In addition to being the name of a hobbit in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic Lord of the Rings trilogies, Bilbao is also the Basque spelling of a mountainous city on the Nervión River in the north of Spain. Bilbao's natural beauty, unique Basque culture, and educational opportunities make it an enticing location for those yearning to study abroad.

Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country, an area within Spain where the inhabitants speak the unique language of Basque. With numerous construction companies and commercial conglomerates like Agroman and Eroski, as well as international finance firms such as Bbva, Bilbao is one of the most economically and industrially active cities in this area. Economic and business majors will find abundant opportunities should they choose to spend a summer, semester or year in Bilbao.

With its suburbs stretching to the Bay of Biscay - the gulf of the North Atlantic Ocean, this major seaport offers a sprawling urban feel within a classic setting. The city is surrounded by two mountain ranges - Pagasarri to the south and Artxanda to the north - giving it the nickname el botxo, meaning "the hole." This combination of water and mountains offers students 360-degree views of nature's beauty, while the impressive skyline and large population (350,000 in the city, 940,000 in the Greater Bilbao Basque area) can give the city an urban Madrid-like feel. Unlike Madrid, however, Bilbao boasts weather that is almost always mild, with some snow and extreme heat appearing only one or two days each year.

Students studying in Bilbao will have the unique opportunity to study both Basque and Spanish. While Spanish is, of course, one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, the Basque language is a central part of Bilbao's identity and a unique part of Spain's culture.

A City on the Rise
As Bilbao is in the midst of massive urban renewal, now is the perfect time to study abroad there. Old buildings are being restored and new architectural masterpieces are being built. In fact, the opening to the James Bond film The World is Not Enough was shot in Bilbao in 1999. In an attempt to move away from its long industrial past and expand tourism, Bilbao has invested in world-class museums such as the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, a public transportation similar to France's Metro system and an expanded port area offering top-notch shopping and dining. The Fine Arts Museum has also recently been refurbished, sustaining its legacy as one of Spain's most popular and important art galleries.

A City Rich in History
The city was first founded by Don Diego Lopez de Haro V, the Lord of the Greater Bilbao area, back when it was called Biscay in the year 1300. The city started with three streets, all running parallel to each other, and quickly grew into seven, none of them crisscrossing. Then, in 1511, the city became the main port for exporting merino wool, considered the finest and softest wool of any sheep.

During the Spanish Empire, the port helped Bilbao become the most important financial hub for the north coast of Spain. Extensive iron resources were soon discovered in the city's mountain ranges, helping propel it to the forefront of the 19th century's industrial revolution. Not surprisingly, Bilbao was the richest city in Spain through the beginning of the 20th century.

A City of Educators
In 1889, the Society of Jesus founded the University of Deusto, considered today to be one of the most distinguished academic institutions in Spain. Its business school was the first of its kind in the entire country, and remained that way for almost 50 years. The school is located in a lush park opposite the Guggenheim Museum, and graduates have ranged from the popular writer Espido Freire to Joaquín Almunia, the former Secretary General of the Partido Socialista Obrero Español and the current European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs.

A City for You
With its history full of commerce and industry and its present full of innovation and expansion, Bilbao offers many opportunities for study abroad students. For one thing, students have the unique opportunity to learn both Spanish and Basque. In addition, Bilbao has one of the most famous schools and one of the most famous art museums in all of Spain. It is also situated in northern Spain, making it easy for students to access other parts of Europe. Students who choose to spend a semester in Bilbao will not be disappointed.

Resources -

Tourist Office of Spain: http://www.okspain.org
Tourism: http://www.bilbao.world-guides.com
Official Bilbao Web site: http://www.bilbao.net/nuevobilbao/jsp/bilbao/homeModulos.jsp?idioma=I&color=rojo
Bilbao University of Duesto: http://bilbao.university-guides.com
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: http://www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program: http://www.iie.org/NSEP