To one of the best experiences of my life in Barcelona

My time in Barcelona was a journey of growth, challenge, and discovery. I went with a few goals in mind—building independence, understanding a new culture, and learning about local innovation—but the experience turned out to be more complex and rewarding than I expected.

One of the biggest challenges was learning to live on my own. Back home in Australia, I’m used to a full house, so suddenly being by myself in Barcelona was a major adjustment.

Everyday tasks like cooking and navigating the city became lessons on independence. The first few days were tough, especially dealing with loneliness, but I quickly realised the importance of making new connections. I am definitely a people’s person, so when I realised that it’s literally just like talking to people back home. Once this realisation hit me, a very quickly was able to form friendships. My first friend I made was a bloke named Hishan, who was a German classmate, this helped me feel more settled.

Adapting to the local culture and language was another hurdle. With most people speaking Catalan and my Spanish being basic, communication was tricky at times. I learned enough Spanish to get by, though my Australian accent made things interesting—locals often had trouble understanding me. I had to adjust by slowing down my speech and toning down the accent, which made interactions smoother. Even dropping the Aussie slang that had been ingrained to me after living here all my life. It was funny but letting my friends try to guess what I was saying.

I found even that when people found out that I was Australian, they were very willing to assist me and ask plenty of questions. This helped with my interactions with locals, which I also had to adjust to the local way of communicating, which was often more indirect than what I was used to. Paying attention to non-verbal cues and listening more closely became essential skills.

A major goal for me was to learn about Barcelona’s approach to innovation, especially in areas like sustainability. Through conversations with my university lecturer and my own observations around the city, I gained a better understanding of how Barcelona is leading in these areas.

As the weeks went by, my goals evolved. My focus on independence shifted to include the importance of building a support network in a new environment. I also became more interested in broader cultural experiences, beyond just Catalonia, thanks to my interactions with people from across Europe.

Reflecting on my time in Barcelona, I can see how much I’ve grown. The experience also sparked new interests that I’ll continue to explore in the future, such as continuing the study of the Spanish language. I now have lifelong friends all around the world, which even sitting here writing that now is crazy! I am forever grateful for this opportunity, and I couldn’t thank UTS Global Short programs enough.

Angus Cunningham
Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Summer School
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship

For more information about the UTS Global Short Program visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal