You’re going to love studying in Barcelona. A vibrant hub of style, sport, culture, history and fun.
A vibrant oasis in a busy city. Whether you’re interested in doing your Undergraduate Degree in Design in Barcelona or want to spend a short period of time with us, we have a lot to offer to a
curious student traveller. Choosing to study abroad can be one of the most enriching, interesting,
fulfilling and educationally stimulating experiences of your entire life. What’s more, the International
Relations Unit provides ongoing guidance and support to all international students during their stay
with us. As a foreign student at ESDi, you will study in an environment renowned for the
quality of its teaching and research. To make you feel right at home, we arrange a series of activities
and events to make you have the time of your life! The International Relations Unit will assist you with
visa issues, support services, enrolment and timetables. Spanish and Catalan courses are offered to
help you to acquire language skills and survival tips to make the most of your time here. There is always
something happening at ESDi. Join our collaborative student community and combine your studies
with social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities.
Culture and Creativity
Barcelona’s cultural and creative offerings will amaze you; from theatre and opera to contemporary
dance and underground festivals. The art scene of the city includes constant exhibitions in museums,
art galleries, and music venues and festivals such as Sónar, Primavera Sound (Sónar and Primavera
Sound are popular music festivals, which are hold in June, July every year; the music festivals resonate
with all young people as a place to enjoy music, dance, drink with friends...), and International Jazz
Festivals. It also includes design festivals, such as Blanc Fest, OFFF Barcelona, Typo Berlin, The
Influencers, etc.
Get out and explore! Barcelona is located in the region of Catalonia, northeast of Spain. There are
plenty of unique attractions that are easily accessible on day trips, such as:
Cadaqués, where Dalí, Duchamp and Picasso spent long periods of their lifetime; Tarragona and its
Roman ruins; Figueres, where you will find the Dalí Museum; Aigüestortes National Park in Lleida;
Costa Brava, where you will enjoy the best turquoise beaches; Montserrat Mountain, perfect for
trekking and climbing; Ski Slopes during winter in the Pyrinees mountains and Andorra; Girona and its
ancient jew neighborhood.
Costumes
The people of Barcelona and Sabadell are very open-minded and very sociable people, so you will
have no problem making new friends. When you meet someone, we usually do two kisses on the
cheeks or a hand hitch. There are things you should know if you are a smoker, for a few years
smoking is prohibited in public areas, work, hospitals or schools, among other places.
Something you should keep in mind if you come from afar is the schedule used here, the GMT time
system is used but every two times there is a schedule adjustment where one hour is added in winter
or one is taken out in summer. A very typical custom is nap time, so the schedule is divided in the
morning (7:00-12:00 am), noon (12:01-3:59pm), afternoon (4:00-7:59pm), night (8:00-11:59pm) and midnight
(12:00-6:00am). The shops open at 10am. At dinner later, the nightlife starts at 12. But usually all the
restaurant adapts to tourist costumes. Not like America that is typical tipping, here in Spain it’s not
obligatory, but a tip of around 5% is usually left if the service was satisfactory.
Spanish and Catalan pocket
Basic Spanish
¡Hola! – Hello!
¡Buenos días! – Good morning!
¡Buenas tardes! – Good afternoon / good evening!
¡Buenas noches! – Good night!
¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
Bien, gracias – I’m fine, thank you.
¿Cómo te llamas? – What 's your name?
Me llamo… – My name is…
Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you
Basic Catalan
Hola! – Hello!
Bon dia! – Good morning!
Bona tarda! – Good afternoon / good evening!
Bona nit! – Good night!
Adéu! / A reveure! – Bye! / See you later!
Si us plau – Please
(Moltes) gràcies! / Mercès! – Thank you (so much)!
De res! – You're welcome!
Fins ara! / Fins aviat! – See you in a minute! / See you soon!
Ho sento (molt) / Em sap greu – I'm (very) sorry
Em dic ______. – My name is ______.
If you are interested in Catalan, you can attend in free Catalan class subsidised by government:
Online mode: Parla.cat
Onsite: Lingüistics
