An amazing experience!

Going abroad has been my dream since I started going to school. It impacted which college I chose; I went to UWEC which has a solid study abroad program. I found this experience to be enlightening and fun. I would also say that it wasn’t without it’s stresses. The Bilbao program was amazing and getting us to do things in the community including a cooking class and a kayaking journey. The teachers were great and very understanding (I got covid my first week there). I felt supported by the program leaders and they helped me through the tough experience of being sick while abroad. The best advice I can offer is to be prepared, make friends when you arrive (friends form fast, something I missed out on from being sick), plan your trips out before leaving, be courteous of the locals, and enjoy as much as you can while there. Also bring a great pair of walking shoes as that is the main mode of transport (although there is a train system and bus system that aren't too difficult to operate). Places to visit and things to try: Guggenheim, Kalimotxo (drink native to Basque country), anything involving baked goods