When I was 18, choosing to study Economics in my hometown, Barcelona, seemed to be the only choice. Universities abroad fell far from my conception of the world since I didn’t know how they worked, how much they cost, how to apply, how I would make friends, and most importantly, whether I could survive a whole degree in a foreign language. I don’t regret the decision either. I love the life in Barcelona, its parties, its people. It also has great universities and reputable degrees in Economics.
CAMPUS & NEIGHBOURHOOD
While studying economics had been a long-standing decision, I chose Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) for its reputation in several international rankings. The university is rather small, so you feel like you are in high school, but with the university environment.
The campus is between the biggest urban park of the city and the beach – perfect places to relax and socialize. The neighborhood has the amenities you need: gyms, bars, and restaurants. It is also near the vibrant old town and the underground clubbing area.
COURSES PER YEAR & TYPE OF CLASSES
UPF is a very demanding university. It doesn’t have semesters, but trimesters, each with four courses to attend and exams to take at the end of the period. The courses are split between masterclasses and seminars, the latter being mandatory. In the seminars, theory is put into practice through problem sets. There are also chances to present projects, discuss, and ask questions to the professor.
The degree takes at least four years to be completed. The first two can be quite shocking: Mathematics, Micro, Macro, Business Economics, Law, Economic History, Probability, Statistics, Econometrics… You feel your knowledge and horizons are widening – it is a very satisfying feeling.
The third year has what every economist would enjoy: international, public, labor, and industrial economics, econometrics at all its best, etc. And please, do not lose the opportunity: Advanced Macro 2 and Development Economics, taught by eminent economists. (It is another excuse to learn Catalan). In the fourth year, you’re free to go for an exchange.
A TECHNICAL DEGREE – COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES
I can say that UPF prepares you and asks you to give your best. The degree is more technical than you would expect. There’s a lot of algebra throughout the years, but it never neglects the rationale and theory behind it. This experience is quite different compared to the one I had in Rome, for my Erasmus, or Rotterdam, for my master’s degree. In Italy, courses relied more on masterclasses and books. The Netherlands was just another thing, yet important. The master’s degree in urban economics taught me how to read academic papers, be critical of them, and undertake research in economics.
Leaving home when you are just coming out of high school is not easy; you’ll need courage. I admire people who did it, but I wasn’t prepared to do so. But I joined the club some years later, and yes, it is worth it. You’ll learn, laugh, cry, feel joyful and alone, But having these contradictory feelings makes you grow and feel confident – and yeah, it’s also addictive.