ESADE Business School

wished it had lasted a little longer as classes only took place from April to June. Would have prefered to start in January

ESADE is considered as one of the best Management schools. Classes tought mix theory and real case exercises which was different from my university. Languages classes provided are of good quality. Access to library, computers etc is available and of good quality

Not to live in the Residence Hall. I lived there for about a month and it was a waste of money. It was also very isolating socially, as most students lived downtown and cab rides to the Res Hall were quite expensive. Also, get a mobile phone as soon as you can. It improves your social life immensely and is very cheap and easy to use. The mobile phone system is far better than the system in the United States.

The university is small, but they do plan a lot of diverse and fun activities for exchange students. Through the university alone, I went on a ski trip to Andorra, trips to Girona and Figueres. ESADE sponsored a "sports competition weekend" at a resort in the country that was really fun. There was an end-of-semester ball and a Christmas party, in addition to the weekly parties planned in conjunction with local clubs. Academically, ESADE has a good reputation. If you're looking for a challenge, this may not be the place, but you can learn a lot if you choose to. I was able to take my classes pass/fail, so it wasn't a huge priority for me.

I wish I had better known the importance and the symbolic meaning of the Catalan identity. To be honest, before going I thought that Catalan was just a second language but it actually means more than that to Catalan people, it represents the identity in which their roots are embodied.

Choose Esade if you're looking for a concrete but 'entertaining' learning experience. The learning-by-doing teaching method will force you to surpass yourself so that in the end you'll realize that you learnt much more than you expected. In addition, the Esade Career Service is an indisputable plus.

Looking back, there's so much I wish I would have known. But if I would have known it, I don't think it would have been the same experience that it was. I think everyone wants to know a lot before they go to a different place, but it's almost good to go there without knowing everything, because then you don't know what to expect. If there's anything I would suggest, make a list of things that you want to do, and make sure you do them. Plan them either before or after you get over there, but be open to change. For once, go with the flow and see where it takes you. Other people will know of great things to do as well, so don't be set on doing everything that you read in travel guides. You may find something even more amazing. And odds are that if you're doing something in a travel guide, everyone else who reads that travel guide is going to be doing it too.

I recommend studying there and living with native Spanish-speakers. Meet international students and try to interact with the local students as well.

For those coming in spring: in April and May it can still be very cold in bcn, so make sure you bring your scarf and jacket along;)! Most important: you'll have LITTLE time, so try to figure out what your personal priorities are for your exchange semester-then go for them!

To organize more events and activities to integrate exchange students; to raise awareness amongst locals how precious contacts to foreign students are; to reinforce mixed work groups

to beware of pickpockets!! (got my wallet stolen)

Barcelona is just a fantastic city, you can't be bored!! Althought if your level of Spanish is low and you really want to improve it, I would suggest going somewhere else in Spain, where they are less foreigners.(eg. San Sebastian, Madrid, etc.)