China Immersion Program - Student Interview
Clara is a rising freshman from Atlanta, Georgia. During her 8th grade year, she was a third-year Mandarin at her school and through this class was able to participate in EdOdyssey's program in China.
In March 2018 Clara participated in an approximately 2-week long exchange and immersion program in China that brought students to Shanghai, Huzhou and Beijing. Before registering for the trip Clara admitted she was nervous, having never been away from home before, but her parents encouraged her to go and after returning she wrote, "I am so glad that I decided to go... it was the best trip I have ever taken!" Below is an excerpt of Clara's alumni interview with GoOversees.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
I would tell them to not go to China looking for America, but instead travel with an open mind, ready to learn about Chinese culture.
You should be like a sponge – ready to absorb all of the knowledge you can about the culture because before you know it, you will be back home again.
EdOdyssey made it really easy to do this, by immersing me and my classmates into the Chinese culture through many interactions with locals. I would also advise them to not forget to take chances, and try new things. If you don't, you might regret it later in life, because you never know if you will have the same opportunities again.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
In the days leading up to the trip, I started to become very nervous. I had never really spent much time away from my family, and this trip was two weeks in a country on the other side of the world! Of course, my family and I had some worries. For example: Would I get along with my host family? What if I didn't like the food? What if I got homesick?
Once I arrived in China, this nervousness immediately transformed into excitement. All of my worries melted away once I met my buddy from my host family. She was so nice and welcoming, and taught me a lot about Chinese culture.
All in all, none of my fears came true. My host family was super nice, the food was AMAZING, and everyday had such a full itinerary that I never even had time to think about being homesick, much less feel that way. EdOdyssey answered all of my and my family's questions and helped us feel much more prepared for the trip. They also ensured that the trip was safe and that we had absolutely nothing to worry about.
What is your favorite memory from your trip to China?
During my trip to China, I had many great experiences. When people ask me this question, they expect me to answer that my favorite experience was visiting the Great Wall of China or going to the Forbidden City. However, this was not so.
My favorite memory actually occurred while my class and I were staying in Huzhou, a "small" and relatively rural city. My class visited a local high school and experienced something far different from what we were used to in America.
Many of the students had never met someone foreign, and especially not from the USA. Once they found out that we were visiting, they flooded out of their classes, and some people even began jumping out of the second story windows just to get a look at the American students! They wanted to take pictures with us, get our WeChat usernames, and ask us all of their questions. I felt like a celebrity!
It was a really amazing experience because it allowed me to realize what different places in the world are like. It also opened my eyes to new perspectives, and allowed me to have life-changing realizations about how the world works in countries other than America.
Read this full alumni interview here and meet other alumni and discover more about EdOdyssey's GoOverseas Custom Trip page.
Spain Immersion Program - Student Interview
Matt's experience with traveling and studying languages began several years ago in 2014 when Matt participated in a 4-week long exchange that brought him to Spanish city of Cordova, Spain. Here is an excerpt from his alumni interview!
Matt is a rising college that will study abroad in South America later this year. When selecting a study abroad destination he was mindful of choosing a location that allowed him to polish his Spanish language skills and would open his eyes to another culture.
Matt's experience with traveling and studying languages began several years ago in 2014 when Matt participated in a 4-week long exchange that brought him to Spanish city of Cordova, Spain. During his time abroad he explored the country, lived with a host family and attended classes at a local school. Upon returning, Matt and his family also hosted a student at their home who attended classes at Matt's local school in Boston.
Matt had a fantastic experience that continues to inform his studies and effect his global perspective today. So much so that this summer 2018, Matt returned to work with EdOdyssey as a Summer Intern to work with international students spending time in New England!
Below is an excerpt of Matt's alumni interview with GoOversees:
Why did you choose this program?
I chose this program because I had a hunger to see more of the world. I also chose to go to Spain specifically as I studied eleven years of Spanish, and something about it just wasn't clicking yet. Peter convinced me that the power of immersion would have tangible effects towards my language acquisition in Spanish, so I went for it! Had I not, I would not be where I am academically today, nor would my Spanish be as proficient as it is. I swear by it!
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The trip was cumulatively all-inclusive. The cost of the trip provided a group of five students and our trip moderator, Peter, with individual host families for two weeks, paired with students from Colegio de Fomento Ahlzahir, our host school. Transportation on long-distance train rides, buses, and vans were provided on our trips around southern Spain, as was admission into destinations such as the Alhambra.
The only thing we had to pay for were optional souvenirs and food (if we were not home or at a host family's house for meals). I did not spend a lot of money out-of-pocket.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
I was incredibly nervous to go and immerse myself in another culture and language with which I was not confident in my ability. I was nervous to be alone with a complete group of strangers for my host family, and wondered if I would even be able to communicate with them.
My advice is to not let the hesitations and "what-ifs" get in your way of just saying yes and doing it.
Being able to see the world from a completely different perspective in another country is an opportunity that you simply should never pass up.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
I was terrified that my Spanish would not be good enough to adequately communicate with my host family. I had taken Spanish in school and learned countless chapters of vocabulary, but my grammar and speaking-fluency never worked together. To resolve this, Peter made us sign a language pact once we arrived at the airport in Spain. It was a promise to try our best and only speak Spanish – even to one another.
After a few days (and numerous corrections from my host father), my fluency began to improve as I began to literally change the language I was thinking in. Once you stop trying to translate everything in your head or pick apart every word in a conversation instead of just trying to comprehend the 'big picture', you literally start to think in your target language and maybe even dream in it – I know I did.
This short time in Spain did more for my Spanish than four years in the classroom. I jumped into A.P. Spanish the following year without taking the level four course right before it, as Spanish became my second language, and my confidence improved. Now in college, I plan to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina for six months because I want to perfect my Spanish and achieve fluency. By committing to my target language and exclusively speaking it through our language pact, I overcame a fear that nearly held me back from going in the first place!
Read this full alumni interview here and meet other alumni and discover more about EdOdyssey's GoOverseas Custom Trip page.
EdOdyssey joins the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative
EdOdyssey joins the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative to help more Americans to gain international experience through study abroad programs.
EdOdyssey has joined the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative to help more Americans to gain international experience through study abroad programs. EdOdyssey joins an impressive list of more than 740 other organizations, universities and schools that have already committed to IIE.
IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling and diversifying the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. EdOdyssey has pledged to work with alumni and young professionals to share stories of study abroad, host events and forums to discuss international travel and increase the number of scholarships it offers to students to study abroad. Earlier this year, EdOdyssey also implemented a new financial aid policy that guarantees funds for all students with demonstrated need.
Peter McGovern, President & Global Founder of EdOdyssey, is enthusiastic about this new partnership. Officially announcing the partnership to his colleagues Peter talked about how, study abroad changed his life and noted his enthusiasm to "work alongside a coalition of great schools, universities and organizations to promote a common goal: help more students discover the world.”
Generation Study Abroad partners now includes over 400 colleges and universities of all sizes and types across the country and around the world, as well as 19 governments, 50 education associations, more than 100 international partners, and 100 study abroad, K-12, and social network organizations who have committed to specific goals to increase the number of U.S. students studying abroad. Commitments include actions to diversity the population of students who participate in study abroad and provide additional financial resources to make this possible.
IIE launched Generation Study Abroad in the belief that the number and proportion of today’s students who graduate with an educational experience abroad is far too low. Currently, fewer than 10 percent of all U.S. college students study abroad at some point in their academic career, according to the Open Doors Report on International and Educational Exchange published by IIE with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Generation Study Abroad aims to grow participation in study abroad so that the annual total reported will reach 600,000 by the end of the decade.
“Globalization has changed the way the world works, and employers are increasingly looking for workers who have international skills and expertise,” says Dr. Allan Goodman, President of IIE. “Studying abroad must be viewed as an essential component of a college degree and critical to preparing future leaders.”
About Generation Study Abroad
IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to significantly increase study abroad participation by bringing employers, governments, associations, and others together to build on current best practices and find new ways to extend study abroad opportunities and resources to tens of thousands of college students whose needs are not currently served by existing programs. Generation Study Abroad will sustain an ongoing dialogue about the need for more students from all backgrounds and in all fields to gain international experience. This will include research to identify and break down barriers hindering students from studying abroad, communications to share strategies and best practices to increase study abroad, and fundraising to mobilize additional financial resources. IIE will also hold a Summit on Generation Study Abroad on October 1-3, 2017 in Washington, D.C. to engage stakeholders in higher education and all commitment partners.
About EdOdyssey
EdOdyssey custom designs educational programs for students around the world. The organization creates amazing student immersion in Peru, China, Spain, the USA and beyond for grade 6-12 students. In addition, EdOdyssey offer a semester and full year study abroad program in Lima, Peru for undergraduate students in addition to a briefer summer term. Founded in 2014, EdOdyssey is a team of educators passionate about sharing the world with students. To date, its team has flown just shy of 1,000,000 miles with students, spent more than 13,450 hours in the classroom led 896 days and counting of programming.
About the Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,200 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.
The end of another great semester in Lima, Peru.
Last week, as is tradition at the conclusion of each semester, the local EdOdyssey Peru team and study abroad students gathered to celebrate the semester and reflect on the experience. This semester the students unanimously voted for comida criolla and enjoyed a delicious three course meal in Lima.
Last week, as is tradition at the conclusion of the semester, the local EdOdyssey Peru team and study abroad students gathered to celebrate the semester and reflect on the experience.
This semester the students unanimously voted for comida criolla (traditional Peruvian food) and enjoyed a delicious three course meal: papa a la huancaína, causa de pollo and anticuchos followed by lomo saltado (the group's favorite dish!), ají de gallina and carapulcra. For dessert, they enjoyed a selection of traditional snacks and pasteries such as tres leches and panqueque con manjar blanco.
During lunch the group shared many laughs and tears as they reflected on their favorite moments. Although there were too many to name, it was clear they were all very excited about their most recent group excursion to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, which culminated with a hike of the amazing Machu Picchu.
To conclude lunch the students surprised, Patricia "Patty" Valencia, their EdOdyssey Program Coordinator, with an enormous poster-size thank you card for everything she had done to support the group. Patty was moved by the gesture and ended lunch with a toast thanking the group for an amazing first semester as EdOdyssey's program Coordinator. "Everything about the semester was amazing. It's amazing to be able to share my country, culture and language with international students and I can't wait until next semester!"
Interested in learning more about EdOdyssey's Study Abroad program in Peru? Click here to check it out.