Part of my joint honours degree in Law with Spanish involved a year studying Spanish Law at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. I spent ten months in the Catalonia where I was able to learn so much about the culture, the language, the food, and all of its topography.
Why Barcelona?
It might seem a strange option to study Spanish law in a region that predominantly speaks Catalan, as well it being an autonomous state who are very keen for independence, but I could not have chosen a more enriching place to have undertaken my study. I learnt so much Spanish, as well as Catalan, and got to learn all the history of Barcelona through its beautiful architecture, landscape and historical figures. A place with sun, sea, mountains, city, countryside, Barcelona is nothing short of extraordinary, and I found that there was always something new and exciting to do.
A Lifetime of Friendships
I met so many interesting people at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, from all over the world. I quickly formed friendships with people from Italy, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Poland and many, many more! We shared our cultural differences, predominantly through our love for food and showing off our cuisine from around the world. My fondest memories have involved the wonderful people I had the pleasure of meeting and hope to meet up with again very soon. I have so many countries to visit, with lots of free accommodation thanks to the friends I have made! Whilst I have loved every second in Barcelona, it is the people I met that I miss the most.
Sense of Personal Achievement
Taking a year out abroad can be very challenging and overwhelming. It requires a significant amount of independence and determination, but you must always remind yourself that you are not alone. To have obtained a visa is no mean feat, especially after Brexit, but the feeling of relief to have completed such an arduous task is truly rewarded by the year that follows it. I have learnt so much this past year, on both an academic and personal level. The difficulty with not only a Spanish language barrier, but a Catalan one too, has stretched my patience and my resilience but I am so proud of how far I have come and what I have achieved as a result of it. I decided to really challenge myself, and even completed the Barcelona Marathon!
Jess studied at Law with Spanish Law at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona for 2023/2024
uonstudyabroad.com 
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