Written by Emily Elletson, (University of Minnesota – Twin Cities), CET Barcelona, Spring 2026
I never expected that a normal weekday studying abroad could include a sunrise workout, studying on the beach, and ending the night learning flamenco. That is exactly what a typical day in Barcelona can look like.
Before coming here, I imagined studying abroad would be exciting, but I did not realize how special even the everyday routines would feel. Between classes, exploring the city with friends, and CET activities, every day feels full in the best way possible. Here is what a typical day looks like for me as a study abroad student in Barcelona.
Starting the Day with a Workout
My day usually starts early with an 8:00 a.m. workout class called Sculpt & Glow at Bodyworxhub. The studio is less than a ten minute walk from CET, which makes it the perfect way to start the day.
I love getting up and working out first thing in the morning. It helps me feel energized and productive before classes even begin. Walking through the quiet streets of Barcelona early in the morning has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the day.
Coffee Is a Must
After class, coffee is always the next stop. Luckily, Nude Project Coffee is right near the studio.
My favorite order is a honey vanilla iced oat milk latte, which has easily become my favorite drink here. I love grabbing my coffee and taking a few minutes to enjoy the morning before heading back to Beyoo.
Breakfast at Beyoo
Once I get back home, I make breakfast in the Beyoo kitchen. Lately my favorite breakfast has been avocado toast with croissants and yogurt. I usually buy everything from Aldi, which has become one of my favorite grocery stores here.
It is a simple breakfast, but it is one of those small routines that makes living abroad start to feel normal.
Walking to Class with Friends
After breakfast, I walk to class with two of my friends in the CET Barcelona program, Lexy and Maria. Our class is at CET, which is about a twenty minute walk from Beyoo.
Walking through the city together has become part of our routine. We usually talk about weekend travel plans, upcoming assignments, or what we are doing later that day. It is a small part of the day, but moments like this make studying abroad feel really special.
My Favorite Class at CET
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have my only class of the day, Social Media in Business, which runs from 10:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
This is my favorite class I am taking at CET because I am very passionate about social media. I also love my professor, Brigett, and how much energy and enthusiasm she brings to class.
One of the most interesting parts of the course is applying social media trends to real companies in Barcelona. We analyze marketing strategies and real case studies from local brands, which makes the class feel very practical and relevant.
Sushi and Studying at the Beach
After class, my friend Maria and I love walking about five minutes to Ametller Origen to grab fresh sushi.
Then we walk to Barceloneta Beach, which is only about a twenty minute walk from CET. On nice days we sit on the beach, eat lunch, catch some sun, and work on homework for a few hours.
Studying on the beach during the week is definitely something I never imagined doing before studying abroad.
Shopping Before Our Next Trip
Later in the afternoon, Maria and I decided to do some shopping because we had an upcoming trip to Morocco and needed a few things before leaving.
We stopped by Zara, which is one of our favorite places to shop here in Barcelona. Since the brand started in Spain, the stores here always have great selections.
After shopping, we headed back to Beyoo to relax before dinner.
Cooking Dinner Together
One thing I really enjoy about living at Beyoo is having access to a shared kitchen where we can cook meals together.
That night I made chicken tikka masala using ingredients from Aldi. It is one of my favorite meals to cook because it is simple and really good after a busy day.
Cooking dinner with friends is always a nice way to slow down before evening activities.
Ending the Night with Flamenco
CET hosts weekly events for students, and this week we had the chance to attend a flamenco workshop and show at Los Tarantos.
A group of us took the metro there and started the evening with a flamenco workshop where we learned some of the basics of the dance. It was really fun to try something so connected to Spanish culture.
After the workshop, we watched a live flamenco show with professional singers and dancers. The music and energy of the performance made it an amazing way to end the day.
Appreciating the Everyday Moments
What I have realized about studying abroad is that the most memorable parts are not always the big trips. Often they are the everyday routines and small moments that slowly become part of your life.
From early morning workouts and coffee runs to studying on the beach and experiencing local culture through events like flamenco, even a typical day in Barcelona feels pretty incredible.