Meike BarkemaA study abroad is an amazing experience. It offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, expand their academic perspectives and work on their personal growth. With its rich history, Catalan culture, beautiful streets and high-quality educational institutions, Barcelona becomes one of the main choice for many students when selecting a location to go abroad. Nevertheless, Barcelona faces a pressing housing problem.
Rental prices are on the rise and tourism is contributing to the displacement of locals from their homes. Imagine future students eagerly scrolling on the internet, dreaming of their semester abroad. Will they be able to choose Barcelona as their destination, fearing that limited space and high prices might dash their dreams?
Consequences of the housing problem in Barcelona
Globalization has profoundly influenced the landscape of studying abroad in various ways. The connections to economies, cultures and societies has created greater mobility and accessibility for students seeking international education.
Next to this, globalization is also a big factor in the tourism that is brought to city’s like Barcelona. Locals are not happy and as a tourist you see stickers everywhere with the text “tourists go home.”
According to CityChangers, property owners are 2 to 4 times more likely to rent their accommodations to tourist than to choose for regular apartments for the locals. The city is witnessing a growth in residents, leading to many issues including:
- homelessness
- overcrowding
- unlawful habitation
- lack of energy accessibility
- and water shortens
This process not only displaces local inhabitants but also destroys the authentic character that has defined Barcelona for centuries. “That’s terrible!” you may think, but the chances of you still going to Barcelona are very high. The dream you had of living in such a vibrant Spanish city hasn’t faded yet. Before you decide to have your study abroad experience here, let’s explore the experiences that students and professionals assisting these students have had on this topic.
What is it like for international students?
To really get the feeling of what students are going through, I asked around 30 of them to share their story on how they navigated their search for a home in their new cities. The journey for most students start around 4-2 months before they sat sail. Most of them experienced challenges and had to put in a lot of effort in finding suitable housing.
They feared they were getting scammed, faced problems with money or grappled with the fact that you can’t see the property in real life and just have to trust that they don’t get catfished.
Moment of truth
When the moment of arrival takes place, most of the students are satisfied with their accommodation: “but considering the price I pay for this, it has to be good.” However, some renters, including myself, still face challenges with their agencies, encountering communication issues and broken promises. This is sadly the truth in the world of renting a home in a touristic citys. But, despite these challenges, many students maintain a positive view, appreciating the unique experience of living in vibrant city like Barcelona.
Housing problem Barcelona: insights from a Coordinator
In the midst of the challenges students face when wanting to go abroad, the schools of these students appear to provide minimal assistance in the search for accommodations. I sat down with an international coordinator to discuss the problem many students face regarding housing problems and the part they are taking in this. Why does the school value international students and what can we expect in the future?
Malgorzata Śmigiel, with over five years of experience, addresses the recurring challenges in student accommodation. From pre-arrival struggles to last-minute crises upon reaching a new city, issues include difficulty finding housing and the unfortunate occurrence of falling victim to scams. Many European schools lack on-campus student residences, leaving students to navigate the housing market independently.
Śmigiel emphasizes that the school is not accountable for accommodation: “this is an impossible task for us to handle, we simply don’t have the capacity.” However, the institution maintains connections with reputable agencies for safe and reasonably priced housing options. Despite limited local accommodations, the question arises: why prioritize international students?
According to Śmigiel there are a lot of benefits for the national and international students of a school. “Regarding globalization the world gets more and more international and students from different cultures should linger, share their experiences and stories.” The most important thing to remember is that you, as an international, bring value to other students with different insights. In this way students can grow together.
What does the future hold?
We will have to live with the consequences of rising prices and limited options. Perhaps, in the future, students who want to go to Barcelona may have to live in the surrounding areas, making their commute to school a bit longer. Barcelona cannot grow in size due to being constrained between the sea and the mountains. “We have to adapt to the new reality, and students should be prepared to pay more and be more careful.”
Since 2023, the government of Spain made the housing crisis one of its top priorities, reflecting on the housing problem, the possibility is there that the gates of Barcelona may not be wide open for study adventurers in the future. We must not forget that the world is scattered with other beautiful places. Each with it’s own culture, style and education benefits, waiting to be discovered. Perhaps it’s also time to pause and listen to the local voices. Keeping the culture alive that so harmoniously blends with the streets and squares of Barcelona.
Why should I still go?
As the dust settles from the initial discouragements and the exhausting process, the ultimate experience of study abroad students in Barcelona often proves to be worth it. Yes, it can be daunting, and yes, it is a challenging process to endure, but those who overcome these obstacles are rewarded with an unforgettable journey. I believe that in the long run, you won’t be thinking about the money you spent but the memories you create. After all, money comes back, but experiences don’t.
Curious what students that went abroad have to say? Read their advice from them to you!
