Universidad del Pais Vasco

What you see in the slideshow below is my univeristy, the Universidad del Pais Vasco (UPV/EHU - EHU is the abbreviation for the name in Basque). It's different from the University of Saskatchewan as it is divided in to three separate campuses. I'm at the campus in Leioa which is dedicated to sciences and professional colleges; dentistry, medicine, nursing, law, geography, biology, physics, all forms of chemistry, and of course chemical engineering. However, Chemical Engineering is the only type of engineering at the Leioa campus, as it is considered more an industrial chemistry in Spain. All other engineering departments are located at the campus in San Mames. This makes Chemical Engineering in Spain much less infested with guys. There are approximately twenty grad students in Chemical Engineering/Industrial Chemistry and only 3 of them are male.  It's SUCH a nice change. 

In Leioa, Chemical Engineering is located in the Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnologia (Faculty of Science and Technology) which you can see in the slideshow. It's a very new campus, built in the 1960's and the chemical engineering wing is even newer. The lab is very nice, and everything is well organized. I enjoy both the lab and the people I share it with! My profesor, Jose Maria Arandes is very kind and helpful. He always has a smile on his face and an open door. Also, another professor in the department, Roberto Aguado, has offered me rides to and from the UPV/EHU. He has the most adorable little girl (the youngest of three) who rides with us in the morning to go to daycare and she has taught me my first Basque words. She's not even two. Roberto and his family have been wonderful at making me feel very welcome.  

Behind the Faculty there are beautiful paths to walk along to go down to the river. (Leioa is on the edge of the metropolis, and when approaching the campus everything seems to spread out and look more like countryside than city). At the bottom of one of the paths, there is the 'Forest of Life' which consists of an iron tree. In this iron tree, are the cremated remains of all the people who donated their bodies to the Faculty of Medicine. Those who gave their body to create life. Hence, the name forest of life. I thought it was a really interesting concept. (See the pictures below in the slideshow).

The division of the University isn't the only difference. The UPV is much less commercial. There is only one large hall that serves food, and only at lunch time (1-3 pm). The hall is always packed because it serves the entire campus, however, the meals are always delicious! Also, there are no shops on campus to buy stationary, text books, or that stick of deodorant you need because you forgot to put on deodorant that morning.  You have to go to Duesto or Bilbao for text books, lab coats, etc.  You can also choose what language to take your classes in; Basque or Spanish.  English isn't an option, but you are expected to be able to present in English as a grad student. There are many differences at the UPV/EHU, but there are many aspects that remind me of home (the paths along the river, for one).  I really enjoy being there, and couldn't ask for a nicer group of people to work with.

Hasta la proximá vez,

Kathlene