Universidad de Deusto (UD)

Same as you would at home, try to have a budget. Use the bus to the airport instead of taxis, use the metro instead of taxis; buy a 10 trip metro ticket instead of 10 singles. Take taxis with friends - good anyway for safety.

The year abroad was the major factor in my language learning which has lasted 9 years in total. The experience of going to a university where you could not avoid listening to 4 or 5 hours of spanish every day was invaluable to me and is what has made me fluent. Over the year communication became easier and I felt more and more confident as time went by.

Don't put too much emphasis on study so that it stops you from getting out there. Mixing with people and exploring your surrounding is also very important. Take a few trips out during the time you have, I went to Madrid, Salamanca and Barcelona and loved all three places. Had a great time! Oh, just beware of pickpockets. Sort out a doctor as soon as possible. You never know what can happen and getting to see someone when something does can involve a lot of waiting, i.e. days. Other than that, go for it! Enjoy yourselves and be safe!

Irish Stones pub is a favourite with Erasmus as a meeting point at the beginning of a night out. Cafe Boulevard was one of my favourites, Gallerias de Urquijo for nightlife was brilliant fun. Also Congreso, Conjunto clubs and Casco Viejo bars are great. Events; carnival around feb/march in Bilbao and surrounding area, San Fermin and the running of the bulls in summer, not to be missed. St Patrick's day was celebrated to the full in the Irish Stones. Also take a trip to the Guggenheim museum, interesting stuff there!

The accomodation was overall very good, it was clean, spacious and had various facilities such as free internet, tennis, basketball and football courts/pitch. It was fairly priced and everyone got along well together.