For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Do the Camino this summer then go to school this autumn. Somewhere along the way become a young man.Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
I lean towards the do something, anything, try mentality.I have found as I have gotten older that I have more regrets about things I had the chance to do and didn't, rather than things I did.
Time to make an independent decision. This is just your first of many that will shape your future. Start strong & stay with that decision.So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
I understand your concerns, especially the homesick question, and I know the prospect of going overseas and so far away from home is rather daunting. I think you will find that once you get there and meet some absolutely wonderful people you will be become comfortable and comforted. The Spanish people are SO warm and friendly. And it is easy to communicate with family back home they will never really be far away. When you think about it, it really isn't that long a period between July and December anyway. You will be so busy and fulfilled time will fly by. Of course you can wait until next summer, but if walking the Camino is something you really want to do something else may come up to prevent you going next summer. And the next summer it may be something else... before you know it you will be 30 and possibly have responsiblilties that will again prevent you from going. Just FYI...walking the Camino is something that has been in the back of my mind for years, and I am in my early 60s, and I am embarking on my first Camino this September.
I had the opportunity to study in Spain when I was just a bit older than you, and didn't go primarily for the reasons you stated. It is one of my biggest regrets. I have found as I have gotten older that I have more regrets about things I had the chance to do and didn't, rather than things I did.
Anyway, as you say the choice is ultimately yours. So good luck! I will be holding good thoughts for you whatever you decide to do.
BTW...where will you be studying in Spain?
Thanks so much for your advice! I will be studying at Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona. Luckily, I will have my two sisters who currently attend there to have to lean on.
I have walked the camino three times, first when I was 64 and again at 65 and 67, I wish I would have walked it when I was 20, but work and family and business took most of my years, I can only say walk it as it will help you prepare for Uni and you will meet so many friends. This will be great for your time in Spain.....Go for it you will be surprised by the joy you will have.So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
Invite family members to walk with you and share the experience.
Like you say only you know the answer. But one alternative is to do a short section (which is really easy) for a couple of days once you are in Spain and studying and if you enjoy it then do a whole Camino at the end of your studies
As already stated, no family go alone.Invite family members to walk with you and share the experience.
The pilgrimage will give you interspective and will be a great transition into the culture. This time will give you time to reflect on your life and your future. This will serve as an opportunity taken without any regret.So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
Go. Walking
ha ha yes once a mom, always a mom...Go. Walking the Camino Francés will be a wonderful introduction to independence. You will be among friendly folk, most of whom speak English, and along the way you will become familiar and comfortable with a new culture, a new way of being, to making your own decisions and to being responsible for yourself.
The only thing to fear is too much "mothering" by us oldies!
Thanks so much for your advice! I will be studying at Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona. Luckily, I will have my two sisters who currently attend there to have to lean on.
I agree with Fritzi...the Camino would provide the perfect transition for you. You will arrive at university with a peace of mind like you cannot imagine right now. IF you proceed and walk this summer, however, please, please focus on your Camino and don't worry about worrying! This will be the trip you will always treasure no matter where you have been in the past or where you will go in the future. Seize the day!I remember the time when I was your age and left home to go to school in Toronto (family stayed in Germany). The first 2-3 days I was really home sick as it was, too, the first time I've ever been on my own. But that quickly changed as I met so many nice people and got totally distract from even thinking of home.
I guess it's rather a question how open minded you are. If you are interested in meeting other people and hang out with them, you will have a great time and won't miss home that badly. And even nowadays, you can WhatsApp/facetime, so always a chance to exchange with your family.
Honestly, I would encourage you to do it this year. It will be a fun start into your time in Spain and you will start smoothly into a different country/culture. When I started university abroad I was a little bit overwhelmed by the studies and the different culture/language at the same time, so doing the Camino this year might give you more time to adapt. And who knows, maybe you already meet friends that are living close by where you are and this is always nice to know
As you flip the coin notice which side you're secretly hoping it will land on.....There are good reasons to go and equally good reasons not to. Flip a coin.
No idea on your personal decision but walking through Spain in July is incredibly hot and on that basis alone I would delay until you can do it in May or September.So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
hello kidSo lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
so I suggest you are either use Announcements to find other students to walk with,
18, just a kid? - a hundred years ago "kids" were dying on the western front! You can talk yourself out of it and always have an excuse for not doing it but when you look back on your life and think of the things you DIDN'T do, you will regret it, so carpe deum, because tomorrow is too lateSo lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
Please do it. Do not wait till you are my age before doing something like this. Treat the Camino as you first study complete it and you will never look back in life again.Go. Walking the Camino Francés will be a wonderful introduction to independence. You will be among friendly folk, most of whom speak English, and along the way you will become familiar and comfortable with a new culture, a new way of being, to making your own decisions and to being responsible for yourself.
The only thing to fear is too much "mothering" by us oldies!
I'm sure that the OP will find people, if not here than via social media or the university website. And if they don't get along, they can walk apart.Seeing as most of the people I met on the Camino were NOT on this forum, especially the younger ones, I don't know if the OP will find other students to walk with that way, and may be discouraged if no one responds.
Once on the Camino he will find plenty of company.
While I enjoy chatting here on the forum, and have found very friendly people here that I think that I'd get along with, I don't think that I would want to commit to walking with someone that I don't really know. Heck, I didn't even want to commit to walking with a real life friend last year!
That said. (...). it's not unknown for 18-year-olds to drop out because they get bored or isolated amongst a lot of older people with baggage,
Good luck.
As you go through life you will discover that some of the greatest and most impactful experiences happen when you go outside your comfort zone. Walking the Camino is a wonderful way to build your confidence to successfully complete your studies and begin your career. And guess what? You'll probably be surrounded by hundreds of young people just like you. Yes, family is important but they will still be their when you finish. And I'm sure in the coming year there will be either visits by them or during the semester break, just like magic, a ticket will appear for you to make a trip home. Mum and dads tend to do this as they will be missing you as well.So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
"Walking the Camino can be hard work. Sometimes the Forum makes it sound easy, but it is hard physically and mentally. "
BUT this is true if many things in life . NOT a reason to not try .
"It is typical to have motivation disappear after a week or two. Some quit. Most find the resources to push on (which may involve buses and taxis, although many will deny it!!). If you really think you will suffer from homesickness, it will hit you the most when you are weakest. If it will be expensive to quit and return home, I would suggest you examine whether you rally want to walk it now. "
I did not have a reason to do Camino really BUT as I suspected and found , the Camino DID have a reason for me to be there .
" It has been here for twelve hundred years, and will be here when you have the motivation. "
One never knows when the right time will be . The only time anyone of any age has is NOW .
"Don't underestimate the disappointment you will feel if you quit. You can find a lot of threads in the Forum discussing restarting the Camino after having had to quit for a variety of reasons. While there are a lot of reasons to push your limits in life, setting out knowing you will fail is rarely a good idea in any endeavor, including the Camino.
I know family can be a problem. I missed mine terribly while on the camino and I was returning home straight after it so I am not going to say dont let it stop you. However, yesterday, I got one of these memory things from facebook dating back to just before my first camino. The post went something like this, 'Just 12 days to my camino, am I scared, I am bloody terrified'. Excuse the language but thats how I felt. But I went for it and now I have flown to Spain four times for three caminos (first one took two shots at it) and I would go back again tomorrow if I could even though I would miss and worry about my wife the whole timeSo lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
I suspect that you have generalized anxiety about the whole experience, whether for 3 months or 5 months. If you are busy with constructive activities in Spain, you should have minimal homesickness and it would make very little difference whether you plan 3 months or 5 months without seeing some of your family. It would be a shame to let this general anxiety, about maybe being more homesick, get in the way of a good experience. Don't fuel the idea of homesickness! Accept that a bit will likely occur, but that is part of growing up.
So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
The reason I think, perhaps that I should not walk this summer is because come this September, I will be beginning university in Spain (I live in the US) , meaning when I leave to walk the Camino this July, that'll be it and I will not be going home and able see family until Christmas. I have never been away from home for that long, and so I am wondering if perhaps I should wait to walk maybe my second year of university and by then used to being away from home. If i were to be walking the camino, knowing that I would be going home right after walking, i know that I would have no problem, but I am worried that i'll be home sick the entire camino, knowing I won't be going home for another five months if I go this July.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
Good choice!! Life concentrating on positive, kind behavior will take you down a good path. Sprinkle in some music & you have a good life.Thank you all so much for your strong encouragement! As of now I am planning to go ahead with my original plan to walk in July. You all have given me lots of reassurance. Ever since I decided to walk, many months ago, it has been an ebb and flow of emotions about my plans to do the camino. At times I am very confident and am overwhelmed with excitement. At others I'm frightened by all it entails- and I would assume that's normal? (I know I must sounds over dramatic with all this, but doing something like the camino just is not normal in America for somebody my age)
I am so grateful to have found this forum to help with everything. You're all so awesome! Thanks for the encouragement!
-Pete
Thank you all so much for your strong encouragement! As of now I am planning to go ahead with my original plan to walk in July. You all have given me lots of reassurance. Ever since I decided to walk, many months ago, it has been an ebb and flow of emotions about my plans to do the camino. At times I am very confident and am overwhelmed with excitement. At others I'm frightened by all it entails- and I would assume that's normal? (I know I must sounds over dramatic with all this, but doing something like the camino just is not normal in America for somebody my age)
I am so grateful to have found this forum to help with everything. You're all so awesome! Thanks for the encouragement!
-Pete
So lately I have been having second thoughts as to whether I truly want/should to walk the Camino this coming July. I know ultimately this is a question that I need to answer myself, but I would appreciate any words of advice that some might have (also it helps to vent). There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I want to walk the Camino and that one day I will, but in the last few weeks, I have wondered if THIS summer is truly the right time for me.
.....
Any advice is greatly appreciated! (I am just 18 btw- just a kid)
Apologies for the expletive without advance warning.It would be really easy to be a smart ass about it but I won't. I will say this however. I work with adolescents and young adults in therapeutic wilderness programming. And I know it is really tough to be a high schooler or freshman college kid. I wouldn't want to do it again. Converesly, we are raising entire generations of entitled pansies. Grow a set, cut the apron strings and GO TO ****** SPAIN!!!!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?