Details

• Spain
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Start studying Spanish, get some information about local culture. Start doing some research on the courses that you can take there and make a plan A and B for when the course applications open. I travelled to Pamplona by flying from Vienna to Barcelona and taking the direct train from there. If there is a flight to Bilbao, this would probably be your easiest option.

2. Accommodation

I booked a room in a shared apartment through UniCasa because it was cheaper than Campushome. The communication was poor; for instance, I didn't receive a booking confirmation, pictures, or the address until a few days before I arrived (despite requesting them earlier). However, once I arrived, everything was fine, and they were helpful and easy to reach. My apartment was located in the Iturrama neighborhood, just a 5-minute walk from the university. During my stay in Pamplona I walked everywhere by foot (also at night) and I never felt unsafe!

3. Academic life at host university

Campus Facilities: The university is very modern and well-equipped. The campus is beautiful with a lot of green spaces, trees, and shade, making it a great place to relax or do sports (there is a gym, a sports field, and it is good for running). The library and other buildings offer plenty of study spaces, which can also be reserved. Every building has a cafeteria, vending machines with affordable prices, and microwaves for students to use. Academic Culture: Since it is a private university, the communication and atmosphere are more personal than at WU Vienna, and the class sizes are somewhat smaller. For most courses, attendance is not strictly checked if you miss a few times. However, I still recommend going to class because professors often discuss exam-relevant details or examples that are not uploaded online. Course Recommendations: - Spanish Course: Definitely take this. It is very important for everyday life in Pamplona. - Digital Business: Interesting content and requires little effort. - Principles of Business Administration: Very basic and easy to pass. - Marketing: Interesting, but more time-consuming with a lot of project work.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public Transport: Pamplona is very walkable, so I rarely needed the bus. However, there is a good bus system, including night buses on weekends. I highly recommend buying a reloadable bus card at a tobacco shop - using it reduces the fare by more than half compared to paying by credit card on the bus. If you ever feel unsafe or have a long walk ahead of you, Bolt taxis are available and very affordable. Safety: I felt safe at all times, especially in the student neighborhood of Iturrama and the old town. There is almost always something going on, regardless of the day or time, and the streets are never completely empty, especially on weekends. Everyday Life: Daily life is very relaxed. University courses last 1.5 hours, followed by a 30-minute break before the next class. This schedule is great for grabbing a coffee at the cafeteria or relaxing in the campus park. There are also plenty of cafes and bars nearby for studying or hanging out after class. The only thing that takes some getting used to is that most local shops and businesses close in the afternoon for siesta. Shopping: Eating out, coffee, and nightlife are significantly cheaper than in Vienna, which allowed us to go out much more often without spending too much money. The best and most affordable supermarket is Mercadona. It takes a couple of weeks to adapt to Spanish stores, but you quickly figure out where to find everything. On weekends, there are also local markets with cheap vegetables and regional products. Leisure: The university offers several sports clubs and activities that you can join for free or very little money, including hiking trips. For its size, Pamplona hosts a surprising number of events, parties, and cultural festivals - especially as the weather gets warmer. At least one club is open every night of the week, and there are bars all over the city. A major highlight is Calle Estafeta in the old town; we went there every Thursday for Juevintxo, which is a popular student tradition where you meet everyone. Additionally, you can easily reach many beautiful surrounding cities within a 1-to-2-hour bus or train, so you will definitely never get bored.

6. Testimonial

Although Pamplona wasn't my first choice and I initially preferred a big city, in retrospect, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. The city’s walkability, the relaxed lifestyle, and the big student community made it incredibly easy to make friends from all over the world and immerse myself in the local culture and language. Pamplona quickly felt like a second home, and returning here after traveling always felt comforting. I would highly recommend Pamplona to anyone - it is a city full of culture, nature, events, and unforgettable traditions like Juevintxos.