I’m no stranger to study abroad programs at UMass Lowell, this being my second time exploring a Latinx country, and once again, I found myself incredibly grateful for the opportunity to dive into a new culture. Despite feeling a little jet lagged, my second day in San Sebastián kicked off with a breakfast tray full of goodness: boiled eggs, fresh bread, juicy watermelon, and a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice that honestly tasted like heaven. I sat down with some of the other students in the program, getting to know one another as we looked over our itinerary and got excited about the day ahead.

After breakfast, we headed out to the bus station, which was just a five-minute walk away. Our goal? Make it to class at Lacunza on time. Navigating public transportation was a bit of a learning curve for me. I’m used to driving everywhere but I appreciated how connected I felt to the city through it. I tried using Apple Pay, like I had the day before, but for some reason it didn’t work on the bus this time. (Weird, since it worked perfectly fine when I paid for food and even a bus ride the previous day.) From then on, I stuck to my debit card for the bus but always kept my phone ready just in case.

We rode through the streets of San Sebastián on our way to Lacunza, the Spanish language school, soaking in the city’s vibrant energy and beautiful diversity. Once we got off at our stop, we walked another five minutes before arriving at the school. When we got there, we all split into our assigned class levels for Spanish lessons, which ran from 9:30 AM to 1:15 PM. Midway through, we had a break around 11:15 AM where Lacunza offered snacks and refreshments. That break was more than just a snack stop; it was a chance to meet fellow students from around the world. I had conversations with people from places like Congo, the Netherlands, and Germany, learning about their backgrounds and what brought them to Lacunza. It was one of those moments that reminded me how global and interconnected this experience really was.

After class wrapped up, I regrouped with some of my study abroad friends, and we hit the streets in search of lunch before our planned hike. We stumbled upon this vibrant little spot called Taqueria El Cabrón, where I ordered a burrito loaded with extra guacamole. It was so good, I’m still thinking about it.

With our bellies full, we made our way to the meeting point at Zurriola Pasealekua for our two-hour hike.

Everything felt smooth at first… until we hit a long flight of stairs. I almost gave up halfway through, but with a bit of encouragement from the group, I made it. The climb was worth it. As we walked, we were surrounded by lush greenery, clear blue skies, and waves crashing against the coast. It was the kind of scenery that stops you in your tracks. I probably took over 100 pictures between my phone and camera trying to capture it all.

That said, the hike wasn’t without its challenges. With about 25 of us in the group, things got a little tricky on the rocky paths. A few slips, lots of breaks, and some serious determination later, we finally reached the top. And the view? Absolutely breathtaking. It made every step, every break, every moment of self-doubt totally worth it. Like they say, “good things don’t come easy.”

After reaching the top, we continued on to Albaola Itsas Kultur Faktoria, a museum dedicated to traditional Basque boat-building. They’re working on reconstructing a 16th-century Basque whaling ship identical to the one that sank in Red Bay, Newfoundland.

On our way down to the shore, I noticed some graffiti on the walls, some of it was really artistic and powerful, while other messages caught me off guard. One read, “tourist go home,” which was a reminder that tourism can be a complicated topic, even in the most beautiful places.

We ended that part of the day with a short five-minute boat ride to the other side of the island. There, we got to relax with a drink. I tried Tinto de Verano, a refreshing wine-based beverage made with red wine, soda, and a slice of lemon. It was the perfect way to wind down.

Our group headed back to Donostia by bus, officially wrapping up the day’s scheduled activities. But for a few of us, the adventure wasn’t over just yet.

After the hike, a couple of the girls and I decided to grab dinner at a cozy ramen spot called Kyoto Ramen. The atmosphere was warm, the staff welcoming, and the post-hike hunger was real. As we waited for our food, we chatted and laughed about the day, already turning our hike into a core memory.

When our ramen arrived, the aroma alone was enough to make me drool. I ordered the pollo (chicken) ramen, and it was exactly what I needed after a long, active day. Warm, comforting, and absolutely delicious.

We all cleaned our bowls and made our way back to the hotel, tired but fulfilled.

All in all, it was a day full of new experiences, cultural exchange, and physical challenges, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Would I do another hike like that again? Maybe. But one thing’s for sure: the fresh air, the views, and the memories made it unforgettable.