Samir I: World cup, Montjuic and more, my experience in Barcelona
Aktualisiert: 8. Aug.
After settling into life in Barcelona, every day quickly found its own rhythm. Most mornings started with photography assignments or editing pictures, but once the work was done, the city became our playground. Since exploring Barcelona was also part of my job as a photographer, I always had my camera with me, ready to capture both famous landmarks and the small moments that made this experience so special.
One place we visited again and again was Barceloneta Beach. It quickly became our favourite spot to relax after work. We spent countless afternoons swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying the sunshine and, most importantly, playing volleyball. Looking back, those evenings were some of the highlights of the entire trip.
The best thing about playing volleyball was meeting new people. Every day we met someone different. We played with locals from Barcelona, travellers from France, England and Tunisia, as well as backpackers from the United States. Since everyone communicated in English, I spoke the language every single day. At first, I sometimes had to think about the right words, but after a short time it became completely natural. It was probably one of the biggest improvements I noticed during my stay.
Some conversations stayed with me for a long time. One evening we met two American backpackers who had already travelled through several European countries, including Austria. Hearing their stories made me realise how much I would love to travel like that one day. Spending almost a month abroad gave me a small glimpse of what a future world trip could look like. It also taught me that travelling isn't always perfect. There are stressful moments, unexpected situations and challenges, but that's exactly what makes those experiences so memorable.
Of course, we also explored Barcelona whenever we had the chance. We walked through the Barri Gòtic, visited La Rambla, admired Gaudí's famous buildings and finally saw the Sagrada Família in person. Even though we only looked at it from the outside because the entrance tickets were a little too expensive, it was still an impressive sight.
One of my personal highlights was our visit to Montjuïc. The view over the entire city and the port was absolutely breathtaking, and visiting the castle made the trip even more worthwhile.
Not every memorable moment was planned. One day we accidentally took the wrong bus and suddenly found ourselves at Camp Nou. Although we hadn't intended to go there, we took the opportunity to have a look. Sometimes the best experiences happen when things don't go according to plan.
Another unforgettable evening was seeing one of my favourite artists, Soolking, perform live in Barcelona. It was an amazing experience and definitely something I hadn't expected when I first signed up for Erasmus+.
Trainee Up also helped make our stay even more special. Besides organising the programme, they gave us great recommendations for places to visit. One day, Mireia from Trainee Up even invited us to her hometown. We spent the day at the beach before having dinner together in the evening. It was a great opportunity to experience a more local side of Catalonia instead of only visiting tourist attractions.
One evening, however, stood out more than any other. During our stay, Spain played against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final. Watching such an important match while actually being in Spain was an unforgettable experience. As soon as Spain won, the entire city erupted in celebration. Thousands of people filled the streets, waving flags, singing and celebrating together. We joined the celebrations for a while before realising that getting home would become a challenge. Since the metro had already stopped running for the night and the buses were completely overcrowded or simply didn't run, we had no other choice but to walk. What we thought would be a short walk turned into almost four hours on foot back to our apartment. It was exhausting, but today it's one of the funniest memories of the whole trip.
Looking back, the biggest lessons I learned weren't necessarily about photography. As a freelance photographer, I already had experience before arriving in Barcelona. Instead, this Erasmus+ experience helped me grow as a person. I became more confident, more independent and much more comfortable speaking English every day. I also learned how easy it can be to connect with people from completely different cultures if you're open to new experiences.
If someone asked me whether I would recommend Erasmus+, my answer would be simple: absolutely. It isn't just about gaining work experience abroad. It's about meeting people from all over the world, discovering new cultures, stepping outside your comfort zone and learning more about yourself.
Barcelona gave me incredible memories, new friendships and experiences that I will carry with me for a very long time. I'm grateful to HAK Salzburg, Trainee+Up and everyone who made this opportunity possible. It was an experience I will never forget.
