Bilbao provides a cosmopolitan location to experience the unique combination of Basque and Spanish cultures. The city has gained recent fame for being home to the Guggenheim Museum, designed by architect Frank Gehry, one of the most important pieces of modern architecture in the world. This and other modern elements are the tangible signs of the transformation Bilbao has undergone in recent years, changing from a prosperous industrial town into a modern European center of business and culture.

Smart, cosmopolitan and just minutes from the coast, Bilbao is a great place for students. The University of Deusto is one of Spain’s most prestigious private universities. It is located directly across the river from the Guggenheim, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, several public parks and jogging and biking paths running the length of the city along the Nervion River. Students will find Bilbao to be beautiful, easy to get around and an ideal place to study.

Bilbao is a contemporary city with access to Mother Nature in all directions. The area offers multiple opportunities for mountain and sea sports and is just a stone's throw from the world famous surf spot of Mundaka. In the city there are enough history and art museums to keep both visitors and locals alike busy for an extended period of time. Whether students are interested in shopping, socializing and sightseeing or hiking, surfing and biking, participants will find more than enough activities to occupy their time outside of class.

The medieval part of the city (Casco Viejo) also has its own unique pulse with a steady flow of patrons coming and going at certain times of the day like clockwork to have a coffee, tapa or a drink and move on to the next café. The Basque region is famous worldwide for its exquisite cuisine and the winding medieval streets of the historical center offer many opportunities to sample it.

Bilbao is also conveniently located for travel along the beautiful northern coast and throughout the rest of Spain and Europe.

Guggenheim Museum: The structure is spectacular and its contents are equally as exciting. Opened in 1997, the museum was designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry and its breathtaking curves are reminiscent of both fish scales and boat hulls, both significant elements to the port city of Bilbao. The museum houses permanent and visiting exhibits, showcasing world-renowned contemporary and modern art.

Casco Viejo (Old Town): The medieval historical center of Bilbao's winding streets is a labyrinth of restaurants, cafés, shops and marketplaces. The charming atmosphere and well-preserved buildings create a lively neighborhood with a unique local flair. The Casco Viejo provides the perfect setting for an afternoon stroll and tapas tour or a night out on the town.

Santiago Cathedral: Dating back to the 14th century, the cathedral is located in the center of the Old Town and provides interesting examples of a variety of Gothic styles. Once an important stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela (Camino de Santiago), the building is of historical and architectural interest.

Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum): The museum currently boasts over six thousand works that span the 12th century to the present day, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings, and other decorative objects from both Spanish and international artists.

Beaches: Numerous beach communities are easily reached from Bilbao using public transportation. When the weather heats up in the summer, it is easy to find a nearby beach for relaxing, swimming, watersports, and even surfing.

Throughout the Basque Country there are two official languages: Euskera (Basque) and Spanish. Most street signs, place names, and even newspapers are written in both languages, but for a student of Spanish the presence of both languages does not present confusion and students have the same opportunities to speak and learn Spanish as in other regions of Spain.

Basque Phrases:
Kaixo (kye-sho): Hello
Eskerrik asko (ehs-keh-reesk ahs-koe): Thank you very much
Agur (ah-goor): Good-bye

Spanish Phrases:
¿Habla inglés? Do you speak English? (formal)
¿Hablas inglés? Do you speak English? (informal)
(No) Hablo español. I (don't) speak Spanish.
Perdóname/Con permiso. Excuse me (used when cutting through a crowd).
Pasa. Pass (the response to perdóname).
Lo siento. I'm sorry.
¡Ayuda! Help!
¡Socorro! Help! (in an emergency situation)
¡Cuidado! Caution, look out!
¿Cómo está? How are you? (formal)
¿Cómo estás? How are you? (informal)
(Muy) Bien. (Very) Well.
(Muy) Mal. (Very) Bad.
Gracias. Thank you.
Por favor. Please.
Buenos días. Good morning.
Buenas tardes. Good afternoon.
Buenas noches. Good evening.
Adios. Goodbye.
No entiendo. I don't understand.
¿Cómo se llama? What is your name? (formal)
¿Cómo te llamas? What is your name? (informal)
Me llamo... My name is...
Mucho gusto./Encantado. Nice to meet you.
¿De dónde es? Where are you from? (formal)
¿De dónde eres? Where are you from? (informal)
Soy de... I am from...
¿Qué hora es? What time is it?
¿Dónde está el hotel? Where is the hotel?
¿Dónde está un teléfono? Where is a telephone?
¿Dónde está el baño? Where is the restroom?
¿Cómo voy a...? How do I get to...?
¿Tiene usted...? Do you have...? (formal)
¿Tienes...? Do you have...? (informal)
¿Cuánto cuesta? How much is it?
Me gustaría... I'd like to order... (in a restaurant)
La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.
Soy vegetariano/a. I am a vegetarian.
¡Salud! Cheers!/Bless you! (after a sneeze)
¿Cómo se dice ____ en español? How do you say ______ in Spanish?
¡Vamos! Let's go!