Nico: First week in Barcelona

Hello, my name is Nico, and I’ll be taking you along with me on my four-week HAK1 Works Abroad journey here in Barcelona.

Together with my classmates Kerem and Moritz, we arrived early in the morning at our cozy apartment near Sant Pau. Our first weekend was all about settling in. Exploring the city and relaxing at the beach helped us ease into the vibrant Barcelona atmosphere.

Then came Monday, our first day at work. I’m currently interning at Crossover Conferences & Events, an international event management company. My main tasks involve basic business administration, such as data extraction and database maintenance. However, I also got the chance to contribute creatively by brainstorming ideas for team-building activities and corporate events. The working language in the office is English, which I really appreciate and feel comfortable with.

After work, we usually unwind by heading to the beach and playing volleyball as the sun sets, a definite highlight of the experience. That said, Barcelona’s intense sun is no joke; staying hydrated and seeking shade is a must if you don’t want to overheat after just 10 minutes.

To wrap up the week, we took the metro on Friday after work and headed to Montjuïc. The famous hill in the heart of Barcelona offers incredible views over the city. While there’s a cable car available to take you up to the castle, we opted for the healthier and more budget-friendly way: hiking. It was definitely worth the effort.

All in all, the first week has been nearly perfect. The only minor downsides? Mosquitoes and the lack of sleep, but nothing we can’t handle.