Tuesday, June 26th
My last full day in Bilbao and feelings of both exhaustion,
homesickness, and satisfaction fill my mind and body. I said my
farewells to both the wonderful people at USAC as well as my companions
throughout my stay (all of which will be staying in Europe for either
second session or additional traveling). I will use this final blog post
to share some pictures of the places I visited daily throughout my
study abroad as well as of the people I have mentioned but yet to show.
 |
| View of the University of the Basque Country |
 |
| Outside our classroom in the basement floor of the university |
 |
| Resident Director Ibon and Assistants Maria, Arantxa, and Mane |
 |
| View of my homestay from outside |
 |
| My host family: Pablo, Pedro, Carlota, and Florian |
With my study abroad experience now behind me, my blog is almost finished. In retrospect, my decision to study in Spain (and more specifically the Basque Country) was well worth the cost and time. The class I took in renewable energy was insightful, challenging, and presented in a manner that highlighted the context of Bilbao culture. The people here are genuinely kind, despite their calm, almost somber, facial expressions, and the natural attractions of the area were highlighted in my experiences hiking up mountains, kayaking in the river, and walking the many city's many beaches. The food played a major (and delicious) role in my adoption of the Basque culture. It is this culture that has defined this memorable past month and one that I am grateful to have been able to share. With that said, "Vale, Venga, and Agur!" (OK, Come on, Goodbye!)
It's sad that you won't be able to update your blog now that your study program in Spain is already done. Oh, by the way I'm looking for the best place to study abroad in Spain, do you know some?
ReplyDeleteYour options will probably be limited depending on what study abroad program you choose.
DeleteHere's a link to the program I went through:
http://usac.unr.edu/study-abroad-programs/spain
As for the best place, it is up to your personality and what kind of experience you want. Bilbao/Getxo was great for me because I love the outdoors and I wanted a safe and friendly city.
There may be some overlap in cities such as Madrid or San Sebastian, but I would assume different people would have different preferences. If you're studying abroad, you'll be living there for over a month so pick a place you think you can fit in for a long time.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMy name is KC Owens; I’m a college student who loves to travel! While cruising the Internet, I found your site and really enjoyed reading your posts. Personally, I think traveling is a necessary part of life as you’re exposed to all sorts of new cultures and experiences. While enjoying time abroad, I've found it's crucial to fully understand the dangers that you might encounter along the way. These mishaps are part of life and certainly part of travel but it’s always a great idea to take preventive measures to help ensure your safety while abroad.
I was hoping that you would allow me to write a post for your site to share my travel safety tips with your readers? I put a lot of time and passion into my traveling and I would love to help others by offering safety advice as a result of the mistakes and triumphs I've had. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
KC Owens