Data Science Field Trip - Barcelona
After landing in Barcelona, we took the metro straight to our accommodations, the Residència Universitària SIL. After checking in and taking a short break to rest, the first highlight of the trip was already waiting for us: dinner at Mirablau. High above the city’s rooftops, we enjoyed an exquisite—if somewhat pricey—dinner, which rewarded us with a breathtaking view of Barcelona at night.
The next morning, we got an early start, as a visit to Barcelona Activa was on the agenda. As one of the city’s best-known innovation centers, it provides targeted support to startups and local businesses in their development and growth.
The next day began with a visit to La Salle Universitat Ramon Llull. During the presentations, we had the opportunity to learn about the university’s various bachelor’s and master’s programs, with a particular focus on the fields of AI and data science. Special emphasis was placed on the international aspects of the programs, opportunities for collaboration, and summer schools. The professor engaged us in a discussion about the future development of artificial intelligence and its application in everyday life and professional settings. Particularly interesting was the presentation of local AI models and tools such as GPT4All, which enable local use and adaptation of models to users’ specific needs while providing greater control over the data.
The next day, we visited SEAT. It was truly impressive to see just how highly automated the production is and how perfectly all the processes mesh together. On the vast grounds, we were driven from building to building by bus and then got an up-close look at the production halls during a walking tour. A familiar and almost homely sight was the many Kuka robots working with precision there.
Afterward, we visited the Universitat Abat Oliba CEU, a truly charming university. Even though it doesn’t currently offer any degree programs relevant to our field of study, that department is currently being established there. In the evening, a mandatory tapas dinner was on the agenda. In a relaxed atmosphere and over good food, we got to know each other even better.
It was particularly exciting to learn more about the various support programs—ranging from consulting services and professional development opportunities to financial grants and modern workspaces for young companies. Everywhere we went, we could feel the entrepreneurial spirit and the motivation to bring new ideas to life. It was fascinating to see how small ideas can grow into successful projects and companies when the right conditions are in place. We found the numerous success stories of startups—which made their breakthrough with the help of Barcelona Activa and are now successful on the international stage—particularly inspiring.
The tour of downtown Barcelona made a strong impression on us right from the moment we arrived. As we walked through different parts of the city, we had the opportunity to experience Barcelona’s authentic atmosphere, its energy and dynamism, as well as the blend of history and modern lifestyle. We visited the impressive Basílica de la Sagrada Família, whose architecture is breathtaking even from the outside.
The day then led us spontaneously to the beach, which turned out to be one of the most beautiful and relaxing moments of our vacation. Despite the water temperature of 18 degrees, we braved the cool water and then enjoyed the sun and the relaxed atmosphere on the beach.
After our visit to the beach, we made our way to Montjuïc, a place that holds special significance for the residents of Barcelona due to its rich history, cultural importance, and unique view of the city. Throughout history, Montjuïc has been an important part of Barcelona’s identity—from the 1992 Olympic Games to the numerous museums, parks, and cultural events that still take place there today. As we sat on the steps enjoying the sun, singing and guitar music in the background created a special atmosphere that beautifully rounded out the day.
Friday started at different times for all of us—which was probably also because we’d gone out and enjoyed ourselves to the fullest the night before. Some of the group went for a leisurely morning walk to a small park. After breakfast together at our lodging, we started with a tour of two or three cozy shops in the Gràcia neighborhood before heading to Barcelona’s largest flea market, the Mercat dels Encants. There, we met up with the other students. For the rest of the day, we split up: Our absolute highlight was the tour of Casa Batlló, another of Gaudí’s masterpieces. Afterward, we spent a relaxing afternoon at the harbor. We had our last big dinner together at a typical Spanish restaurant before wrapping up the trip in style at a bar and then at a club.
On Saturday, it was finally time to say goodbye. Lufthansa, Vueling, or Ryanair flew us safely back to Germany.