Bilbao is a less crowded Erasmus destination than Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, but much appreciated by those who have been: the city is safe, clean and well connected, quality of life is high and social life intense. For general information see Erasmus in Spain.
Universities
- University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), the Basque public university, with the large Leioa campus, outside the city and reached by metro, and faculties in central Bilbao, such as Economics at Sarriko and the School of Engineering.
- University of Deusto, a private Jesuit university founded in 1886, with its historic building on the ría opposite the Guggenheim, prestigious for economics, law and social sciences.
- Mondragon Unibertsitatea and other schools nearby.
Language
In the Basque Country the university teaches in Castilian and Euskera, the Basque language (see Spain's languages); many programmes also offer courses in English. Check the teaching language carefully before preparing your Learning Agreement. Learning a few words of Basque, such as kaixo (hello) and eskerrik asko (thank you), is much appreciated.
Housing and costs
Rents are above the Spanish average but lower than Madrid and Barcelona: a room in a shared flat costs roughly 350-500 euros a month. Favourite areas are the Casco Viejo, Abando, Indautxu and Deusto, and for Leioa students areas on the metro. Budget 800-1,100 euros a month (see the cost of living).
Climate and transport
Bilbao is green because it rains often, especially in autumn and winter: bring a good raincoat. Norman Foster's metro, the tram, Bilbobus and trains link the city with the beaches of Getxo and Sopelana, popular with surfers, and the coast. The Barik transport card offers reduced fares for young people.
Student life
Social life revolves around pintxos and poteo in the Casco Viejo, Plaza Nueva and Indautxu, concerts and festivals such as August's Aste Nagusia. ESN organises events and trips. At weekends you can easily visit San Sebastián, Vitoria, Santander, Logroño and the Pyrenees, and in summer head to the beach. See also the Basque Country.