My program is coming to an end very soon, so I thought I'd dedicate this blog post to my home city of Bilbao. When I'm not out traveling across Europe on the weekends, this is where I'm spending the majority of my time. I stay with my host family in Bilbao, go to school in Bilbao, and walk the streets of Bilbao almost every day. Even though I've only been here for less than 4 months, this city feels like a second home to me.
My host family: Camilo (Dad), Esti (Mom), Eneko (Little Boy), and Ane (Baby Girl) have been the biggest blessing. The love and support they have shown me during my stay has been incredible. Both of my host parents have gone above and beyond in making sure I've been having the best experience possible. They've taken me into their home and made me feel apart of the family. I got to do things like watch movies or wrestle with their son and even got the chance to to watch their baby girl take her first steps. Those are the moments that I'll take with me when I come home.
Believe or not I'm actually taking classes here as well. I've been studying at the University of Deusto, a private school that has programs for students all across the world. The two classes I have been taking are Spanish and International Marketing. Spanish for 10 hours a week (I'm still terrible), and marketing for 2-3 hours a week. To be honest, both of the classes have been fairly easy. Spanish will always be a challenge to me, but I like my professor and classmates. I haven't learned much in marketing, but I have to give my professor points for trying to teach a class in English, a language he doesn't know very well. There's been times where I wish I would have taken more classes, but there was no way to know how little work I was going to have. I've learned much more outside of the classroom and that's the real reason I came to Spain in the first place.
In terms of the city itself, I have nothing but good things to say about Bilbao. The Basque Region is beautiful and full of character. I've enjoyed walking along the river to class every day and watching the leaves change color this fall. The city has a laid back and warm vibe to it that I've also thoroughly enjoyed. My favorite part has been living in Casco Viejo, the old part of town. The streets are narrow and lined with specialty shops and pintxo bars. People are always hanging out in the square next to my house and I've even started to recognize people on my way home from school. I've learned a lot in this city and will take a piece of it with me everywhere I go. It's a weird feeling knowing that I'm leaving soon and probably will never walk these streets again.
My host family: Camilo (Dad), Esti (Mom), Eneko (Little Boy), and Ane (Baby Girl) have been the biggest blessing. The love and support they have shown me during my stay has been incredible. Both of my host parents have gone above and beyond in making sure I've been having the best experience possible. They've taken me into their home and made me feel apart of the family. I got to do things like watch movies or wrestle with their son and even got the chance to to watch their baby girl take her first steps. Those are the moments that I'll take with me when I come home.
Believe or not I'm actually taking classes here as well. I've been studying at the University of Deusto, a private school that has programs for students all across the world. The two classes I have been taking are Spanish and International Marketing. Spanish for 10 hours a week (I'm still terrible), and marketing for 2-3 hours a week. To be honest, both of the classes have been fairly easy. Spanish will always be a challenge to me, but I like my professor and classmates. I haven't learned much in marketing, but I have to give my professor points for trying to teach a class in English, a language he doesn't know very well. There's been times where I wish I would have taken more classes, but there was no way to know how little work I was going to have. I've learned much more outside of the classroom and that's the real reason I came to Spain in the first place.
In terms of the city itself, I have nothing but good things to say about Bilbao. The Basque Region is beautiful and full of character. I've enjoyed walking along the river to class every day and watching the leaves change color this fall. The city has a laid back and warm vibe to it that I've also thoroughly enjoyed. My favorite part has been living in Casco Viejo, the old part of town. The streets are narrow and lined with specialty shops and pintxo bars. People are always hanging out in the square next to my house and I've even started to recognize people on my way home from school. I've learned a lot in this city and will take a piece of it with me everywhere I go. It's a weird feeling knowing that I'm leaving soon and probably will never walk these streets again.
Universidad de Deusto
Guggenheim Musuem
Casco Viejo
My Apartment