Day 2 in Bilbao started with a scenic bus ride out to Hospital Gorliz which quickly became one of the most memorable experiences so far. The hospital staff warmly welcomed us, taking time to introduce themselves, share their experiences, and explain how their healthcare system operates. Even the patients were very open and accepting of our presence and offered us warm greetings and smiles as we passed by. Pedro, the lead physician, gave us a tour, showing the different rehabilitation gyms, equipment, rooms, and staff. He proudly introduced us to members of his nursing and nursing assistant teams. As a small token of our appreciation, we gave them “Pitt Nursing” pens. They gratefully accepted this gift and joked that they would serve as good luck charms for their upcoming exams.

We also had the chance to meet 2 additional members of Saioa’s research team who gave us a deeper look into the Oreka-Balance machine. They walked us through how it measures patient stability and recovery. We even got to try it out ourselves, making the experience more interactive and memorable.

One of the most unique aspects of the hospital was its beautiful coastal location. The nearby beach is not simply just for views, but is actually incorporated into patient therapy, offering a calming and restorative environment with natural lighting and bright colors, rather than the typical bright white, “hospital lighting.” The staff even gave each of us a cute little keychain of the hospital to commemorate our tour. After our visit, we took a short walk along the coast to find a spot for a quick lunch before heading off for our very first train ride.

That evening, we regrouped for dinner at Zaka, where I ordered Salmon and a brownie which was the perfect way to end our day full of healthcare and scenery.