On our last day in Spain, we returned to the Bilbao School of Engineering for our final few presentations. The first presentation talked about the design process: identifying a problem, creating a rough draft, building a prototype, ensuring objectives are met, and creating a final product. The presenter, Mikel, elaborated on each step, explaining how engineers need to utilize technical skills, such as software design and structural analysis, in the creation. He also explained how engineers often deal with financial difficulties to produce a prototype, as inventors are responsible for finding external funding. I really liked his presentation, as it reminded me of a class I took in the fall, ENGR 11, where we had to create our own prototype that tackled the issue of dining hall waste at our school. Back then, I took the engineering design process for granted, treating it as part of our instructions instead of a well-researched method. Mikel discussed how the engineering process changes when creating medical products and how doctors are heavily consulted during the design phase. This is really important, as medical devices are heavily regulated, making it really expensive for inventors to bring them to market. I appreciated learning about this process and understanding the constraints of your design

Outside of the engineering presentations, it was pretty bittersweet going to the engineering school for a final time, as we had spent so much time there in our first few days. To commemorate our final day, Saioa brought us Bollo de Mantequilla (butter buns), a beloved Bibaon pastry. It reminded me how I had fully embraced the culture, through enjoying the multiple-course meals, pinxos, and fish-heavy diet. Spain taught me to go beyond my comfort zone by eating traditional foods and participating in adventures, nerve-wrecking excursions. For instance, I did not expect to walk the several miles up a narrow, windy inlet- but I’m glad I pushed myself and experienced the beauty of Gaztelugatxe. As I return to America, I’ll keep these memories in mind and use them to guide my daily decisions. Eskerrik asko, Spain!