From 23 to 27 March 2026, the Faculty of Philology, Translation and Communication hosted the BIP (Blended Intensive Programme) Spanish: Culture and Society, an international experience that combined academic training, cultural exchange, and immersive activities in the city of Valencia.
For five days, students and faculty members took part in an intensive programme focused on the Spanish language, literature, culture, and communication through dynamic methodologies and creative activities. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was welcoming and collaborative. The opening session was led by the Vice-Dean for Internationalisation, Enrique Cerezo, together with lecturers and professors from the faculty, who introduced the programme and welcomed the participants.
The academic sessions offered an innovative approach to learning Spanish and Hispanic culture. Some of the most notable activities included workshops on grammar and communication through Spanish pop music, analysis of comics as a universal language, literature and memory in the European context, as well as activities related to subtitling and colloquial Spanish in audiovisual fiction.
The programme also promoted a participatory and experiential approach to teaching. Activities such as “Pasapalabra: Valencia Edition,” the linguistic escape room, and theatre workshops inspired by the seventeenth century enabled participants to learn in a practical and entertaining way. In addition, students had the opportunity to engage with Spanish art and culture through sessions dedicated to Goya and Picasso, as well as audiovisual and literary creation.
Beyond the classroom, the BIP offered numerous opportunities to discover the city and interact with participants from different countries. The treasure hunt through Valencia’s historic centre was one of the first integration activities and allowed participants to explore some of the city’s most emblematic places. There were also cultural visits, such as the excursion to the San Pío V Museum, and gastronomic experiences as representative as tasting horchata with fartons.
One of the most special moments of the week was the visit to the Albufera, an emblematic natural setting near Valencia where participants enjoyed the sunset, nature, and Valencian traditions in a relaxed and multicultural atmosphere.
The BIP experience at the Facultat de Filologia, Traducció i Comunicació not only contributed to academic learning, but also fostered intercultural exchange, collaborative work, and the creation of bonds between students and lecturers from different European universities. It was an intense, enriching, and discovery-filled week that left a very positive impression on all participants.
Written testimony of a student
Thank you so much for the wonderful experience at the BIP. It made my first Erasmus unforgettable. I really enjoyed learning about Spain and Valencia through activities like oral expression and group work.
I loved discovering the culture, the food, and visiting different places.
I'm a little sad that it's over. I loved Valencia!
Thank you so much for everything!
Daniela Suhareva (University of Latvia)
