Today was a day where we were introduced to Bilbao through a mix of engineering, history, and local culture. It was a steady flow of new experiences that helped connect what we learned in the classroom with the city around us, giving a clearer picture of both student life and the culture here.
Our day began with an information session about the engineering school at the University of the Basque Country. We learned about the different programs offered and what student life looks like there. One thing that really stood out to me was the cost, around 1000 euros for one year of study. Coming from the U.S., where college can be incredibly expensive, that was honestly shocking to hear. It really made me think about how different education systems can be. The presentation then highlighted the different engineering projects. These included the FSAE race car team, an electric guitar project, and an electric motorcycle project, all of which showcased the hands-on opportunities available to students. It was really interesting to see the variety of projects and how students apply what they learn in real-world ways, and how they were similar to what we had at Pitt. We also learned about the Oreka Balance project, which focuses on creating a way to measure and improve the balance function of patients. Hearing about all of these projects made it clear how much creativity and collaboration go into engineering beyond the classroom.
Later in the day, we went on a walking tour through the city of Bilbao, visiting several locations, including the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Casco Viejo. Learning about the history of the city made me appreciate it even more. The architecture really stood out to me, with each building having its own unique style and colors. During the tour, I also learned that Bilbao had experienced severe flooding due to the seawater and constant rain, with water levels reaching nearly two stories high in some areas. To solve this, the city developed a canal system, which also led to the creation of a man-made island. We later got pincho as a group, and one even had a crepe filled with cream cheese, which was unexpected since I thought they were all savory and not sweet.
Overall, today was a great introduction to Bilbao through its engineering programs, its history, and its food culture, all of which helped bring the city to life in a more personal way.
