The Camino de Santiago, or simply “The Camino,” is much more than just hiking through beautiful landscapes in northern Spain. It is, in the words of veteran pilgrims, a metaphor for life itself, during which “each individual step teaches you and every encounter transforms you.”
The sense of fellowship and personal growth was palpable in the Plaza del Obradoiro, at which time the participants of this 6th annual edition of the Camino de Santiago Program received their “Compostelana” (or certification of having completed the pilgrimage) and returned home transformed by an experience of friendship, solidarity, and gratitude.
This latest edition of the Camino de Santiago Program, organized and coordinated by the International Studies Foundation (ISF), part of the social impact efforts of CIS University, brought together a group of young people from the United States, Spain—participants of the Go American English program—and Ukraine, the latter through the NGO “Cruzada por los Niños” (or Crusade for the Children), to offer the opportunity to walk one of Europe’s most iconic pilgrimage routes and have an unforgettable experience.
The pilgrims began their adventure in Madrid, where they prepared for the challenge through cultural and group bonding activities before traveling to Galicia to walk the final stretch of the “French Way,” (or “Camino Francés) from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. Throughout the different stages, participants forged friendships that transcend borders and customs, discovering that, as old Jacobean wisdom holds, “The Camino never actually ends—it simply stays with you for the rest of your life.”
True to its mission since 2017, this program seeks to offer young people who achieve academic excellence yet perhaps come from less socio-economically privileged backgrounds the opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most meaningful pilgrimages, promoting intercultural exchange, conscious leadership, and deep personal development.
The president of ISF and CIS University, María Díaz de la Cebosa, emphasized the academic and transformative importance of the program:
“Since we launched this initiative in 2017, we’ve witnessed how cultural exchange and shared experiences on the Camino de Santiago foster lasting friendships and a more inclusive view of the world. It is a source of pride to see how participants return to their home communities with renewed motivation to lead, serve, and build bridges between people from different backgrounds.”
“We are deeply grateful for the support of our institutional partners and all of the organizations that make this project possible. Together, we are planting the seeds of a more just, compassionate, and open future, where education is the fundamental path to social change.”
A journey to unite cultures and awaken consciousness
This year, the presence of Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College—one of the institutions that has most strongly supported the project—reinforced the academic and human dimension of “The Camino,” highlighting the value of an education that extends beyond classrooms and lecture halls, one that seeks to teach through new spaces and lived experiences.
The objectives of this program focus on fostering understanding, communication, and cooperation among young people from diverse backgrounds, promoting creative thinking, cultural awareness, and the ability to face personal and collective challenges. Among the skills and advantages acquired were increased self-confidence, improved interpersonal communication, the creation of lasting bonds, and the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits.
This 6th annual pilgrimage celebrates the continued success of a program that proves education is the act of cultivating awareness, and that those who complete their Camino today are called upon to build a more empathetic and humane tomorrow. None of this would be possible without the joint efforts of the ISF and CIS University teams, the partnering institutions, and the sponsors who believe in the transformative power of education.
As Camino veterans say, “Every step makes an impression, and every impression brings hearts closer together.” Those who finish El Camino today will be called upon tomorrow to care for our society with greater empathy, awareness, and humanity.
Congratulations, 2025 pilgrims!