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When I walk to campus on a normal day, I often think about how wonderful it would be to be an exchange student somewhere as wonderful as Pamplona. 

 

In general, university students eligible for their international exchange program are honestly so lucky. It’s an opportunity for dreams to come true, for lives to change and for one’s experience to prosper, all in the name of education and the prominent Erasmus+ program. It’s another interesting way to leave one's bubble, and discover something outside of themselves while exploring what is within.

 

At the same time, Pamplona is a city brimming with many of these exchange students, all looking to enjoy this pocket of a time in their lives. From the winding roads of the Casco Viejo, to the rippling hills that snake around the city itself, it seems that from September to June, the city comes alive with all these people in their youth, seeking adventure. It not only offers excitement in itself, but serves as a sort of connector to different destinations as well, prompting one to explore.

 

The two prominent universities located in the city attract so many of these souls, as they both offer upstanding programs that have catered to hundreds of students prior. Personally, getting to meet the variety of people the program brings to this beautiful city, it’s one of the most exciting parts about being a student of the University of Navarra.  

 

I arrived in Pamplona as an international student in 2024, eager to discover what lies ahead of me. For the entire year, I had lived with two sets of exchange students that changed per semester, and really there was no better way to start a new beginning. Meeting people that are at this time, at this place, and in this headspace, made me see that the world is so much bigger than it seemed, especially compared to where we start. I remembered being fascinated by how willing they all were to explore and how much time they could put into it. There were so many times where I was alone in our apartment, as they ran around the streets of Pamplona, or sometimes out of it. They excitedly pursued this life to be lived as someone who is there for only a moment. 

 

From this, I realised that there is a difference between an international student on exchange, and an international student who is studying here long term. I learned that as I quietly noticed the little nuances that separated me from them. One could see there was a difference in the time spent living in Pamplona, where they are in life, and generally, the reason why they’re in the city. It affected the choices they made, the things they did, how seriously they took their classes, etc. The driving force of those in exchange is the urge to live as much life as they can wherever they are and with the time they are given, doing as many things as possible. 

 

As someone who has observed and befriended many exchange students in Pamplona, I would say that my general impression of them is how willing they are to welcome the unknown. There is a certain lightness in their step, a gleam in their eyes, as they excitedly research what they could do with their time here. It is also brave, as it is not easy to start somewhere new with an obvious and rearing end and get used to people so vastly different from what they are familiar with. 

 

In the last year, one of my most favorite people I’ve met was one of my roommates, who was fearless as she was kind, taking on Europe from somewhere so far as Hong Kong, as if it was nothing. Although obviously, not all exchange students would be as adventurous and extroverted as her, she showed me that the opportunity this exchange program gives is an outlet to actually practice life and see where that takes you.

 

With all this being said, Pamplona is truly a wonderful place to be in for so many reasons, especially for all exchange students alike. Because this city has a perfect balance of adventure and peace, it grows on you and it changes you, becoming a truly great candidate for your time abroad. As a student and foreigner of the city, I find it so fascinating to watch this many people standing on the precipice of change, and the sad yet real thing is, they all leave after the semester ends. It’s an incredible encounter, making me realize that when things are fleeting, we have to make the most of it. I can’t help but sometimes wish that I was on exchange here too, feeling, discovering, and chasing like the rest of them.