Today focused on a company visit, research, and learning more about the history and culture of the Basque region.

We started the day with a visit to Tekniker, which is part of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance. During the visit, we toured several labs and learned about the different projects the company is currently working on. It was interesting seeing the machines and equipment up close, along with learning how the technology is used in research and industry. The visit gave me a better understanding of what type of projects engineering can be applied to. One thing that surprised me was the work-life balance. The company had built in recreational rooms like a gym and a rock wall for their workers.

After the company visit, we traveled to Oma Forest to see the artwork painted on the trees throughout the forest. The hike itself was not the best experience because the trails were very muddy, making the walk difficult in some areas. The hike was also uphill, making it very tiring. One of our groupmates also slipped and fell, leading to their whole pants to be covered in mud. Despite that, it was still interesting seeing how the artwork could be painted like that. When standing at a certain angle, you can see the whole portrait come to life.

Later in the day, we visited Gernika and learned more about the history of Spain and the tragedy that occurred there during the bombing of Gernika. Visiting the city and hearing about its history added another perspective to the trip and provided more context about the region and its past.