Those who opt for a semester abroad at the Universidad del País Vasco (UPV) theoretically study in Spain, but in practice they do not quite do so. This is because Bilbao,with about 350,000 inhabitants, is the largest city of the autonomous Basque region, which is characterised by its strong culture, such as its own language - Euskara - and many traditions. Here you feel Basque first and Spanish second.
Bilbao is located in the north-eastern region of Spain at the Atlantic coast, close to the French border, between the cities of San Sebastian and Santander. It is one of the most important industrial and port cities in Spain, which you no longer notice, however, when you look at it.
For the former dreary and gray industrial city has become one of the most interesting cities in Europe in recent years. Futuristic new buildings were added to the old town, the so-called Casco Viejo, among which the Guggenheim Museum is the best known. Beautifully situated on the River Nervión, it has been attracting many visitors since its opening in the late 1990s.
UPV's Faculty of Economics is located in Sarriko, a few kilometres from the city centre, and is easily accessible by the modern metro. The size and lay-out of the campus makes it easy to find your way around from the start. The buildings of the university are nothing special, but there is everything you need: library, cafeteria and computer rooms. There is no compulsory attendance except for the language courses.
Even when you're not at the college, you'll definitely not get bored in Bilbao. On nice days, which are still very frequent at present, the easiest way is to get on the subway and drive to one of the beautiful beaches in the area. If you can surf, you surf here, if not, you learn it or just enjoy the sea and the sunshine. On weekends, organizations such as ESN Bilbao often offer trips to nearby attractions and cities, during which you can always meet new people as there are many exchange students in Bilbao.
After about 3 weeks in Bilbao, I can only say - it was a great choice to come here and I am really looking forward to the next few months.
