The Iberian experience
A cultural adventure around Europe’s largest peninsula
Studying in a foreign country has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. Four years ago, I moved to Spain from the Philippines. I was surrounded by completely new faces and thrown into an entirely different culture. I would be lying if I said the adjustment was easy. Spain’s lifestyle was far more laidback than I initially imagined, but I’ve really come to appreciate how it prioritizes family and friendships. Right off the plane, I moved to a small city on the Mediterranean coast called Marbella. Situated right between mountains and the Mediterranean, this paradise is filled with rigorous hikes and relaxing beaches. My most memorable adventure was exploring the hidden rivers of Benahavis. I’ll never forget the energy of the flowing river, and I couldn’t help but think of the song “River Flows in You” by Yiruma. With just a small group of friends by my side, I felt ready to take on any outdoor adventure. The time to travel was limited though, since I quickly jumped into my studies at Les Roches School of Global Hospitality.
My most personal trip was to Pamplona in northern Spain. I visited my sister while she was finishing her studies at the Universidad de Navarra. Spending so much of my life away from home was exceptionally difficult. I was so used to growing up with a family full of siblings and a seemingly endless number of relatives. Seeing my sister again made me feel at home. As we explored countless castles, chapels, and forests across her university campus, my home sickness vanished.
Just a stone’s throw away from Pamplona is the city of Bilbao, which is lively all through the year and filled with a large population of young and adventurous people. My personal favorite place to visit there is the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which boasts a diversity of beautiful artworks. The architecture of the city is modern and starkly contrasts with the ancient monuments I’m so used to seeing across southern Spain. This dichotomy from city to city is what makes exploring Spain so exciting.
While Bilbao flaunts its modernity, southern Spain visibly embodies thousands of years of history. This region has shifted hands from the Carthaginians to the Romans to the Visigoths to Moors, and then finally the Christians. It is one of the only places in the world where so many distinct cultures have collided. The most iconic city in the region, and a personal favorite, is Sevilla. This city has appeared in movies such as Star Wars and TV series like Game
of Thrones. As a huge fan of Game of
Thrones, I decided to make the Real Alcazar de Sevilla the first stop during my visit. Trust me when I say that you will feel like you’re living in Westeros.
I may sound biased toward southern Spain—who am I kidding, of course I am—but the weather is also impeccable. And what better way to enjoy a perfect Mediterranean climate than long days at the beach!