My Erasmus exchange journey to Spain: Settling in and exploring a new city.

Can't believe I only had a month left before leaving for my Erasmus exchange! The thought of moving to a different country made me a little anxious, but luckily, my future roommate in Granada and the people I was going to work with were incredibly supportive. Thanks to their advice and guidance, everything fell into place smoothly.

One piece of advice for anyone who's preparing for an Erasmus exchange is to look for local support groups on social media platforms like Facebook, Reddit, What's up discussions. These groups are usually run by students or expats and can be a lifesaver when it comes to finding a place to live, discovering the city, and making new friends. Trust me, it's worth it!

Before I knew it, I was on my way to Spain!

The first day was spent traveling, with a stopover in London, but finally I arrived in Granada.

On my second day, I met my new coworkers and supervisors at Biomimicry Granada. I can't express enough how grateful I am for Mat and Theresa's warm welcome to Granada and their introduction to their amazing organization. They run a small but active association focused on educating and finding sustainable solutions through the lens of biomimicry. Their passion for the environment and commitment to making a positive impact on the world was truly inspiring.

My first task was to get familiar with the city and capture some photos for future reference. It was an exciting but hectic first week in my new hometown. To help me settle in, they even gave me a Granada card which included tickets to many of the city's top tourist attractions.

Granada impressed me with its diverse offerings in a compact package, surrounded by the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountain range. The city is a peaceful hub that combines history, lively small tapas bars, and a buzzing heart in the city center. The hills of Granada are occupied by the neighborhood of Albazyn, which is known for its classical white architecture, breathtaking views of the city and the iconic Alhambra, one of Spain's most famous heritage sites.

Alhambra was originally built as a fortress in the 9th century and was later transformed into a palace in the 13th century by the Nasrid dynasty, who ruled over the last Muslim kingdom in Spain.

What's interesting about Granada is the feeling of a small town and a student city with a rich history, all in one compact area with a population of over 200,000 people. I was looking forward to exploring the city more and soaking up the unique atmosphere of this special place.