Studying abroad is more than just an academic opportunity—it’s a chance to experience new cultures, forge international friendships, and step outside your comfort zone. For Lars, a third-semester EuroMPM master student, the decision to spend a semester abroad at EHU/UPV in Bilbao as part of the Double Degree Program was an easy one.
Having previously studied abroad during his Bachelor’s, Lars knew he wanted to seize the opportunity again in his Master’s program—this time with the added advantage of earning a double degree. He considered both Riga and Bilbao, but chose Bilbao because of its nice climate, vibrant atmosphere and his basic language skills in Spanish, which he hoped to improve. The city’s coastal location, renowned cuisine, and rich cultural scene made it an even more appealing destination for his semester abroad.
The part-time Master’s in Project Management involved weekend lectures, group assignments, and a project thesis, leaving ample time to explore. Living with Spanish roommates was challenging due to language barriers, but student networks like ESN and Happy Erasmus helped him make international friends and participate in activities. With over 1,000 Erasmus students in Bilbao, there was a large international student community, and events such as trips to other cities, game nights, beach activities, and weekly parties were organized almost daily. Lars and his friends also planned private activities like beach days, football matches, and weekend trips to Madrid and Valencia.
Lars describes his semester in Bilbao as an enriching journey, offering academic growth, cultural immersion, and new friendships—an experience he highly recommends to other students.
“The semester abroad in Bilbao was a unique experience that I would repeat at any time. In addition to new educational content, living in a foreign country and making international contacts and friends is a very valuable life experience that I would recommend to other students at any time.”
We wish Lars good luck for his last semester, where he is finishing the Double Degree Master Program in Project Management, and of course, we hope to see him as an alumnus in our community again.
