My name is Kate Kelleher and I’m in my final year of Commerce International with Hispanic Studies at Cork University Business School (CUBS) here at Univeristy College Cork (UCC). As part of my degree, I was given the incredible opportunity to spend a year abroad on Erasmus in Bilbao, Spain. It was an experience that has had a lasting impact on both my personal and academic journey.
I spent my Erasmus year studying at the University of Deusto. Moving to a new country was both exciting and nerve-wracking, but the chance to immerse myself in a new culture, meet people from all over the world, and continue my studies in a completely different environment was a life-changing opportunity. My time in Bilbao allowed me to push beyond my comfort zone in ways I hadn’t expected. Whether it was navigating my new life in Spanish, adjusting to different academic expectations, or simply learning how to thrive in a new city, the challenges I faced turned out to be some of my greatest learning experiences to date.
Studying in a foreign language was initially intimidating, but as time went on, I gained confidence in my language skills. I found myself engaging more actively in classes, connecting with local students, and even taking on group projects and presentations. The support from lecturers and the international office at the University of Deusto was incredible, and they made it easy for us Erasmus students to feel included and supported in our learning.
The friendships I made during my Erasmus are undoubtedly one of the highlights of this experience. I met people from all walks of life—whether from my host country or fellow Erasmus students from all over Europe and beyond. I have no doubt that these friendships will continue for many years to come. This December twenty of my friends and I are even planning on reuniting for New Years up in Donegal.
Of course, it wasn’t all about academics—one of the most exciting parts of Erasmus
was travel. From weekend trips to major European cities to spontaneous adventures with friends, I was able to explore so many incredible places. During my year I traveled to Madrid, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Biarritz, Barcelona, Valencia, Porto and lastly my favorite – a three-day hiking holiday in the mountain range of Asturias. Every trip was a chance to learn more about the world and soak up new cultures.
Undoubtedly, I also was completely immersed in the unique culture of the Basque country that makes it so distinct from the rest of Spain, between learning the language, experiencing their festivals and even being there when Athletic Bilbao's soccer team won the Copa del Rey for the first time in 40 years. The celebrations went on for two weeks!
I’d highly recommend an Erasmus year to anyone considering it. It’s an experience that goes far beyond improving your language skills or adding to your academic CV—it’s about personal growth, gaining independence, and making memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. My best piece of advice is to embrace every opportunity, whether it’s joining a local club, trying something you’ve never done before, or simply saying yes to new experiences. My friends and I found the local GAA team over in Bilbao. They had practice once a week. It was a fantastic way to make even more friends outside of the University.
The support I received from CUBS and UCC throughout my Erasmus year was invaluable. Knowing that I had a strong support system back home made all the difference, especially during the early days when everything felt a little overwhelming. Whether it was help with course selections or simply checking in to see how things were going, I always felt like I had someone looking out for me.
To anyone thinking about Erasmus, my advice is simple: go for it. It will challenge you in ways you never expected, but the rewards are endless. You’ll come back with a deeper understanding of the world, new skills, lifelong friends, and a trove of memories that will stay with you forever
Eskerrik asko Bilbao! (Thank you Bilbao!)
To learn more about Commerce International at Cork University Business School (CUBS) at University College Cork (UCC), check out the full programme page here.