I had the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus+ programme in Barcelona from February to June 2026, during the second semester of my fifth year of medical school.

Barcelona was not initially my first-choice destination, but it turned out to be a fantastic city for this experience.

The hospital where I completed my internship, Parc Taulí, was located in Sabadell, a city around 40 km from Barcelona, which I could easily reach by bus.

Both the doctors and the students were very welcoming, often choosing to speak Spanish rather than Catalan, which helped a lot.

Academically, the internship was extremely enriching, and I was able to learn many new concepts across different medical specialties. I would particularly highlight my four-week Neurosurgery rotation, where I had the opportunity to observe some remarkable surgeries up close, procedures I had never seen before and from which I learned a great deal.

The professors quickly made us feel at ease and treated us as if we had always been their students, which contributed greatly to my learning experience. The same can be said of the students, who were always willing to help whenever we needed it.

As for the city itself, Barcelona is full of life, with numerous incredible tourist attractions, breathtaking views and a very distinctive identity. As a highly developed metropolitan city, it has a great deal to offer culturally and, on top of that, it has a beach, making it a great place to enjoy at the weekends.

I had the opportunity to meet many new people, learn a great deal and become proficient in a new language.

I strongly encourage students from Católica to take part in this experience, as it is extremely enriching not only academically but also on a personal level.

Looking back, I have nothing but wonderful memories of this journey, and I will certainly return to Barcelona!

Maria do Carmo dos Santos Mata Neves da Costa

6th year student IMM