When I arrived at StepHouse at the beginning of the academic year, I was just looking for a modern student residence, close to university, with a good vibe and without having to fight over the washing machines. A place to sleep well, study comfortably, and that was it. I wasn’t expecting anything else.

But somehow… without planning it, things started to surprise me.

I arrived knowing absolutely no one, and within two days I already had a group to eat with, study with, laugh with, and complain about professors when they assign a million deadlines. Everything felt natural, with no forced conversations or that awkward “I need to fit in” mindset.

For me, that’s what really matters in student residence life: feeling comfortable without pretending to be someone you’re not.

The craziest part is that, without realizing it, I started improving in things I didn’t even know were important: communicating better, organizing myself without stressing out, working with other residents without wanting to disappear.

Without actively trying, my soft skills at university went into full upgrade mode.

The cooking sessions at the Txoko are some of my favorite moments. I used to survive on pasta and sandwiches, and now I cook things I can’t even believe I’m capable of.

But the best part isn’t the food — it’s the atmosphere. Everyone creating chaos together, laughing when things go wrong, organizing ourselves so nothing burns down… and without noticing, you’re becoming more responsible, more communicative, and more of a leader.

That’s what living in a student residence with activities should really feel like.

At first, I thought the workshops would be boring… but not at all. They push you out of your comfort zone in a very chill way. You leave thinking, “Maybe I’m capable of more than I thought.”

The talks are also a highlight. You meet people from all over the world, hear about different cultures, mindsets, and life experiences. Without even trying, you become more open-minded, more empathetic, and much better at communicating with different people.

And then there are the Thinkinglabs talks — pure mental gym. You learn how to think better, analyze things, question what you hear, and truly listen. You leave feeling like your brain just did a full workout.

Honestly, I used to think a student residence was just a place to sleep and study. But StepHouse is worth it: you grow, connect, and prepare for real life without even realizing it.

It’s not just a nice room or a place to get through university.

If you’re looking for a student residence and feeling overwhelmed because you don’t know where to go, I’ll just say this:
you don’t come here just to survive university — you actually live it.

And honestly, that’s worth way more than a pretty room for Instagram.