Classes and Teachers: Most of the classes are fun and are taught by well-qualified teachers who are native speakers of the language you study (English, German or French). You can certainly learn a lot about the language itself during this degree, but don’t expect to learn a lot of German or French. The level is expected from the students, but the language classes are disorganized and there is no continuation of the program. Another issue are the assignments students have to submit each week. This causes a lot of work and many students feel very overwhelmed, especially before exams, because there is no gap between submitting assignments and sitting the exams.

Class Schedule: Classes organization is a mess and you have a lot of breaks between classes and end up on campus between 1pm and 8pm, with only 4 hours of classes. This makes it very difficult for students to work during the week.

University itself: Few activities to get involved in. Few events. A shame.

I spent four years in the Applied Languages Bachelor program. Overall, it met my expectations and the education I got was as promised.

Starting with the pros, most teachers have had practical real-life experience working in the subjects they teach (translators, editors, programmers, etc.) and clearly know the ropes.

The courses have a fair mix of theoretical subjects, such as semantics or linguistics, and more practical courses, like translation or interpretation.

However, due to the great quantity of courses on various topics within the realm of Applied Languages (languages and society, education, technology, business, translation, publishing, etc.), one might feel as if they know a bit of everything but not much of anything when they finish this program.

I would say this bachelor is a good starting point from which to study further in one of the topics introduced during the courses. Maybe pursuing a master’s in linguistic research or studying to become a language teacher could be suitable follow-up paths.

The teachers and the university were really good for me as a person, they helped me a lot, and today I’m a better person because of the classes I had there. Thank you Pompeu Fabra, without you my life would be different:).

From my degree, I would highlight the good teaching staff and teaching team of the university. Since I study languages, I like that the teachers are highly qualified and the vast majority are native speakers of English, French and German. However, the university has many problems organizing assignments and schedules, causing very serious inconveniences when it comes to finding a job. Sometimes you can have 4 hours hanging between one class and another. I also believe that there is poor management from the secretary regarding student services.

During the process of applying for the Bachelor’s Degree of Applied Languages at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, getting accepted, figuring out where I would live in Barcelona, packing my bags, arriving in the city, and finally enrolling at the campus; I made a decision that completely shifted my academic trajectory. I choose not to do deep research about the course’s learning content and evaluation system.

If I had been aware FROM THE VERY BEGINNING about every intellectual challenge I would have to succeed to graduate I would have come in as a frightened and insecure student or, even worse, I would have given it all up and stayed in my hometown. My negligence outtake on the complex academic path I was going for ALLOWED me to view my foreignness NOT as a disadvantage in comparison to my colleagues BUT YES as something that made me truly special. I didn’t have to be prepared for everything that was to come. I just had to deal with what was asked of me in the present moment.

The key to succeeding as a foreign student is not being uncomfortable to ask for help. Each and every one of my classmates and the people who work at UPF is more than happy to give me support. But they won’t do it if I don’t make it CLEAR that I wanted their help. They’re not telepaths. In addition, I make sure to always show how grateful I am for these individuals taking their time and energy to make my student life easier and more pleasant.

My university experience has been the most impactful thing I have ever done in my life. It has proven to me that I don’t need background knowledge to thrive in any subject. I can develop proficiency and expertise as I go.

Even though I still don’t get many of the jokes made in the Catalan language, my course has made me feel belonged because there isn’t such a thing as gatekeeping any aspect of the local’s culture. My only criticism about the programme is that I think we should have less translation-focused subjects. If we wanted to be translators we would’ve enrolled for the Translation and Interpretation Bachelor Degree. My favourite things about studying Applied Languages at UPF are: a professor named Carmen del Río (she’s the best teacher I have ever had), the campus (absurdly nice to be there) and having so many intelligent young people around me.