Exceptional opportunity for an inside look at the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Past Review

By Dorothy E (Women's Studies/Religious Studies dual major, The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 05/19/2012 to 06/30/2012 with

William and Mary: Summer Program in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Very worthwhile. After 6 weeks in Santiago de Compostela, Spain I grew so accustomed to the culture that I thought it was just like Virginia until I stopped to realize that the plaza culture that gathers people of all ages and classes is not available in Virginia.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	There were quirks because it was the 1st year, but clearly it is an incredible program.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The former monastery next door to the Cathedral of St James was perfect housing to study the Pilgrimage to that Cathedral.
* Food:	We started out eating every meal at the monastery. The food improved when the program adjusted to the students' desire for a variety of restaurants.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	The streets of Santiago felt very safe at all hours. The monastery itself felt even more safe.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)	Food was expensive in Santiago because it is a tourist town and we had no way to prepare our own meals.
* Was housing included in your program cost?	Yes
* Was food included in your program cost?	Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I only spent money on gifts to bring home.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	If students could volunteer to help in albergues, maybe students could prepare meals there.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Hotel Hostel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students Other
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Inside knowlegde local community's appreciation & respect for our research First hand research interviewing the pilgrims themselves
* What could be improved?	Teach more before arrival to free up time later for more on location learning Spend more time in Santiago, less on trail. Offer paired/group research studies
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	All work & no play, including weekends. It is hard to find English speaking help in airports, train and bus stations.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Pilgrimage Studies Seminar
Course Department:	INTR
Instructor:	Greenia & Jenkins
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I gained an extraordinary amount of knowledge. However, the overall daily schedule (including weekends) was often from 7AM to 9PM with practice hikes, 2 extended formal meals with the entire group, moening classroom lecturers and afternoon/evening tours. It did not leave enough time for homework and was far too grueling to be able to fully internalize all the extraordinary knowledge we were being offered through tours and guest lecturers.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No. It was W&M credit and I am a W&M student.