When I decided to study abroad in Barcelona, I knew that I would want to continue my passion for boxing. I have been boxing for about 2 years and I am a Co-President of my boxing club at the University of South Carolina. After much research, I decided to join a gym called Templum BCN located in L’Esquerra de l’Eixample. 

Going into it, I didn’t know what to expect, what the boxing classes would be like, and how much English would be spoken. However, one thing I did know that is true for boxing gyms across the world is that I would find hard-working and dedicated individuals who show up everyday looking to improve. At this gym, I have been fortunate to meet many local Spaniards, but also people from so many different countries such as Argentina, Tunisia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Netherlands, France and many more. Meeting people from all over the world has been very interesting for me to learn different perspectives on many aspects including culture, travel, and of course boxing. 

One interesting part of boxing is that every region around the world has their own variations or styles. With my boxing coach being Dominican I am taught more “Cuban-style” boxing tactics emphasizing flowy movement both with my feet and head. Specific techniques such as the swing check lead hook, stance-shifting, and creative blocking to gain positioning are all techniques I have learned here that are rarely taught in an American-style of boxing which focuses more on jabs, counters, and back-foot offense. But just like any sport, having a wide range of skills will prove to be extremely useful. Additionally, all the classes are taught in Spanish which has been a great opportunity for me to improve my Spanish skills. 

In conclusion, I would highly recommend joining a boxing gym or training any other martial art while studying abroad as it is a great way to get exercise in, meet new people from all over the world, and learn new skills. Some of the best friends that I have made have been from boxing because of the amount of shared respect and hard work that goes into the sport. My best piece of advice for beginners would be to come in with a mindset to learn as much as you can and to view losses or bad days at the gym as lessons and opportunities for growth.

Written by: Ryan, Spring 2025 Barcelona student from the University of South Carolina