Studying Abroad in Barcelona as a First-Generation College Student

Why I Went

From the moment I learned that studying abroad was even a possibility, I knew I wanted to do it. The idea of being dropped into a completely new environment, learning, exploring the unknown, and building a life somewhere unfamiliar excited me. I was still nervous but ready to take on a new challenge.

As a first-generation college student, I had questions about cost, safety, and whether I was even ready to take on something so unfamiliar. But I learned that there are resources, scholarships, and people who genuinely want to help you make it happen.

My mom was one of my biggest advocates. She wanted me to gain that experience, and I genuinely cherish her for her encouragement. As someone who has always loved Spanish, I knew I wanted to spend time in a Spanish-speaking country to have real conversations outside the classroom.

I took the initiative to attend study abroad information sessions, meet with my school’s study abroad advisor, and review my degree progress early. If you’re considering studying abroad, start there. Those three steps alone can turn something that feels overwhelming into something very possible. And I could not be happier that I took that leap.

Life with My Homestay Family

My homestay family in Barcelona was precious to me in ways I still find hard to fully describe. They made me feel like I was part of the family almost immediately. We shared family dinners, visits from extended relatives, and favorite movies. They showed me wedding photos, shared their favorite treats, and invited me into the most ordinary and meaningful parts of their daily life.

They taught me how to make paella. They gave me travel recommendations, like visiting Tibidabo during the holiday season. They offered up Spanish one-liners and celebrated my 21st birthday with me.

My homestay family surprised me for my 21st birthday

Spending every day speaking Spanish with them did something for my confidence that no classroom ever quite could. I became more fluent, more natural, and I slowly started to recognize the differences between the Spanish spoken by people from different regions.

They were also genuinely curious about my life, about my campus, my family, and my Jamaican culture. I shared little things with them about where I come from, and they shared with me the relaxed, welcoming spirit of Catalan life. They were people who knew how to be present. They were truly living in the moment.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and Say Yes to Travel

Study abroad is one of those rare windows in life when you have more time and freedom than you might ever have again. I learned quickly that saying yes, even to things that felt unfamiliar or intimidating, almost always led somewhere good.

Through the people I met, I ended up traveling to places I hadn't even heard of before boarding my first flight: Nice, Monaco, and Marseille. The memories from those trips are ones I'll carry for a long time.

Travel Tip: Before you travel, plan a rough schedule of destinations and dates first, then book your flights. Buying tickets in advance with a clear itinerary in mind is how you travel more for less. I used Vueling and Ryanair to find affordable flights across Europe. A little planning goes a long way.

Food

If you asked me to name my favorite part of Barcelona's food scene, paella would win every time, no contest. But honestly, I'll miss all of it: crispy patatas bravas, pan con tomate shared over a long table with friends, and tapas after a walk through the city. Food in Barcelona felt like a whole event, something slow, social, and worth savoring. One thing worth knowing is that prices can vary quite a bit depending on where you eat; neighborhoods above the Diagonal tend to be more affordable than those below. Beyond the budget side of things, every restaurant I stepped into was incredibly kind and patient as I practiced ordering in Spanish, and in Catalan-speaking spots, I did my best to use the small amount of Catalan vocabulary I had picked up.

Delicious patatas bravas

Homesickness

Almost everyone becomes homesick throughout their study abroad experience. It is inevitable. While I loved exploring and soaking in every moment I could, there were still times when I missed home.

What helped me most was staying connected with my family, creating small routines abroad, and reminding myself why I chose to be there in the first place. I also took lots of pictures so I could share my experiences with my loved ones when I returned home.

Finances

One of the biggest concerns going into this experience was cost. What I learned is that studying abroad can be more affordable than you might think. Many programs allow you to use financial aid, and there are scholarships specifically for first-generation college students.

Planning early, asking questions, and applying to multiple opportunities made a huge difference for me. Don’t let finances discourage you before you’ve explored your options.

First day of class

As a first-generation college student, I've always carried a strong sense of curiosity and purpose. Studying abroad has given back to me in more ways than I could have imagined. I've become more engaged with the world around me, more confident in who I am, and more grateful for the people who believed I could do it. The memories I've made are ones I've already started sharing and ones I can't wait to share for years to come.

If you’re a first-generation college student considering studying abroad, know that it is possible for you too. You don’t need to have everything figured out, you just need to take the first step.

Quick Tips for First-Gen College Students:

• Start planning early
• Meet with a study abroad advisor
• Apply to scholarships
• Talk to students who have already gone abroad
• Say yes to new experiences

This post was written by Jadia Johnson, a student at the University of Miami who studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain.