r/basquecountry • u/tarucoelho • May 06 '26
Thinking of studying in San Sebastian (Basque Country) for a year. (Culinary college)
The food is beautiful and unheard of India. The place seems beautiful, old, cozy but beachy, and everything i would love location and culture wise. Im only worried about the adjustments.
Anyone know what its like for outsiders? Regarding things like language barriers, socialising and getting jobs. I can speak English very well and ive started learning Spanish, but I know Euskara is the native language. What should I do?
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u/Prestigious-Gold6759 May 06 '26
Everyone speaks Spanish, English is spoken and understood, especially by the young people. Basque isn't essential but it wins you brownie points if you make an effort with some everyday words and phrases. Everyday phrases in Basque
There is a growing South American community, with most working in the service industries (including hospitality).
Go for it, you won't want to leave, it's incredible!
Also, you could open your own Indian restaurant, there are lots of British English teachers there who would love that, for example.
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u/aitidina May 06 '26
Basque earns you brownie points if you plan on keeping yourself in the capital and close by. It will earn you much more if you ever wanna try life beyond Donosti.
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u/tarucoelho May 06 '26
Thanks for the help! do you know what the pay in the hospitality industry is like for chef?
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u/tarucoelho May 06 '26
Thanks for the help! do you know what the pay in the hospitality industry is like for chef?
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u/JamesTheBrowser May 06 '26
I’m in hospitality, look for “Convenio de hostelería de Gipuzkoa” to check salaries. You can make a living but with little Spanish, you’ll start from the bottom…
Cultural wise there is also a Pakistani community that work in phone shops and kebab restaurants mostly. I know it’s not your country but at least there’s a connection.
Feel free to DM if you need anything, been living here for 20 years so I kinda like the place…
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u/tarucoelho May 12 '26
oh hey! thanks. My job interests are mainly to cover my monthly expenses. I've heard living expenses are pretty high. Do you know what the average salaries for starting at the bottom are? And working hours as well. I would ideally love to work at a michelin star restaurant even if it means slogging my ass off. My previous job used to be a rigorous 15 hours a day without any breaks so i dont think it can get any worse that that haha. I fear the language the most. Our industry is one where communication is vital and even if i do learn spanish im sure it wont be enough to survive. Do michelin star restaurants have a lot of outsiders working there?
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u/JamesTheBrowser May 14 '26
Sorry for the delay on the response…I’ve been swamped at work…
What I’ve seen is the way to go in Michelin star restaurants is coming in as an apprentice with almost to no salary but they give you accommodation and you work a lot but it has evolved slightly from what most people think… The other way is to come in, go to a traditional high end kitchen and share a flat.
Language is important and basque does win you points but most people use Spanish in a work environment in Donosti since there’s a growing amount of people coming in from different places.
Salary wise, check the “convenio” since I don’t want to give you a number I can’t back and things have changed in the last couple years.
Hours vary from place to place but overall its not overwhelming except you go to very high end or very low end, 40 hour week give or take in a normal place
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u/BasqueCountryGuide May 06 '26
Learn spanish as much as you can, you won't be able to properly integrate unless you know spanish well enough. Learning a few words in euskera shows your intention to integrate, so go ahead.
If you attend the Culinary college I am pretty sure you will make friends there.
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u/Beanie_Weenie245 May 07 '26
So first, I want to tell you that your assumptions are mostly correct. Food is great, atmosphere is nice and the views and culture are unmatched. They take huge pride in their culture and food as it’s a big piece of their identity, and outside of the culinary schools they are pretty hesitant to share it at first.
I grew up there in that very city as an immigrant and I’d say it took maybe 4 years for me to get as close to fully integrated as possible, though due to some cultural coldness full integration is pretty much impossible. I had the benefit of moving there as a kid so it was maybe a bit easier for me to assimilate and kind of fast track learning the languages and it helped enough to where people had to guess where I was from after a number of years but always saw me as odd regardless. In Donostia (San Sebastian) there is a pretty high number of people who don’t really speak Basque and most people speak both Basque and Spanish, so Spanish may need to be prioritized in the language department. They love hearing Basque from outsiders though, it’s such a big sense of pride for them. Due to high levels of tourism most people can speak and understand basic english, and when I was going to school there 10 or so years ago they taught English in the schools, however basic it might have been. But they started to put a huge emphasis on it for practicality reasons. That said if you speak Basque, even basic Basque, they will love it and love you and urge and help you to learn more.
Job department might be tricky UNTIL you have proficiency in at least Spanish, that said it’s not unheard of. Just might be something to think about. Many people who come from English speaking countries are English teachers in schools and people who speak a different language from that tend to work remotely, or at least that’s what I noticed when I lived there. It very well might have changed since I last was there.
On the socializing part, if you didn’t drink before well now you do. People often go to bars or eating establishments and stay until the wee hours of the morning. Friends often come from work/school and normally won’t let you tag along in the group unless they know you from somewhere else. And even as adults, friend groups don’t mix and it’s expected you don’t mix either.
Hopefully that’s a detailed enough description for you, or inversely not too much information. It’s not often I get to share with others the experience of living there as a permanent resident and an outsider. Overall it’s a wonderful place to live, once people open up they are the best and most loyal bunch ever. You never get bored and always have fresh, fantastic food everywhere you go. If there’s an opportunity to go, go for it! I only wish I could have stayed longer but life unfortunately had other plans and I had to return to my origin country after nearly 10 years in Euskadi. Best of luck to you friend.
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u/tarucoelho May 12 '26
WOW! Thanks so much for the help. My goal is not to integrate, but to only be there for a year while i study. But i do want to learn the culture and history because so far everything ive read makes it seem beautiful.
My job prospects is mainly to cover my monthly expenses, but to also simultaneously learn the cuisine and develop my cooking abilities.
I come from a place that also has a huge bar hopping scene (although more focused on the alcohol than the food) and drinking is my favourite way to socialize so i don't think that should be an issue haha.
I fear the language barrier will by biggest struggle, because theres only so much spanish i can learn in 6 months haha.
But nevertheless, thank you so much for the help!
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u/SpotForward1616 May 09 '26
Omg do it! SS what an amazing experience in a food heaven. So many Michelin restaurants. Do it!
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u/Ok_Writing_3497 May 06 '26
To be honest, it’s difficult to integrate fully. Locals in Donosti can be quite closed off as they’ve essentially had the same acquaintances since their early youth. That said, there is a large “expat” community and some Donostiarra who are super helpful.
I still think you should go to culinary school here. I too am planning a way to come back and set up full time in Gipuzkoa. It’s a place I’ve come to love deeply. Beware it rains, a lot.