About Us

1. What were your expectations of Pamplona before arriving, and how does your experience compare to them?
Before arriving, my knowledge of Pamplona was pretty limited. I mainly knew it from the Running of the Bulls, and beyond that, I didn’t really know much about the city. I even had to check a map to see exactly where it was located, haha! In the end, Pamplona has turned out to be a perfect spot for a semester abroad. The city is very manageable and charming, which makes getting around really easy, and it has a very welcoming atmosphere. One thing that really surprised me was just how many international students are here, it makes the experience even more interesting and fun. The city is compact and easy to navigate, and I was actually surprised at how quickly I learned my way around.

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2. How easy was it for you to meet people when you first arrived? Did you know anyone beforehand?
When I first arrived, I came together with one friend from the Netherlands, so I wasn’t completely alone, but besides that, I didn’t know anyone. On the welcoming day, I met some other Dutch students, and from the third day onwards, they became my main friends. Since then, I’ve also gotten along well with people from other countries. I often see them around campus or in the city center, which is easy because Pamplona is a relatively small and manageable city.

Another great way to meet people has been through the various organizations that arrange activities for exchange students. They host all sorts of events every week from weekend trips and parties to sports activities and international dinners. Joining these activities was definitely a fun and easy way to build a bigger social circle in a completely new city.

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3. Did it take long before you felt comfortable and settled here?
It didn’t take long before I started feeling comfortable and settled. One reason is that I came and lived with someone I already knew, which made the first days much easier. It also helped that I made a lot of friends on the welcoming day itself, so I didn’t feel alone. Of course, I missed parts of home, my family, and friends at first, but nowadays it’s really easy to stay in touch. Overall, it wasn’t hard to settle in because I was really enjoying discovering everything Pamplona has to offer.

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4. How are you enjoying Spanish life and culture? What has surprised you the most?
I’m really enjoying the Spanish lifestyle. Everything here is a bit later than in the Netherlands lectures can go until 7:30 pm, and dinner is usually later too. One thing that really surprised me is how everyone goes out on Thursdays, from locals to students it’s like the whole city is out having a good time. I’ve even started taking the classic siesta sometimes, which is honestly really nice.

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5. What is your highlight of your time in Pamplona so far?
My highlight so far is definitely the trip to Morocco. Experiencing such an incredible journey with people I’ve only known for a few months was amazing—it truly feels like we’ve known each other much longer. It was also great to connect with exchange students from other Spanish cities, which added so much to the overall experience and made it even more special.

On top of that, I really enjoy all the Thursdays here. Even though it has become a bit colder and the streets are less crowded, there’s still plenty of atmosphere in the city. Everyone comes together, chatting and laughing with their friends, and it always feels warm and lively.