On the last day of my study abroad program in San Sebastián, Spain, I had to move out of my apartment by 12:00 noon. I was sad to leave my roommates, but the timing was perfect. My mom was on her way to meet me, and she and I were both excited for the last leg of my stay in Europe. It was pouring rain as I walked to the bus station with my suitcase, duffel bag, and backpack in tow. I didn’t care, though. By this point, I knew my neighborhood like the back of my hand, so the route was easy to navigate; besides, I was too preoccupied to be bothered by the rain. I kept checking the time as I speed-walked through Gros and along the river towards the bus station. I was eager to meet my mom as she arrived from Bilbao.

For six weeks this summer, I lived two blocks away from the most popular surfing beach in Donostia-San Sebastián, la Zurriola. Most of my memories from Zurriola are positive: getting to know my roommates as we basked in the sun, diving through the waves before sunset, and watching intense matches of beach volleyball. However, there was one night at Zurriola that stuck with me more than any other and taught me the importance of demonstrating respect while studying abroad.

This night reminded me that, no matter what, I would always be an outsider in Donostia. I would always be American, not Spanish or Basque. Therein lies the point of studying abroad: to be an outsider, to learn what that means, to appreciate it, and to “do it” to the best of your ability so that you can effectively connect with the city and its people. Studying abroad means using a foreign language, trying foods you’ve never tried, celebrating holidays you haven’t heard of, gaining skills of independence while soaking up the history and culture of your host country. It should be uncomfortable in many ways, since so much of it is novel.