Finding a place to live abroad isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. In this episode, we break down the pros and cons of student residences vs. private rentals, share common red flags to watch out for (from scams to tricky contracts), and talk through what we wish we knew before moving.

We also dive into life in Naples—what the people are like, the culture, the food scene, and some must-visit spots across Italy—so you know what to expect beyond just housing.

Whether you’re planning to study abroad or move overseas, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and settle in with confidence.

Time Stamps:

Meeting in Naples 1:48

Living Experiences in Europe 2:30

Cultural Insights 3:45

Safety and Challenges 6:38

Cultural Immersion in Student Residences 8:35

The Italian Coffee Experience 9:56

Friendships and Connections 11:50

Comparing Cultures: Italy vs France 12:12

Living Conditions and Community 14:45

Safety Tips for Tourists 20:53

Final Thoughts and Reconnecting 24:57

Barcelona residence: Resa Barcelona Diagonal University Hall of Residence - RESA

Naples residence: Collegio Universitario Villalta, Napoli - IPE

Apartment rentals site (mentioned at 5:50):Rooms, Flats, Apartments and Accommodation for rent at Uniplaces

My book (mentioned at 12:00): Susan's European Memoir: THE GEOGRAPHY OF BECOMING: A memoir of leaving, living abroad, and redefining home.: Chen, Susan: 9798250683050: Books - Amazon.ca

Italian pizzas/dessert mentioned:

Coffee (I was trying to recall at 10:07): Cafe con crema

Margerita pizza

Diavola pizza Cannoli

Tiramisu

Creama pasticcera

Caprese

Italian travel destinations mentioned:

UNESCO sites (mentioned at 3:50): Pompeii and Ercolano

Turin

Rome

Puglia

Sicily (Palermo & Catania)

Mt. Etna

Landing in Barcelona is exciting—until the paperwork, logistics, and daily setup hit all at once. In this episode, we break down your first 30 days abroad in Barcelona into a simple, step-by-step survival guide. From securing residency documents and opening a bank account to getting a local SIM card and navigating the metro, we cut through the admin overwhelm and focus on what actually matters. If you’ve just moved—or are about to—this is your practical roadmap to getting settled in Barcelona quickly and confidently.Time Stamps:

Address Registry (Empadronamiento) 02:32

Foreign Identity Card (TIE) 3:53

Bank Account 5:47

Metro 8:50

SIM 11:24

Empadronamiento:

Process info (Barcelona City Council)Registration in the municipal register of residents of the city of Barcelona | Barcelona International Welcome | Barcelona

Booking an appointmentEmpadronamiento (TIE)

EX-17 form for TIE:How to fill in form EX17 (TIE)

CaixaBank: About us | CaixaBank

Barcelona Metro:TMB – metro bus Barcelona | Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona

How to get the T-Jove (Youth discounted pass):

1. Register for T-mobilitat

Create an account:Go to: https://www.tmb.cat or T-mobilitat site

Register with:Passport / NIE / IDEmail + phone number

2. Choose your support (how you’ll use it)

You have 2 options:

Mobile (fastest)

Use NFC Android phoneLoad ticket directly onto phone walletPhysical card

Ordered online or at service pointArrives in ~5 days

3. Buy and load the T-Jove

Once registered:Open the TMB / T-mobilitat appSelect T-Jove

Pay (price is around €40–€45 depending on zones)

Load it onto your card or phone

Recommended alterative phone carriers:

Movistar

Vodaphone

eSIMs:eSIM for travellers | eSIM.sm

In this episode, I break down the key visa differences between Spain, France, and Italy—specifically for Canadian passport holders applying for student visas. I share what to expect in each country, why Italy is often the most challenging, and the common mistakes that can cost you time, money, and opportunities.

If you’re planning to study abroad, this episode will help you navigate the process with more clarity and confidence.

Time Stamps:

Spanish Visa 3:00

French Visa 8:15

Italian Visa 10:44

Spanish Student Visa:

Study visa

Required funds: about €600–€700 per month

For 1 year: roughly €7,200–€8,400 total

French Student Visa:

Student - France-Visas

Required funds: about €615 per month

For 1 year: about €7,380 total

Italian Student Visa:

Student in Italy - Migration and Home Affairs - European Commission

Required funds: about €460–€470 per month

For 1 year: roughly €6,000 total

Spanish Health Insurance:

Sanitas Health Plans • Sanitas health insurance in Spain for expats

Barcelona Student Residence:

Resa Barcelona Diagonal University Hall of Residence - RESA