Amelie E.: My first days in Barcelona

After months of planning and dreaming, I finally arrived in Barcelona. I was both excited and a little nervous. My new adventure was about to begin!

When I first arrived at my accommodation, I was happy to finally put down my bags. But I quickly noticed that the kitchen was a bit dirty, which was a little disappointing. Luckily, the problem got solved not long after, and things started to feel more comfortable.

On my first day, I decided to explore the city by walking around. I didn’t plan much — I just started walking and followed the streets wherever they took me. I ended up at the sea, then walked along the harbour and through Las Ramblas. It’s a really lively street full of shops, street performers, and tourists. I also stopped by a few stores and just enjoyed the energy of the city. Later, I found a quiet spot at the beach and lay in the sun for a while, which felt amazing after all the travelling.

The second day was also full of walking. I followed the coastline again and walked past the harbour toward the Kiss of Freedom, the Catedral de Barcelona, and Plaza de Catalunya. It was a long walk, but I enjoyed every moment of it — there’s always something interesting to see. In the evening, I went back to the beach and relaxed again by the water.

Monday was the beginning of my internship at a dance school called Slam Dancing. The first day was a bit chaotic — nobody seemed to know exactly what was going on. But everyone was friendly and welcoming, which made things easier. So far, there isn’t much work to do, but I enjoy being there. Most of the time, we speak English, not Spanish, which is a bit of a shame since I wanted to practice more. But maybe that will change over time.

After work, I usually go straight to the beach. It doesn’t really make sense to go home in between — the beach is the perfect place to relax after a day at work. One of the nicest surprises has been meeting a group of Spanish people who set up a volleyball net on the beach. They invited us to join, and now we play with them regularly. It’s a great way to meet locals, stay active, and have fun.

So far, my time in Barcelona has been amazing. The weather is beautiful, the city is full of life, and every day brings something new. I’m really glad to be here. It’s a great chance to grow, learn, and collect unforgettable experiences.