Academics, Modern Languages & Classics

They spent a semester at Siena studying the language and culture of the Basque Country of Spain, then they hopped on a plane to experience it all first hand.

"Culture Through Cuisine: Exploring the Basque Region in Northern Spain" was taught by Marcela Garces, Ph.D., associate professor of Spanish. When classes finished, she and 13 students flew to Bilbao to immerse themselves in the culture. A centerpiece of the eight-day trip was a visit to a txoko (CHO-ko), a members-only gastronomic society, which are a key part of Basque life. 

They also served at a soup kitchen, hiked a trail made famous as a filming location for “Game of Thrones,” visited a winery, shopped for delicacies, and toured famous sites.

Check out SpanishAtSiena on Instagram to see photos. 

Students stayed with host families so they could directly experience Basque home culture. Spanish only was spoken on the tours and at meals to enhance the immersive experience.

“The rhythm of life is very different there,” said Garces. “They enjoy food and wine at a slower pace, where conversation and camaraderie are as important as the meal.”

An example: many tourists to the region ask for their coffee to go. Here, there is no “to go.” You sit. You order your coffee. You stay and enjoy it.

What did some of the students think?

Gabrielle Pikoulas ’18, Psychology/Spanish

Looking back on my time at Siena as a recent graduate, I feel so incredibly lucky to have had opportunities to travel. I think anyone who has the opportunity to visit another country or experience another culture should absolutely do it -- I know I learned more about the world and more about myself by experiencing the culture first hand rather than just reading about it in textbooks. 

The Basque Country is world-renowned for its amazing cuisine. The Basques say, "Aquí, se come bien," which means, "Here, one eats well." Their determination to make delicious food with the freshest ingredients is more than just tradition; it's their way of life. 

What stands out to me the most about this trip was our experience in a txoko, or a Basque gastronomical society. They are private, and you have to know someone to get in -- so thanks to Dr. Garces, we had a once in a lifetime opportunity eating food prepared by proud Basque chefs and drinking wine local to the region. We had even helped pick out the fresh fish and vegetables that we ate in a beautiful market earlier in the day. My only complaint is that the trip didn't last longer!

Pamela Camargo ’18, Psychology

I’ve visited family before in Colombia, so I’ve experienced being in different Spanish speaking countries. Spain, however, was something completely different. The history and architecture are very memorable, and the food may have been some of the best food I’ve ever eaten! 

A memorable experience for me was visiting San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a small islet off the coast. It featured these beautiful stairs to walk up to, which was an intense hike. It’s a filming location for Dragonstone from “Game of Thrones,” which was totally amazing to see. 

Emmanuel Rosario ’18, Computer Science

I truly enjoyed this trip. It was so much fun and I’m looking forward to visiting Bilbao again! It’s a beautiful city in the mountains filled with vibrant culture, excellent food and great people.

A specific moment that was meaningful to me was when I first met my host mom. She made me feel right at home, which was a great start to a terrific experience. 

There was another special connection to the trip: Garces and her husband, filmmaker Yuri Morejon, wrote and directed the 2017 documentary “The Txoko Experience: The Secret Culinary Space of the Basques.” The 50-minute film, which has been screening on Iberia Airlines and elsewhere (check out the trailer) focuses on the txokos and interviews with Michelin-starred Basque chefs. Regional wines and food products are highlighted.