Leveraging the Camino de Santiago: promoting intentional reflection and group cohesion during study abroad. Issue 2 (4th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knouse, Stephanie M.
• Is Part Of: Reflective practice. Volume 23:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 203
• Page End: 218
• Publication Date: 2022-03-04
• Subjects: Camino de Santiago -- group cohesion -- high-impact practice -- intentional reflection -- reflective practice -- study abroad -- transformative learning; Professions -- Periodicals; Reflection (Philosophy) -- Periodicals; Thought and thinking -- Periodicals; Self-knowledge, Theory of -- Periodicals; Career development -- Periodicals; 370.15
• DOI: 10.1080/14623943.2021.2003318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-3943

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The present investigation describes how one semester-long study abroad (SA) program leveraged a group excursion at the beginning of the term to promote intentional reflection, a critical skill to process 'disorienting dilemmas' often encountered abroad. The excursion took place on the Camino de Santiago, or 'the Way of Saint James', a well-known pilgrimage in northern Spain. While multitudes of pilgrims have traveled the Camino for over a millennium, it has rarely been featured in educational research. Eighteen women undergraduates from a US institution participated in a two-day hike on the Camino two weeks into their program, and completed a variety of reflection activities in situ . Data collected immediately after the experience and three months later were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results suggest that students' experiences on the Camino – coupled with intentional reflection exercises – helped them gain confidence in the early weeks of their SA semester, and served as a catalyst for camaraderie among participants. Pedagogical and programmatic recommendations of how to structure intentional reflection, especially at the beginning of a SA program, are offered. The article concludes with a call to action to further investigate the role of intensive intentional reflection, especially at the onset of SA.