Tell us about you!
Where did you study abroad?
Barcelona, Spain
How did you choose your study abroad location?
I chose Barcelona because I wanted to be somewhere with an amazing balance of academics, travel opportunities, and lifestyle. I loved that it has beaches, yummy food, and easy access to so many other countries in Europe. Since I enjoy health and wellness, trying new foods, and creating travel content, Barcelona felt like the perfect place to experience a new culture while still feeling like somewhere I could comfortably live for a semester.
Had you been out of the country before studying abroad? Do you speak the local language?
I have been out of the country before, but I do not speak Spanish.
Did you plan anything ahead of time?
Yes. Before my trip, I spent a lot of time researching gluten-free restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores in Barcelona and saved them on Google Maps so they were easy to find. I downloaded helpful apps and looked through celiac travel blogs and social media pages to see which places other people recommended. Since I lived in an apartment, I cooked many of my own meals, which gave me more control over avoiding cross-contamination.
Did you have any concerns about traveling with celiac disease?
Yes. I have celiac disease, so eating gluten can make me very sick, and that’s the last thing I wanted while being far from home. Traveling internationally definitely made me nervous because of language barriers, cross-contamination, and not knowing which restaurants I could trust. To help ease those concerns, I researched gluten-free restaurants before I arrived, learned key phrases in Spanish to explain my condition, and found recommendations from other people with a gluten allergy. Knowing that Barcelona, and Spain as a whole, has a strong gluten-free community also gave me a lot more confidence before leaving.
What airline did you fly? How did you handle accommodations and airplane food?
I flew with Delta and British Airways, and both airlines offered gluten-free meal options that I requested in advance. I also packed plenty of my own snacks so I always had safe options in case I got hungry or the meal wasn’t enough. Some of the snacks I brought included Chomps meat sticks, Siete chips, and SmartSweets for a sweet treat.
Where did you live and how were meals handled?
I stayed in an apartment and bought my own food at a grocery store during the weekdays.
What are your 3 favorite places to eat in Barcelona?
Honest Greens: It’s worth the hype. Healthy, clean, and good options.
Jansana: One of my favorite gluten-free places—especially because every single thing is gluten-free! They have a great selection of gluten-free pastries, homemade bread, and so many other yummy treats. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall spot with the sweetest staff. Definitely a must-visit in Barcelona!
Zenith: This place is so good, omg. I took my family here. Tons of options for gluten-free and in general. Yummy matcha.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, were there any special sweet finds like ice cream shops or bakeries?
Chok Barcelona Gluten Free Bakery: “Another fully gluten-free place! I tried their cookies, cinnamon roll, brownies, and a few other things, and everything was so yummy for being gluten-free. They have a few locations around the city, which makes it super convenient. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for gluten-free sweets!”
Jansana Bakery: One of my favorite gluten-free places—especially because every single thing is gluten-free! They have a great selection of gluten-free pastries, homemade bread, and so many other yummy treats. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall spot with the sweetest staff. Definitely a must-visit in Barcelona!
What other places did you visit during your trip?
I visited Barcelona, Spain; Rome, Italy; Florence, Italy; Interlaken, Switzerland; Budapest, Hungary; Paris, France; Nice, France; London, England; Lisbon, Portugal; Madeira, Portugal; and Marrakech, Morocco.
Besides the food, were there any fun experiences or favorite things you did?
Some of my favorite experiences were exploring Barcelona’s neighborhoods, spending time at the beaches, visiting famous sites like Sagrada Família and Park Güell, and taking weekend trips around Europe. I loved experiencing the local café culture, walking around different areas of the city, going to markets, and exploring new places with friends. I had the opportunity to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences like skydiving in Switzerland, riding camels in Morocco, and seeing countless iconic landmarks across Europe. Each place gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures, food, traditions, and adventures while studying abroad.
