Written By: Jack Robertson
Today, we had a wonderful time exploring several iconic locations in the Basque Country. While these place consisted of beautiful scenery and views, learning more about Spanish culture and comparisons to American culture had a very strong impact on me throughout the entire day.
In the first part of our day, we visited San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. This beautiful landmark, located on the coast of the Basque Country, features a small island with a building placed at the top of its peak. While the view alone was breathtaking, we also learned about the environmental protections the Spanish government has put in place for the surrounding area.
By law, the island’s water, air, and natural environment are all protected. One of the main reasons for these protections is that the island serves as a crucial stopping point for birds migrating between the northern and southern hemispheres. The island must remain in good condition to support this natural process. I found this absolutely fascinating and it felt inspiring to see how the government actively works to preserve such an important part of the ecosystem.
We also spent part of our day exploring the town of Mundaka, which is a small, cozy fishing village filled with shops and restaurants owned by local residents. What I found particularly interesting was learning about a group of people trying to build a mini-Guggenheim museum in the town.
From what I understand, the project is controversial among the townspeople, and many banners and posters expressed their opposition to this. This is largely because, by law, new buildings aren’t supposed to be constructed in the town, and residents feel it’s unfair to bypass this rule for the sake of tourism. Although I still have much to learn about the issue, it was fascinating to see local politics and self-expression in a country different from my own.
Overall, today was absolutely beautiful and incredibly educational. It gave me the opportunity to learn about a culture different from my own. Seeing how the Spanish government protects its wildlife, along with how Spain addresses controversial issues, was eye-opening and important for understanding the society here. While some of this information is similar to what I know from the U.S., it was interesting comparing and contrasting how we handle issues.
What stood out to me most though was how this experience helped deepen my understanding of people from different backgrounds. It reminded me how important it is to empathize with issues that may not directly affect me, which is something that’s not only a valuable human skill but also crucial as I prepare for a career where I’ll work with people from a variety of different cultural backgrounds. Today had a profound impact on me, and I truly felt enlightened by the chance to learn about a society and culture outside of my own.