F&M on the Camino student leaders David Nieves '27 and Johansen Vargas '26 outside Spain’s Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

“Buen Camino!” 

Pilgrims wish each other a “good way” as they trek the Camino de Santiago (“The Way of St. James”), a route to Spain’s Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This journey, which has been traversed by pilgrims since the 9th century, is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But Franklin & Marshall College students Johansen Vargas ’26 and David Nieves ’27 have accomplished this feat twice. 

Vargas, a computer science major, and Nieves, a biology major, completed their first pilgrimages with F&M on the Camino in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The POSSE Scholars were selected as student leaders for the program’s third cohort, accompanying seven other students and three F&M staff members as they hiked approximately 15 miles a day for two weeks in May, from León to Santiago, Spain. 

The Camino de Santiago is a historically religious journey to the remains of St. James the Greater, one of Jesus’ apostles. Today, many embark on this pilgrimage seeking self-discovery, growth, and meaning; opportunities to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature, community, and self; and the accomplishment of a significant physical and mental challenge that for most would seem unattainable. 

“I wanted to become a student leader to help people get what they wanted from this experience,” Vargas said. “I feel like I was very fortunate to have a group that helped me get there that first time, so I wanted to be that person to be able to provide that for this group.”

Nieves agreed, saying, “I had a really good time, so I wanted to be in a position to support others in having a good time.”

F&M on the Camino offered Vargas and Nieves an opportunity to apply their learning in a dynamic, real-world setting. From F&M's campus in Lancaster to the ancient trails of Spain, the two navigated not just miles, but also the nuances of group dynamics and individual needs, all while honing essential skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving.

“There are a ton of opportunities for you at F&M to make your own experience.”

— David Nieves ’27

In the months preceding departure, Vargas and Nieves aided in preparatory workshops, sharing firsthand insight to help students prepare for the journey. While on the Camino, Vargas and Nieves acted as champions for their peers, offering encouragement, being attentive to their needs, and sharing concerns with staff leaders or offering one-on-one support when appropriate. The two also led evening debrief activities, posing reflection questions such as, “What did today teach you about your limits, and how did you respond to them?” and “When things got tough today, what helped you keep going?” 

Vargas said these student leader responsibilities presented a new perspective of what it means to walk the Camino. 

“When I first walked the Camino, I didn’t really think about what other people were thinking about and what their purpose was. But as a student leader, you can’t overlook that,” he said. “This time around, I’ve been more purposeful and I’ve been reflecting more on what it means to be here. Getting to know everybody and what their ambitions are — you just understand that everybody’s purpose to walk the Camino is different. Even though we’re hiking the same trail and doing the same things every day, everybody has a different experience.”

These varying experiences reminded Nieves of F&M and its flexibility to create a distinctive journey. On the Camino, you can choose your own adventure — whether that be walking slowly to take in the sights, enjoying an unexpected conversation with a fellow pilgrim, walking alone to contemplate and reflect, or stopping by a restaurant (or several) for a taste of local cuisine. 

“There’s a lot of freedom,” Nieves said. “I think the environment at F&M is also very supportive of that. There are a ton of opportunities for you at F&M to make your own experience.”

Vargas added that F&M feels like a microcosm of the Camino de Santiago.

“F&M is such a tight-knit community, and walking the Camino feels like a tight-knit community,” Vargas said. “You see a lot of the same people every day — you may not know them — but you’re all doing this pilgrimage together. And at F&M, because it’s a small school, you see everybody. You can talk to them and get to know them. And that’s the same thing on the Camino. That’s truly my favorite part — the human connection of it.”

Both Nieves and Vargas walked away from their second Camino experience with a deeper understanding of themselves and the profound connections forged on the ancient path. Their journey as student leaders not only enriched their own perspectives, but also highlighted the transformative power of F&M on the Camino for everyone involved.

“It’s such an incredible program,” Vargas said. “I’m so glad I got to do it twice. Not just once, but twice, which is insane for me to think about. And I’m enjoying every single second of it.”

Editor’s note: the author of this story, Alicia Morrissey-Kinee, took part in the Camino de Santiago walk with students and professional staff from F&M over the course of two weeks in May.

“You’re all doing this pilgrimage together. That’s truly my favorite part — the human connection of it.”

— Johansen Vargas ’26

F&M on the Camino's third cohort included nine students and three F&M staff leaders. The group hiked approximately 15 miles a day for two weeks in May, from León to Santiago, Spain. Here, they celebrated reaching their destination: the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino de Santiago is a historically religious journey to the remains of Saint James the Greater, one of Jesus’ apostles. Today, many embark on this pilgrimage seeking self-discovery, opportunities to reconnect with nature, a significant physical and mental challenge, and more.

The Camino de Santiago is a historically religious journey to the remains of Saint James the Greater, one of Jesus’ apostles. Today, many embark on this pilgrimage seeking self-discovery, opportunities to reconnect with nature, a significant physical and mental challenge, and more.

Sam Thiry, director of wellness programs, and Joe Pritchett, director of faith & meaning, were two of the staff leaders of F&M on the Camino. Here, they're joined by Vivey Ellis '26 and student leader David Nieves '27.

Luke Redling '27 and Lucas Barroso Goncalves '27 enjoyed a special view of the sunrise from the side of a mountain.

Vivey Ellis '26, Sydney Johnson '27, and Kate Martinez '26 are all smiles despite the rainy day.

On the Camino, you can choose your own adventure — including stopping by a restaurant for a cup of coffee and a few plucks on the guitar, as student leader Johansen Vargas '26 and Preeta Nayak '27 did here.

Hannah Dewdney '28, Kate Martinez '26, Luke Redling '27 and Lucas Barroso Goncalves '27 explored a new city after reaching their destination for the day.

Vivey Ellis '26, Sydney Johnson '27, student leader David Nieves '27, staff leader Joe Pritchett, and Kate Martinez '26 celebrated reaching the 100 km marker, which indicates 100 km (62 miles) remain until Santiago.

Preeta Nayak '27, staff leader Alicia Morrissey-Kinee, student leader Johansen Vargas '26, staff leader Sam Thiry, Lucas Barroso Goncalves '27, and Luke Redling '27 celebrated reaching the same milestone.

Luke Redling '27, Lucas Barroso Goncalves '27, student leader Johansen Vargas '26, and Preeta Nayak '27 pose on the Templar Castle, a castle-fortress built by the Knights Templar in Ponferrada, Spain.

Student leader David Nieves '27 and Hannah Dewdney '28 snapped a selfie in the sun.

Vivey Ellis '26, Sydney Johnson '27, and Kate Martinez '26 posed with an essential symbol of the Camino de Santiago: the yellow arrow. Yellow arrows are displayed on various surfaces along the Camino, serving as a guide to lead pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.

Student leaders David Nieves '27 and Johansen Vargas '26 celebrated completing the Camino de Santiago for the second time.

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