My name is Duru and I'm 22 years old. I'm a student of Nutrition and Dietetics at Ankara University. I did my Erasmus at the University of Barcelona in the 2023-2024 fall semester.
The month before going to Barcelona was quite stressful for me. While trying to improve my Spanish, I was also trying to complete all the necessary documents. It was a challenging process to convince myself that I had to do everything on my own for the first time in another country.
After this process, I found myself thinking that everything I did was worth it as I made my way to my apartment in a historic neighborhood of Barcelona. Even when I went to the nearby market, I could see the Sagrada Familia; I could go for a swim at Barceloneta, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, or get lost for hours walking around the Gothic Quarter. I was absolutely in love with architecture. Also the food was incredible. Nothing could replace the joy of having a huge paella with friends or enjoying some patatas bravas, chipirones, or padron as tapas while chatting.
Getting used to my new life in a new country wasn't easy at first. Despite having English and a bit of Spanish, I struggled a bit because the official language is Catalan. However, both local and international friends were always there for me during this process. I found my second family here. Thanks to them, I greatly improved my Spanish.
Although my campus was a bit far from the center of Barcelona, studying nutrition and dietetics in a campus focused solely on food, in a different country, and in a different language was a very different and beautiful experience. It gave me a lot of knowledge and experience that will definitely help me in my future career.
During this time, I joined ESN at the University of Barcelona. Thanks to the events they organized, I was able to better adapt to the city and meet other Erasmus students.
Throughout my Erasmus journey, I also had the opportunity to visit other cities and countries. During these trips, I encountered many cultures, tried new foods and made friends from different nationalities, races, and languages. These trips definitely expanded my vision and perspective.
The greatest thing Erasmus has given me is the realization that I can overcome anything on my own, even though stepping out of my comfort zone was scary, it could add a lot to me. I have definitely become a more confident and self-assured person. I will always remember my Erasmus with longing.
Written by Duru Koçtürk
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