1. My number 1 tip is to pack light. For Barcelona specifically, the weather doesn’t change much all semester; jeans and a shirt with a jacket will last you all semester! You don’t need to bring a million sweaters for every day of the week. Leave extra room in your suitcase for things/souvenirs you’re going to take home. If you don’t have room, bring another duffle.
2. Get your sim card when you arrive. Go to a random electronic store instead of big stores like Vodafone or Orange. I got my sim card at DIGIMobil and had service all over Spain. You just have to remember to go in person and pay to top off the sim every month. (My sim was €10 + €20 a month for 40GB). You can pay whatever amount you want for less GB, though. For the cheapest deal, get the sim stright from an electronic store.
3. Get the unlimited MetroCard! In Barcelona, it’s called the T-usual. A student card gets you three months unlimited use for 80 euros, saving you 40 euros if you do that instead of getting the monthly one for 40 euros a month! Just make sure not to lose the card!
4. Get a notebook! My classes didn’t require one, but it was nice having one. It’s also excellent if you want to journal! I didn’t journal but wish I did. So many things happen every day, and you should try to have some way to keep track of all of it. A line a day journal is also a great idea, imagine 3-4 years into the future looking back at all the wild stuff you did while abroad!
5. Bring a carry on or backpack for weekend trips! This is a must. The osprey backpack is what I use and what most travellers recommend. Any wheeled carry on within airline dimensions also works (I use both for backpacking for three months). Just make sure it’s within the airline dimensions of the smaller lines (Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia, etc.).
6. Bring medicine!! Spanish pharmacies have US medicine alternatives, but for ease, just bring Advil, dayquil, Nyquil, Mucinex, and anything else you may need! You don’t get much sleep when studying abroad, so these will come in handy. If you run out, all pharmacies sell Ibuprofen & Paracetamol (Tylenol).
7. Leave a lot of space in your suitcase. International shipping costs almost $200 for 30kg, so you want to bring stuff home instead of shipping it.
8. Come with euros! Of course, you can always go to an atm, but I found it’s easier to come with euros already exchanged. The majority of places in Barcelona take cards, but once you’re outside of the city and all over Europe, you’ll need the cash!
9. Try to get a credit card with little to no international fees. For example, I use Chase Sapphire Preferred, there are no foreign transaction fees, and you get major travelling points!
10. Use Skyscanner for flights and Pinterest for things to do!! Pinterest has a bunch of secret/local tips that have helped. Also, apple map works better than google maps, and when using it, don’t press “go” to save battery; instead, just follow the blue line!
11. Say yes to everything!!! The semester goes by faster than you can imagine, so try to do as much as possible (and understand that you won’t get as much sleep as you do at home). It truly is the best semester.
