Should I study abroad in Barcelona or Madrid? ?

Show all answers

Arii Sato

Go to Valencia! If that's an option. If not, Barcelona. :3

David B

I suppose it all depends on what you'll be studying?! If it's part of your course, then maybe Madrid would be better, only because they speak Castillian Spanish there - in Barcelona classes would more than likely be in Catalan.

However, Barcelona is a real hub at the moment, and is a great place to be able to visit other places around europe - there are 42 low cost flights leaving Barcelona each day (almost everywhere in Europe!), and you have the extra benefits of being close to skiing/snowboarding in the Pyrenees or Andorra, and also the countryside close by, plus Barcelona has a beach!

Either way, I'm sure you'll have a blast! Good luck!

maraudingcat

I studied abroad in Madrid--I did visit Barcelona. Both are very beautiful and interesting cities

Personally, I loved Madrid much more--Barcelona is very busy with tourists. There may also be a language issue--do you want to study catalan?

Sarah N

i studyed abroad in madrid. it was soo wonderful. the city was great and it is a great studying enviornment. plus there is so much to do there, and it is a lot less touristy then barcelona however barelona is also a great city.

dart

I studied in Sevilla. So, maybe I can be more unbiased.

I loved both cities. Well, I loved Sevilla best. That happens. Wherever you live, you develop an attachment to.

Barcelona is a more artistic city. And, true, they all speak CatalÃ¡n there, but they also ALL speak Castellano. I had not a whisper of a problem communicating...being teased by the cop for my Andaluz accent, notwithstanding. Turned out, his mom was from CÃ¡diz. Anyway, if you are more interested in the more modern aspects of the world, the more cosmopolitan community, and learning CatalÃ¡n, which you surely will, since everyone you meet will probably communicate amongst themselves in CatalÃ¡n, then BarÃ§a is your town.

If, however, you are more interested in a more traditional, "Spanish" cultural experience, and the bustle that is the center of the country and the capital, then Madrid is your town. Madrid is also more central for traveling, and there are a gazillion side trips close by both of them.

I believe that the AVE is open between those two cities, so travel is, like, two or three hours. You can check Renfe.es to find the actual schedules.

First thing I would look at, and you may have already done this, is if the schools involved offer what you want. In my case, I wanted to be immersed, and registered in the actual university. This was not available in the Madrid program offered to me. So, Sevilla, it was (Barcelona wasn't offered at all through my school, and Salamanca, with all its history, seemed a bit isolated to me...plus, there was the incredible romance, and how much my 11th grade seatmate had raved about Sevilla after returning from her trip...so it was pretty much a no-brainer for me).

Hey, let me know which you decide, and I can point you towards good eateries...just a couple. But some are places no one else is likely to mention.

GGB

I hate spain personally to each his own- Italy sounds more interesting ..

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: