Today was our final day in Bilbao, and I can’t believe the trip is already over. I’ve met some of the best people, and I truly couldn’t be more grateful for this experience. In the morning, we headed to the School of Engineering one last time. We had a presentation about the healthcare system in Bilbao from a user perspective. We talked more about the differences between the United States and the system in Bilbao. Saioa showed us how simple it is to make appointments through their website and even showed us some of her upcoming and past appointments. We discussed how money is never a major issue or deciding factor there. In the United States, it’s very different. Our healthcare often depends on your insurance and what it does or doesn’t cover.
After that, we visited another student project to see a robotic prosthetic arm. They explained their club, the development of the arm, and how they have worked directly with an amputee to improve their design. We also visited another lab where a club builds electric guitars. We learned about their design process, and some of us even got to test them out.
After lunch, we took the metro to Getxo to see the Hanging Bridge. Even though it was very rainy and windy, we still went to the top and walked across. It felt safe since it was enclosed, but it was a little strange seeing cars moving underneath us. During our free time, we stopped at a small coffee shop to warm up and hang out before meeting back up to head to our goodbye dinner. We ate at a cute restaurant right by the beach, and the food was delicious. I had a truffle burger and a brownie with whipped cream.
After dinner, we got back on the bus to say goodbye to Professor Saioa and Mikel. On the ride back to the hotel, we all sang songs and had fun together. It was the perfect way to end the trip. I have had such an amazing time, and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I loved meeting new people and experiencing a new culture. This has been one of my favorite trips, and I know I’ll cherish these memories forever. Thank you to everyone. I am so grateful!
