Today was our first official day in Bilbao, it was full of exploring! We first met Professor Saioa in the hotel lobby and walked over to the Bilbao School of Engineering. The morning was full of informational presentations including a brief literary overview. We also discussed the difference in lifestyles between the Basque Country and the United States. One thing I found striking was how healthy the work life is in Bilbao compared to the United States. They really prioritize their vacations and time off. After the presentations, we walked over to the newer engineering building to eat a delicious lunch. After lunch we returned back to the auditorium where Professor Saioa introduced us to the research she has been working on, Oreka Balance. Her and her team have developed a new medical device that analyzes patients’ center of pressure through four sensors on a mobile platform.

In the afternoon, we met up with our walking tour guide, Mangle, who showed us all around the city. We went to the Cathedral, the football stadium, which is home to the national team and is conveniently located right next to the Engineering School. Mangle also introduced us to many beautiful parts of the city including parks, traditional architecture, and significant historical locations. I really enjoyed looking at all the past football championship celebrations. When they win the championship, the football team travel down Nervion river in a boat to with celebrate with their fans. We finished off the tour with some delicious pintxos. I can’t wait for the next two weeks in Bilbao!