Meeting Locals
One of the most important (and most rewarding!) parts of studying or interning in another country is meeting locals. They can teach you so much about the local culture, and you may even make a life long friend that you'll be coming back to visit for years to come!
Below are some of our best tips for meeting locals in Barcelona.
ATTEND BARCELONA SAE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
The Barcelona SAE Activities Team has a Local Students program so that a few local college students attend each weekly activity with you! As these are Spanish college students, this is a great way to not only practice your Spanish/Catalan and learn more about local culture, but also to meet new friends!
Most of our local students come to many activities throughout the semester, so you'll be able to get to know these students well.
Ask them about their tips for meeting locals as well - they'll surely be able to give you some more recommendations.
ATTEND LANGUAGE INTERCAMBIOS (EXCHANGES)
Language exchanges are the perfect way to meet locals because they're events in which Spanish speakers literally go to meet English speakers in order to practice their language skills!
There are many language exchanges hosted weekly across the city (check out websites like MeetUp). Most of them take place in a public place and are free as long as you purchase a snack or refreshment at the venue (usually a café or bar).
Be sure to check your TeamUp calendar as well, as there is usually at least one Barcelona SAE organized language exchange with local college students each semester!
If you meet a new local friend that you'd like to continue chatting with, don't be afraid to ask them to be a language buddy. That way, you can continue to hangout so that you can practice your Spanish/Catalan and help them to practice their English! Read more about this here.
JOIN A CLUB OR INTEREST GROUP
One of the best ways to meet new local friends is by joining a group or club related to something you're interested in or something that you normally do back home. This will allow you to connect with people that have similar interests as you, and therefore, you're already somewhat compatible to be friends with!
Whether its weekly dance classes, yoga sessions, running clubs, book clubs, or hiking, when you get involved in these activities you'll be sure to meet many locals.
Tips to find clubs/interest groups:
Check out your host university's website to see if they have any clubs, sports, or other groups that you're interested in.
Look into all the different clubs on MeetUp and try one out! You can find everything from running clubs to vegetarian cooking classes.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteering is one of the best ways to give back to Barcelona, and of course, meet locals in the community! It's also a great way to contribute to a cause that you care about.
There are tons of organizations that you can give your time volunteering at - read more on this here.
WHAT TO TALK ABOUT
Nervous about not knowing what to talk about when you meet locals? Here are some conversation topics that will not only help you improve your Spanish but will also help you to learn about cultural perspectives and local viewpoints.
Talk about where each of you is from and what your city/town is like. Show them where you live on a map.
Family differences, holidays and traditions, and the importance (or lack there of) of religion where you're from.
Differences in the college/university experience (class size, majors, areas of study), professors, work load, student involvement, cheating and honor codes, costs of education, campus life, etc.)
Dating/marriage norms in each country. What is the average age to get married and have kids?
Gender differences in each country (ie. at work, dating, general behavior).
Work norms in each country (ie. average work day, work culture, hierarchy, tasks, vacation time, getting hired, networking, etc).
Social life - what is done during free time in each country? What did you both do after school in high school?
Food - your favorites, typical dishes from each country, and why they are traditional.
Favorite movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts.
Cultural differences - think about routine acts, habits, or thought patterns in the U.S. How are they different here, and why?
Talk about your future, your hopes and dreams, and even what you hope to do before leaving Barcelona.
Ask them for recommendations on where to go, where to eat, and what to see in Barcelona/Spain.