Much more than a place to live: Olarain’s personal and academic growth projects
For many young people, living in student accomodation is, for many young people, one of the most intense and enriching stages of their lives. More than just a place to sleep or study, the college or university residence becomes a space for meeting others, growthing and personal discovery. Sometimes, it’s their first time living away from home, and although they come to Donostia with the idea of focusing on their academic development, they’re also looking for a place to enjoy and feel like part of a family.
If you’re looking for accommodation for the upcoming academic year in Donostia, this is for you.
At Olarain, we see this key stage as a unique opportunity to support you and become a safe, welcoming space where you feel valued and heard. Beyond offering housing and meals, we want to be your travel companions.
And we turned this conviction into action at Olarain.
Commitment and action for personal and academic growth
Our commitment goes a little further: we offer not only a place to live, but also personalized and comprehensive care, academic and emotional support, and a space to look to the future and engage with the world. We don’t just provide a place to live, we offer close, personalized support, academic and emotional follow-up, and a space to look to the future and engage with the world.
That’s why we run a series of projects for the young people staying at Olarain, initiatives that foster personal growth, well-being and community life, prepare you for your professional future, and promote social and environmental awareness.
An intergenerational globally-minded accommodation
At Olarain, we have been welcoming and supporting students, high-performance athletes, professionals from the educational and business world, and people visiting Donostia – San Sebastián, for 25 years.
One of our greatest strengths is our diversity; we are a place where people of different cultures, backgrounds, and ages live together. Being an intergenerational, globally-minded
accommodation is something that defines us and helps us grow every day. We always maintain our essence: hospitality and the warmth of home.
From that closeness, and the desire to accompany young people in their personal and academic transformation during your stay, we develop four groups of activities: Olarain Care, Olarain Explore, Olarain Impact and Olarain Nature, four programs that reflect our commitment to well-being, professional growth, social commitment and care for our planet.
Olarain Care.
“Your well-being matters to us.”
We work to ensure that each person finds not only a place to live, but also a place to grow, take care of themselves, and feel supported.
We know this stage comes with challenges: stress, emotional changes, academic pressure… That’s why we offer holistic, personalized support, covering everything from academic guidance to emotional well-being.
One of the things you value most when you arrive at Olarain is that you feel cared for. You know that any problem, question, or need—academic or personal—will be handled with empathy and attention. That peace of mind is one of the pillars of our community.
Through Olarain Care we promote programs and activities focused on personal well-being and community life: from transformative talks on mental health to sports, mindful nutrition, and emotional development activities, we create an environment where emotional and physical balance is a shared priority.
Its main focuses include sports, as a way to keep the body and mind in shape; nutrition, with talks, workshops, and balanced menus; and psychological support, providing a safe and accessible space for anyone who needs it.
We promote healthy living dynamics that strengthen bonds between residents and help resolve conflicts with empathy and respect. The emotional and physical balance of our residents is a priority for our team. Self-care, and caring for others, is part of our culture.
➔ Sports | Psychological Support | Nutrition
Olarain is more than just a place to live. It’s a space to grow together, where the well-being of our residents is our top priority.
Olarain Explore.
“Explore your possibilities and start building your future today.”
University life isn’t just about studying; it’s also a time of preparation for what’s next and a laboratory for ideas, dreams, and decisions. With the Olarain Explore program, we help you connect your vocation with the professional world.
We offer real opportunities: company visits, meetings with professionals, work experiences, and talent and guidance workshops.This allows you to discover what you’re passionate about, what skills you have, and what paths you want to pursue.
In addition to bringing you closer to the job market, we help you recognize your potential, develop soft skills, and even expand your network.
➔ Company visits | Work experience | Orientation and talent
We promote activities that connect our students with their professional development and future goals.
Olarain Impact.
“Do something transcendent. Be part of the change.”
At Olarain, we believe that comprehensive education also includes a focus on others. From this corner of San Sebastián, we want to do our part to build a more just society, and we do so through projects that connect our residents with realities different from their own.
En Olarain Impact, We collaborate with social entities, promote solidarity activities, awareness campaigns, and agreements with third-sector organizations.Here, every gesture, no matter how small, counts. And the most valuable thing is that our residents get involved, learn, and transform.
Some of the projects and organizations we’ve worked with include: Youth empowerment program of the NGO Yuwa India, Biziraun association, Women for Africa Foundation, Red Cross Youth, Agua Aura, Gipuzkoa Cancer Association, AEFAT, Matía Foundation…
➔ Social Responsibility | Awareness | Solidarity
We invite young people to be part of the change through responsibility and awareness, encouraging them to participate in solidarity initiatives that have an impact and transform reality.
Olarain Nature.
“Sustainability as a way of life”
At Olarain, we care for the planet together. Environmental concern is in our DNA, and that’s why we integrate sustainability into our daily work, moving toward increasingly environmentally friendly accommodations.
Through the Olarain Nature program, we combine environmental awareness with everyday, collective actions that promote a more sustainable lifestyle and foster environmental responsibility through practice.
From outdoor activities like beach and mountain cleanups to an environment that breathes sustainability: solar energy and energy savings, creative recycling, sustainable mobility, local and organic food in our dining hall…
This program goes beyond occasional activities: it is conceived as a shared culture, where small daily actions, such as recycling or reducing food waste, become part of the Olarain lifestyle.
Here, you don’t just live and study: you contribute to change for a better planet.
➔ Local and responsible consumption | Sustainable spaces | Nature care initiatives
Initiatives for environmental care and sustainability.
A stay that leaves its mark
Living at Olarain is much more than just staying near campus. It’s being part of a diverse, open, and committed community. A community that cares, supports, inspires, empowers and transforms.
Each of our programs, Olarain Care, Olarain Explore, Olarain Impact, and Olarain Nature, is a way to grow, to look beyond, to get involved in a shared project that leaves a lasting impact.
Because in Olarain we don’t just offer a place to live, we offer a shared journey, where the student experience becomes a life experience. A space where we contribute to developing the talents and passions of the students and athletes we host.
Over these 25 years, we have created an ecosystem that blends hospitality, learning, and care: we strive to provide comprehensive care to each individual’s needs. Because our purpose is clear: to accompany students on this exciting journey.
