catalan culture, stunning architecture, lively streets, and delicious cuisine.
I joined Universitat de Barcelona (UB) and studied a range of modules from the economics faculty. They included:
- European Integration
- Business Italian
- Game Theory
- Strategic Marketing
- South American and Caribbean Culture and Business
- Price Strategy
- Macroeconomics
- Fundamentals of Taxation
How did you engage with student life at Universitat de Barcelona?
Student life at my university was quite different from what I was used to in the UK, with fewer societies and clubs. I focused on building personal connections through class participation, lunch breaks, and spending time with the friends I made. I also attended lectures, TED talk-style events, and the careers fair, which gave me insight into the local academic and professional environment. I also connected with the student union president through one of my classes, which helped me meet more students and expand my network.
What was the approach to education like – was it different to Newcastle? What did you learn from this?
The educational system at UB was quite different to what I was used to. Most of my classes were smaller, and I got to know the professors personally. As a visiting student I could choose any module from the economics faculty, as long as the time slots didn’t overlap. This was great because it allowed me to experiment with completely different directions of study. I could even try learning a new foreign language unrelated to the host country. The assessment system was also different. Instead of relying solely on essays or exams, the Spanish system had continuous assessments – smaller tasks throughout the term. These were combined with a final exam worth around 50% of the grade. There was also the option to do just one final test for 100%. This flexibility was particularly helpful for students balancing work or other commitments. It encouraged steady engagement with the material throughout the semester.
What was your favourite thing about studying abroad?
One of the things that that I enjoyed on a daily basis was Barcelona’s architecture. It was very different from anywhere I’d lived before. I lived in the centre of the city, where there were loads of historical buildings, including those designed by Gaudí. I would see them every day on my way to uni, which added a very unique aesthetic and mood to my routine.
Another highlight was the variety of modules available. Unlike my usual marketing-focused courses, my year abroad allowed me to experiment with different subjects, including some taught in Spanish.