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.

Don't put so much emphasis on study that it stops you from getting out there. Mixing with local people and exploring your surrounding is also very important. Take a few trips out during the time that you have, I went to Madrid, Salamanca and Barcelona and loved all three places. I had a great time and would definitely go back! I will say that you have to be aware of pickpockets there but don’t let that spoil it. 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!

The year abroad was the major factor in my language learning which at that point had 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 made me fluent. Over the year communication became easier and I felt more and more confident as time went by.

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.

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, plenty of interesting things to see there!