Written by Emily Elletson, (University of Minnesota – Twin Cities), CET Barcelona, Spring 2026
One of the main reasons I chose to study abroad in Barcelona was because Spain is known as a Spanish-speaking country, or at least that is what I thought. I knew that Catalan was spoken here, but I did not fully understand what that meant or how present it would be in daily life. I arrived confident in my Spanish background, only to quickly realize how much I had underestimated the challenge ahead.
Why I Thought I Was Ready
Before coming to Barcelona, I had taken Spanish for four years, although I had not studied it since my junior year of high school. In the weeks leading up to my departure, I used Duolingo to refresh my memory and felt fairly confident in my previous abilities. I assumed that once I was surrounded by Spanish every day, everything would come back naturally. Choosing Barcelona felt like the perfect opportunity to reconnect with a language I already thought I knew.
Losing Spanish Faster Than I Expected
When I arrived, that confidence quickly faded. I realized how much Spanish I had forgotten, especially verb tenses and everyday vocabulary. Simple conversations felt overwhelming. I found myself standing in coffee shops, wanting to order in Spanish but hesitating because I did not want to embarrass myself. Even when I knew what I wanted to say, the words felt stuck.
Spanish vs. Catalan in Daily Life
On top of that, Catalan added an entirely new layer to my experience. As I walked around the city, I wanted to understand street signs, menus, and conversations, but I did not yet know how to tell Spanish and Catalan apart. There were moments in my Spanish courses where instruction or examples would shift into Catalan, leaving me completely lost. It was frustrating to be in Spain, eager to learn Spanish, but constantly surrounded by a language I did not understand.
My Most Frustrating First Day of Class
That frustration peaked on my first day of Spanish Intermediate II. I remember sitting in class, unable to remember basic verb tenses and feeling overwhelmed almost immediately. I had never felt so discouraged in a language class before. It made me question whether I was truly prepared to study abroad in a bilingual city like Barcelona.
How CET Helped Me Find My Footing
What made the biggest difference was the support from CET professors and staff. They quickly recognized that I needed a different level to feel confident and successful. They helped place me into a Spanish class that better matched where I actually was, rather than where I thought I should be. That adjustment changed everything. I now feel more comfortable participating, making mistakes, and learning without fear.
One of my favorite parts of my new class is the off-site trips, where we get to immerse ourselves in Spanish culture outside the classroom. Even though Catalan is still present, these experiences have helped me rebuild my Spanish in a meaningful and practical way.
Why I Am Glad I Chose Barcelona
Navigating Spanish and Catalan at the same time has been challenging, but it has also pushed me to grow in ways I did not expect. I have learned that language learning is not about being perfect. It is about trying, listening, and being patient with yourself. Studying abroad in Barcelona has taught me to embrace confusion as part of the learning process.
I came to Barcelona thinking I would simply pick Spanish back up. Instead, I am relearning how to learn a language altogether, and that has made this experience even more valuable.