Here are some informative articles regarding Santiago de Compostela. The Pilgrim stories are especially fascinating!

Duque, Félix. “Via Stellarum—via Crucis: A Philosophical Approach to the ‘Camino de Santiago.’” Anthropology and Aesthetics, no. 63-64, 2013, pp. 267–78. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23647769.

Fernández, Belén Ma Castro, et al. “Historic City, Tourism Performance and Development: The Balance of Social Behaviours in the City of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).” Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 16, no. 3, 2016, pp. 282–93. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26366493.

Fique, Simon. “Ciudad de La Cultura: Modernity and Architecture in Santiago de Compostela.” Consilience, no. 8, 2012, pp. 34–49. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26188713.

Frey, Nancy Louise. Pilgrim Stories: On and Off the Road to Santiago, Journeys Along an Ancient Way in Modern Spain. 1st ed., University of California Press, 1998. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt1pnszj.

Rogers, Millard B. “An Archeological Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.” Science, vol. 131, no. 3408, 1960, pp. 1176–82. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1706176.

Schapiro, Meyer. “A Note on an Inscription of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.” Speculum, vol. 17, no. 2, 1942, pp. 261–62. https://doi.org/10.2307/2856368.

Here is a notable source on intercultural education:

Gregersen-Hermans. Intercultural Competence Development in Higher Education. 2017. DOI:10.4324/9781315529257-7.

Want to start making plans? Check out these sites that can get you started!

Camino de Santiago

Cheap Flights

Catedral de Santiago Museum Tickets

Guided Cathedral Tour

Museo do Pobo Galego

Santiago de Compostela Tapas Tour

Recommendations / Tips

  • Don’t be afraid to do a guided tour. You may think that you can do better on your own, which may be true, but sometimes it’s less stressful and way more fun if you let a guide take the lead. (To be honest, it usually turns out to be cheaper, too!)
  • Balance guided things with free time for students. Some structure is a good thing, but make sure they have time to explore on their own.
  • Stay on top of the weather!
  • Figure out local transportation. A tourism / welcome center is a great place to start if you’re not sure what to do, and they can usually set you up with what you need. (Plus, they usually have a wall of pamphlets with activity ideas!)
  • Mentality is key – not everything is going to go to plan. Try to have a backup, but if things just don’t work out, roll with the punches. You might even find something better than planned.
  • Debit cards are not recommended abroad. Debit cards are directly linked to your bank account, and if someone gets a hold of your card or information, they can easily swipe the money there. Credit cards are a better buffer – you can call your bank and tell them about a fraudulent charge. Since it’s credit, a thief can’t directly access your savings.
  • Professors: set your expectations early. Make them reasonable and explain why you set these expectations. Students will feel as if they have been thrown into the deep end, and your guidelines will serve as a good foundation.
  • Students: you are likely going to embarrass yourself, and it’s okay. Immersing yourself in a new culture requires you to step out of your comfort zone, but every time you take that step, the more confidence you will gain every time.