My first day studying abroad in Bilbao was a mix of learning, exploring, and (of course) eating. We started the day at the university’s engineering school where we listened to Saioa, an engineering professor, speak about her research. She introduced us to the “Oreka-Balance” (Oreka meaning “balance” in Basque) rehabilitation machine, which is used to quantify balance in stroke and post-surgery patients.

After the lecture, we had lunch in the school cafeteria which was nothing like what I am used to in the US. I had a full meal of cheese and spinach pasta, a chicken thigh, bread, and chocolate pudding. The portions were noticeably quite larger, and the fact that it was a full 3 course meal felt more like a restaurant experience than a school lunch.

Later, we went on walking tour of the city and saw some of Bilbao’s most famous attractions including the Guggenheim Museum and Puppy. We also visited Parque de Casilda Iturrizar which was filled with beautiful greenery and gardens.

For dinner, we were on our own so we ventured to Plaza Nueva for a few pintxos, gelato, and Basque cheesecake. The cheesecake and Dolche de Leche gelato were easily some of the best desserts I have ever tried. Overall, our first day was successful and packed with both the academic and cultural aspects of Bilbao.