“Safety does not come with lucky. It has to be prepared”
As I progress in my semester abroad I have learned some very valuables lessons that I think is extremely vital for other potential study abroad students to know. As a first generation student, to be going abroad to such a far country, many things may not come as first nature to us. I have had to gradually learn a lot about the city and the people to really be able to be aware of my surroundings and how to navigate in such a lively city.
Some of the advice I will say may be pretty obvious but you will be surprised how actually important these small customs are when you arrive in another country. We all know that everything is easier said than done, which is why it is crucial that one is aware that not all people are good people. Of course not all people are bad as well, but it is definitely better to be safe than sorry. Here is some of the advice I have for potential first generation students who are looking forward to studying abroad. These are just Some do’s and don’ts.
Be aware of your surroundings. Especially at night.
Barcelona is such a lively city and especially at night time. That is the time when everyone goes out to the bars and clubs and have a great time. But being from the United States, the locals will for sure be able to tell that you are not from here. Even if you speak Spanish, just by the way you speak and dress they will know that you are not from Spain. This being said, Americans are an easy target for a lot things such as theft or even being ripped off because they know that you will not know the difference. So with this information it is always good to do your research and ask around, maybe your host family of what parts of your area should you not go at night or clubs where many Americans go so that you can stay away from those. Being in a big places where all the Americans go is probably not the best idea just because pick pocketers target those types of places. This is not to say you can’t go and have a good time, you surely can but just be aware and vigilant of the world around you. Researching and gathering information from locals is always a good idea because they have the best knowledge about the area.
Beware of pick pocketers
A lot of the time students hear about these infamous pick pocketers and think “that can’t happen to me I will feel when something is being taken out of my back pocket, purse, backpack, etc”. Truth is these people are professionals and you will most of the time NOT notice when something is being taken from you. I have already heard so many stories from my fellow classmates of their wallets and even their phones being stolen. It CAN happen. So if you have a backpack make sure you purchase a small lock to lock where your laptop is stored. For a purse just make sure it cannot open that easily. I would suggest a fanny pack or a cross body bag that will stay close to your body. Also Pick pocketers come in all forms. They do not have just one specific look! They may be a couple just “asking for direction” and while you are helping one person the other is stealing from you. Or sometimes they will bump into you in hopes of being able to slip into you pocket and grab something as well. Never put your phone in your back pocket. Always be checking up on you pockets to make sure everything is there.
Research local restaurants
Very often if you don’t go to local places to eat, you will end up spending a lot of money because of how much they charge “tourists”. Even restaurants (not all) can rip you off in this area because they know that you know nothing about pricing. A euro is worth more than a US dollar so things can add up very quickly without you even realizing it. My recommendation if you are going to Spain is to go during 2-4 which is practically when everyone goes out for lunch. Many places will have a “menu del dia” which is just the menu of the day that usually is very cheap for way more food. You are given a full 3 course meal for a very affordable price.
Have Google Maps open when you’re in a cab
Lastly, when going out to clubs and bars one should be conscious of their surroundings all the way home. First, try your hardest to not go in a cab alone especially after a night of drinking because you don’t want to fall asleep or travel alone. Not saying that cabs aren’t safe, they are, but these are just extra precautions to take into account. Once you are inside and tell the driver where you want to go make sure you pull up google maps because often times the cab driver will take you into different streets just to add more money to your ride. They know you are not very familiar with the streets and let alone the actual routes so they may take a little detour just to make some extra money from you. This is just a little trick to make sure that the driver is not taking advantage of you.
These are just some of my tips and ticks that I have been learning through my stay here. This doe snot make my stay any less than wonderful but it is just different having to adapt to another culture where you should be extra careful. Especially being a foreigner, people will take advantage of the lack of knowledge one holds. So in order to be better prepared I hope you take these tips and implement them into you routine when you study abroad. I hope I helped a little and gave you a small glimpse on what you can expect from studying abroad. I am wishing you a safe and fun trip!
Thalia's Blog in Barcelona, Spain 