During their winter term studying abroad in Segovia, Spain, Proctor en Segovia students traveled to the Basque Country, an autonomous community (region) in northern Spain with a unique culture, language, and identity. From experiencing the abstract installations and the unique architecture of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to learning about the rich maritime history in San Sebastián, students immersed themselves in a region that defies common preconceptions of Spain. Read reflections from Amena '26, Maia '25, and Noah '26 about their four-day excursion to El País Vasco.
Amena '26 - Reflections on Basque Identity
The Basque country is not the image that comes to mind when one imagines quintessential Spain. Instead of the flamenco, orange trees, and hot sun of Sevilla, the Basque country is surrounded by tall, jagged mountains and is very prone to rain.
Geography and climate aside, what sets the Basque Country apart is its unique culture developed over thousands of years of geographical isolation. The Basque Country has its own language, Euskera, which is linguistically unrelated to any other European language. They also have their traditions passed down and refined from the Vascones, the pre-Roman tribe from which modern-day Basques claim their lineage. Basque people are neither French nor Spanish—they are wholly unique, which is the root of their long-held desire to gain independence.
Proctor en Segovia spent four days in the Basque Country. While we had little time to explore all that the Basque Country has to offer, we witnessed as much as we could of one of the richest cultures in Spain. It was on the high-speed rail to Bilbao that I first saw a traditional Basque house. Very recognizable in their antiquated construction, these houses are passed down from generation to generation within families, making them central to the Basque experience.
The Basques are equally dedicated to their gastronomic scene. Food in the Basque Country is only seasoned to enhance the flavor of its scrupulously fresh ingredients. Pintxos (not tapas) are central to a thriving social practice of stopping at one bar to the next, sampling Michelin star food, and washing it down with a glass of hard apple cider. On our way to sample pintxos or grab a bocadillo, we passed demonstrations bringing attention to various causes. The Basque people are well-known for their civic participation and are quick to support a cause they find worthy, partly because of their history of fighting for independence.
Most signs, banners, and graffiti are written in Euskera. In the street, Euskera is spoken by many and can be slightly jarring when juxtaposed with Spanish lyricism. Nonetheless, Euskera is the ultimate manifestation of Basque culture. Basque identity is inextricably linked to the language that sets them apart from their Spanish and French neighbors. Euskera is a direct link between the modern-day people of País Vasco and their ancestors—a link we have been lucky enough to participate in with a quick "eskerrik asko" on the way out the door.
Maia '25 - Visit to the Guggenheim in Bilbao
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao. I really enjoyed the style of art they had on display in this museum and how many of the exhibits were abstract. In my opinion, having a museum of this kind in Bilbao showcases the Basque's appreciation for differences and how they actively work to embrace this uniqueness. I found it extremely interesting that the museum had little to nothing to do with Basque culture or art. The only element I noticed that may have been representative of Basque history was the actual shape of the museum, which resembled a ship. In a place that is so proud of its culture, it is interesting that the largest museum in Bilbao has no exhibits about its rich culture.
Noah '26 - San Sebastián and the Basque Country's Maritime Heritage
San Sebastián is rich in Basque culture, amazing views, and places reflecting their history. One of my favorite places we visited was the Albaola Itsas Kultur Faktoria, which was filled with the maritime history of the Basque. The Albaola is more than just a museum. Even though it has history exhibits, it is also making history as you read this. Exploring this museum, Albaola immerses you in their whale hunting history and culture. The Basque culture revolves around the ocean, from seafood and beach life to fishing and boating history.
The museum has been working on building a replica of the Nao San Juan from scratch. Once finished, they plan to make the same voyage that the San Juan ship did hundreds of years ago. It has taken them 11 years to get to a stage where they are almost complete and ready to install the mast. They hope to finish it by 2025 and sail it around 2030. Seeing this gigantic ship was incredible. To think that ships like those sailed around the world to capture whales is unbelievable. We were lucky enough to meet the blacksmith responsible for fabricating all the metal handpieces of the ship in construction. To see him in his shop working on handmade pieces for the replica as they would have built in the past was inspiring.
There were also several exhibits, each unique and different from another. One of the exhibits had an array of pulleys simulating what it was like to haul up materials to the ship's deck. The other was to see what life was like at the time to be at sea. It showed a list of the food, drink, and medical supplies stored in many cargo ships before their voyage. It also showed the little boats used to hunt the whales. Basque sailors didn't hunt the whales off the main ship but had smaller boats - a fraction of the size of a whale - to hunt and harpoon the whales. This would result in success and money or death. As one can imagine, if you were not in control of the situation, a whale could easily capsize such a small boat.
The museum was such a wonderful experience that gave me a lot of knowledge about the Basque culture and history and unforgettable memories that I am grateful to have experienced.
View More Photos from Proctor en Segovia Winter 2025
- Off-Campus Program
- Proctor en Segovia