Bilbao / Getxo, Spain Semester Recap

Our Bilbao/Getxo, Spain program isn’t short on cultural immersion and learning opportunities. With colorful field trips and other local happenings on the itinerary, our staff abroad knows full well how to provide an insider’s guide to students.

Private gastronomic society? Yes, please.

On one of the first Fridays we invited students to a txoko, a private gastronomic society, where members of the “Peña del Athletic” (supporters of the local soccer team Athletic de Bilbao) usually meet to watch games and celebrate together. We enjoyed several traditional Basque dishes: chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), chistorra, carrilleras (beef cheeks) and grilled mushrooms. Hmmm, Yummy! It turned out to be a delicious unexpected lunch!

Learn the art of bullfighting.

We visited the bullring of Bilbao, called Vista Alegre, which was reopened in the early 60s (after a fire destroyed the original bullring arena dating back to 1882). Students learned about the art of bullfighting, how the bulls are chosen and bull fighters are invited. Each year, during the festivity week “Semana Grande/Aste Nagusia” in August, there are bullfights going on every afternoon. The bullring also features a little museum. There are several traditional tools displayed, a real stuffed bull, photos of famous bullfighters, their “trajes de luces” (clothing worn by toreros in the bullring) and also every single poster announcing each year´s corrida de toros (bullfight) during Semana Grande since its beginnings.

We visited the bullring of Bilbao, called Vista Alegre, which was reopened in the early 60s (after a fire destroyed the original bullring arena dating back to 1882). Students learned about the art of bullfighting, how the bulls are chosen and bull fighters are invited. Each year, during the festivity week “Semana Grande/Aste Nagusia” in August, there are bullfights going on every afternoon. The bullring also features a little museum. There are several traditional tools displayed, a real stuffed bull, photos of famous bullfighters, their “trajes de luces” (clothing worn by toreros in the bullring) and also every single poster announcing each year´s corrida de toros (bullfight) during Semana Grande since its beginnings.

Wine country, running with the bulls, and chanting monks.

For the overnight excursion we went to Navarra. First we visited the lovely little town of Olite, with its medieval castle and the wine museum. Once in Pamplona, we enjoyed a guided tour of the world-famous running of the bulls (encierro), that takes place every single morning at 8am during the festivity week “San Fermines”, from July 7th to July 14th. The tour leads to the bull ring. We also visited the pedestrian zones and the Citadel jardins. Later in the evening we went up to Monastery of Leyre, where we visited the crypt and listened to Gregorian chants sung by the monks that live there.

Surf’s up!

Mid March we took students to Larrabasterra Beach to meet the surfing instructors for the first time. Thankfully, the weather was very mild, so we were able to walk from the metro station all the way to the beach. After technical lessons inside, students head out to the beach and perform basic movements before heading out to the water.

Students listening during their first theoretical class.

World’s Strongest USAC Student Competition

Mid April we organized a Basque rural sports exhibition. After Spanish class ended we took the metro towards Getxo. From there we walked to Andramari Sports Center, where we enjoyed an exhibition on some rural sports such as “sokatira” (rope pulling), sawing, wood chopping, stone lifting, and more. After receiving explanations on the different techniques used for each rural sport, students were given the chance to try them out. The event ended with a “sokatira” competition among USAC students. The winners of each category are called “txapeldunak”, and they receive a “txapela” (Basque beret).

Joseph Blythe (Portland State University) lifting a 150kg stone!

Can I have seconds?

For the last Basque Cuisine class we were invited to the cooking school, where students prepared a wonderful meal
for themselves and us. They had to choose among several dishes they had learned to prepare and cook during the
semester. They treated us with real delicacies! 

The professional cooks, starting from the left: Eden Schmidt (Point Loma Nazarene
University), Cameron Engdahl (CSU Chico) and Sarah Campbell (U of Idaho).

A childhood dream.

We also visited the fire station of Bilbao. Students were shown around the facilities and learned about the daily work they have to do.

Shayaan Motamedi (CSU Chico) ready to hop on the fire truck

Let’s get fancy.

Lastly, we had our Gala Dinner in Sociedad La Bilbaina. This club was founded in 1839 and is located in a building with magnificent architectonic value right downtown Bilbao. It was a nice opportunity for girls to dress up and boys to wear a jacket and a (bow) tie. Students were very excited about it, they dressed up and we all met at the metro stop to walk to La Bilbaina, where we first enjoyed some appetizers and a delicious three-course meal afterwards.

– USAC –