study abroad, travel, news Hui Li study abroad, travel, news Hui Li

From Bicultural Upbringing to Study Abroad in Rome: Hui's Story

Hello! My name is Hui (pronounced “Huay” and rhymes with “way”). I am a Chinese-American college student from Boston. As a recent study abroad returnee and avid traveller from a young age, I am a firm believer of EdOdyssey’s motto “Travel Changes People, People Change the World.”

EdOdyssey_Hui_Li

Hello! My name is Hui (pronounced “Huay” and rhymes with “way”). I am a Chinese-American college student from Boston. As a recent study abroad returnee and avid traveller from a young age, I am a firm believer of EdOdyssey’s motto “Travel Changes People, People Change the World.”

Traveling is more than just collecting souvenirs - you collect experiences and memories as well!

Traveling is more than just collecting souvenirs - you collect experiences and memories as well!

BICULTURAL YOUTH 

My family and I moved to Boston when I was very young, and I have a strong cultural connection to China, where all of my relatives are from. I grew up speaking mostly Mandarin Chinese at home and learned almost all of my English at school. I love learning about different cultures and how they shape the mindsets of people around the world; I combined these two passions into my two majors in college: Classics (the study of ancient Greece, Rome, and other cultures in the ancient Mediterranean) and psychology. 

Outside of class, I help with the school newspaper. It’s good to try new things and gain new skills!

Outside of class, I help with the school newspaper. It’s good to try new things and gain new skills!

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

The best part about learning is that it is not limited to the classroom. I learned a lot from extracurricular activities such as helping with photography, writing, and graphic design for the student-run newspaper. I am excited to bring these skills to the EdOdyssey team this summer - my experience helped me with my role as a study abroad blogger when I spent a semester in Rome last fall.

STUDY ABROAD: ROME

Studying in Rome was a dream come true: it was one thing to learn about ancient Rome in school, but it was really something else to see the sights and artifacts that you see in books become a part of everyday life. I loved exploring how the past overlaps with the present through my adventures in the city and beyond. Learning directly from the place itself changed me and how I saw the world: I learned to contemplate how both ancient and recent events affect people in the present and future.

It was amazing to see the place I had first seen in my books come to life in front of me!

It was amazing to see the place I had first seen in my books come to life in front of me!

POWER OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Travel does change people: I can attest to that personally from my own travels. In seeing different parts of the world, I learned to view things from new perspectives.

Everywhere I went, I developed a new connection with each place I visited. When you experience a place in person, you gain a deeper understanding of its history, people, and culture.

As I explored new places, I took in all the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings around me. Taking in everything a place has to offer allows you to appreciate even the smallest details beyond the surface.

Immersive experiences abroad bring you so much more than a tourist trip - you get a lot of hands-on experience with cultural activities!

Immersive experiences abroad bring you so much more than a tourist trip - you get a lot of hands-on experience with cultural activities!

TRAVEL INSPIRES

These eye-opening experiences allowed me to change the world in my own way. When I returned to campus after my semester in Rome, several younger students who read about my adventures through my blog told me that they wanted to experience new things by travelling to other countries themselves. 

It was very touching to see that my love for learning through can spark the same enthusiasm in others. I see this as the way that travel has changed me and it will help me change the world. I hope my work at EdOdyssey can continue to inspire others to enrich their lives by travelling abroad.

Want to learn more about how travel changes people and people change the world? Check out the reflections of our travel-loving writers and content on the EdOdyssey blog here!

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custom programs, travel Amanda Lowrey custom programs, travel Amanda Lowrey

Celebrating The Holidays Around the World

Christmas time is celebrated worldwide. The holiday season is a special time for families and friends to give thanks, share gifts, and join in the holiday spirit, all over the world. Read on for fun facts about holiday traditions celebrated in all five of EdOdyssey’s locations! 

Christmas time is celebrated worldwide. The holiday season is a special time for families and friends to give thanks, share gifts, and join in the holiday spirit, all over the world. Read on for fun facts about holiday traditions celebrated in all five of EdOdyssey’s locations! 

Peru

Peru celebrates Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena Similar to other Latin American countries. Gifts are placed near the Niño Jesus (Baby Jesus) in the manger scene in homes. The nativity scene, is common imagery in Latin American countries. 

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Another impressive tradition for Peruvians is fireworks on Christmas Eve. In December, markets and streets sell many fireworks. The idea is to set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate, and families enjoy them as it lights up the night sky over the city (Salazar). 

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A Peruvian Christmas would not be the same without hot chocolate and panettone. Hot chocolate is primarily drank during the holiday season in Peru and panettone, a sweet cake bread, has become a staple in many households. These items seem normal in the northern hemisphere, but remember, it’s actually summer time in Peru during Christmas! Regardless of the hot weather, they’re happy to enjoy their hot cocoa and Santa Claus still wears his full suit with boats! 

Spain 

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Before schools go on Christmas vacation, many teachers and students have an “amigo invisible” or invisible friend similar to Secret Santa in the USA. Typically, groups of teachers and students do this secret gift exchange with small, surprise presents and everyone tries to guess who their invisible friend is!

Christmas always come a few days early for Spain, particularly on December 22, where the winning numbers of the Christmas Lottery are announced. This lottery is known as “el gordo”, which translates to the “fat (or big) one” since people from all around the country throw in a few euros for this holiday tradition. Many people buy tickets to see if they’ll win the lucky number. 

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On Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, is generally spent with loved ones and many houses prepare Seven Fishes for their meals. Most families eat their main Christmas feasts before heading to midnight mass, called the Misa del Gallo. In many homes, Santa Claus, or Papa Noel, brings gifts to children who have been good. 

On December 28, Spain celebrates Día de los Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents’ Day). This is another tradition that has evolved over time that’s become a Spanish April Fool’s Day where people play pranks on each other. 

Photo by Chris Oakley, Flickr

Photo by Chris Oakley, Flickr

On New Year’s Eve, Nochevieja, crowds gather in public or at home to eat the 12 uvas de la suerte (12 lucky grapes) during the final moments of the old year, so that luck will be on their side during the year to come (“Christmas in Spain”). In Madrid, people from near and far pack La Puerta del Sol in the city center hours before midnight. At midnight, the bell in the La Puerta del Sol chimes 12 times. For each chime, people need to throw a grape in their mouth, and it’s bad luck to not finish them! Many Spaniards watch the show of Puerta del Sol and follow along on TV to avoid the crowds!

Italy

In Italy, cities have beautiful decorative lighting on the streets as people wish others “Buon Natale” (“Good Nativity”). Traditionally, the central Christmas decoration is the Nativity scene, known as a “presepe”. These can be found in churches, public areas, and often displayed in homes. Novena, a celebration eight days before Christmas, is when children will recite poems and songs and write letters to their parents (Joshua Expeditions).

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Italy’s whole holiday season is about spending time with family! There's always tons of Italian Christmas cake, known as panettone, and lots and lots of hearty comfort food, Italian style. On Christmas Eve, it's common that a light meal is shared before families go to the Midnight Mass together. When they return home, it’s customary to have a slice of panettone and hot chocolate! 

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Following Christmas Day, Italians continue festivities through January 6, known as the Epiphany, where they spend time with family and children receive gifts, delivered by Befana, an older woman who is said to arrive on a broomstick and slide down chimneys to fill childrens’ stockings (Joshua Expeditions).

China 

Photo by Thomas Galvez, Flickr

Photo by Thomas Galvez, Flickr

Compared to most countries who celebrate Christmas, China celebrates the day as a time to go out and hang out with friends, see a movie, or even go shopping. It is common for students of all ages to decorate and exchange cards (CLI Team). It’s also expected to hear popular Christmas songs, such as Jingle Bells, being played in malls and public spaces, where buildings are decorated with twinkling lights and holiday decor. 

One interesting tradition is exchanging a Christmas apple, also known as the “Peace Apple,” which indicates having a peaceful night and best wishes for the new year!

Quebec City, Canada

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The Christmas tree, decorations, and mistletoe became modern holiday symbols in Quebec during the late 19th century. Besides midnight mass, contemporary Christmas celebrations include a visit with Santa Claus, wreaths, and greeting cards. Symbolic traditions, such as tinsel and lights, are shared by all North American families, but there is still a desire to keep Christmas traditional with native roots, by continuing to share old folk tales and legends (Par Warren). 

As well as our own - USA 

The U.S. has many different traditions and ways that people celebrate the holidays, because of its multicultural nature. Many customs are similar to ones in Europe, Central America and South America.

However, there is a wide variety of religious celebrations beyond Christmas as people have immigrated from all around the world. Many Americans celebrate their heritage, religious roots, and cultural values to observe holidays, such as Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. 

Although the weather varies a lot on location during the holiday season across the US, some common aspects of the holiday season  involve spending time with loved ones, exchanging presents, and taking part in festive parties. Even in the most diverse neighborhoods, many neighborhoods in major cities come together to expo their holiday spirit with lights and decorations where neighbors show off their creativeness and holiday spirit! 

All of us here at EdOdyssey wish you a happy holiday wherever you might be around the world!  If you haven’t already, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you can stay connected with us as the new year approaches!

Director of Program Development, Joe Meringolo, and Program Coordinator for Italy, Rachel Zitin, also contributed to this blog.

Sources

“Buon Natale a Tutti: Christmas in Italy.” Joshua Expeditions, 20 Dec. 2012, www.joshuaexpeditions.org/buon-natale-a-tutti-christmas-in-italy/.

“CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN.” Spanish Christmas Traditions - Don Quijote, www.donquijote.org/spanish-culture/holidays/christmas/

CLI TEAM. “Things to Know About Christmas in China.” CLI, 7 Oct. 2019, www.studycli.org/things-to-know-about-christmas-in-china/ 

Gallagher, Tom. “Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America.” National Catholic Reporter, 24 Dec. 2009, www.ncronline.org/news/spirituality/latino-christmas-nativities-latin-america

Par Warren, Jean-Philippe. “Articles: Encyclopédie Du Patrimoine Culturel De L'Amérique Française – Histoire, Culture, Religion, Héritage.” Articles | Encyclopédie Du Patrimoine Culturel De L'Amérique Française, 15 Dec. 2008, www.ameriquefrancaise.org/en/article-478/Christmas_Celebrations.html 

Salazar, Daniel. “Fireworks on Christmas - Global Volunteers Service Programs.” Global Volunteers, 19 May 2018, www.globalvolunteers.org/fireworks-on-christmas/ 

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study abroad, language Jake Leary study abroad, language Jake Leary

Why I'm Grateful For My Study Abroad Experience

If there was one thing that I am more than grateful for within the past years, it would be studying abroad. Studying abroad has enriched my life with a love for languages, new foods, and travel.

Plenty of people have an itch to travel, and studying abroad allows us as students to explore other parts of the world without interfering with our education. As a part of the study abroad community, we continuously gain appreciation and reflect on how living abroad has affected our individual perspectives of the world. If there was one thing that I am more than grateful for within the past years, it would be my experience studying abroad. My time in China and Peru has enriched my life with a love for languages, new foods, and travel. 

Here are the three biggest reasons why I’m grateful for my study abroad experience:

New People, New Experiences

Study abroad enabled me meet a variety of people from different backgrounds.  When I say this, it is not just meeting new people in the sense of knowing a lot more people.  

I feel as if study abroad enabled me to meet new people that I may not have been friends with before and gave me time to create deeper connections.  When abroad, despite different backgrounds and personalities, barriers become broken. 

I felt that there was less separating us when I was abroad.  It has opened me up to people who I consider some of my closest friends today who I continue to stay in touch with.

Studying Languages

A component of studying abroad that I thought would be the most beneficial was studying languages.  In both China and Peru, I wanted to study Mandarin and Spanish, respectively. Studying these languages in their native countries themselves was very helpful in learning them in an authentic way.  

When I first arrived in China, I had to get over my fear of learning Mandarin, since I had not known a word of the language prior to arriving.  After studying Mandarin for my first month in China, I realized how much language really opens you up to a country and its culture.  

Personal Growth

I am also grateful for my study abroad experience for helping me grow as a person.  I found that through my travels, I became a more independent person. Even now in college, I’ve found that I do not need the safety net of a college campus.  I am always looking for travel opportunities, whether it is weekend trips with friends or traveling to Vietnam where I went this summer for a school program.  

In gaining more independence, I have realized that travel becomes a way of life.  Travel doesn’t seem scary or intimidating, which is how I perceived it prior to studying abroad.  It has become a priority in my life and this would be impossible without my study abroad experiences.

If you want to see how my study abroad experiences through EdOdyssey have positively impacted and shaped me in college, check out How Study Abroad With EdOdyssey Prepared Me For Harvard!

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food, news EdOdyssey food, news EdOdyssey

Our Bourdain Day Tribute

As we pay tribute to the late chef, Anthony Bourdain, we are featuring quotes and excerpts from CNN’s Parts Unknown and CNN articles regarding our five locations: Peru, China, Spain, Italy and Canada.

As we pay tribute to the late chef and TV personality, Anthony Bourdain, we are featuring quotes and excerpts from CNN’s Parts Unknown and CNN articles regarding our five locations: Peru, China, Spain, Italy and Canada. Bourdain traveled around the world to share stories of cultures and to bring us all to see the beauty, the reality, the challenges, and most importantly, the food from all these countries and more.

His open, honest approach when explaining and trying local cuisine in the streets of a foreign city, or enjoying a sit-in down Michelin star meals, made us feel like we were also invited into the conversation with locals, famous chefs, or stars from around the world.

Here are five quotes and excepts for our five locations:

“It’s an irritating reality that many places and events defy description…Machu Picchu, for instance, seem[s] to demand silence, like a love affair you can never talk about. For a while after, you fumble for words, trying vainly to assemble a private narrative, an explanation, a comfortable way to frame where you’ve been and whats happened. In the end, you’re just happy you were there- with your eyes open- and lived to see it.” -Anthony Bourdain’s NY-Times Best Seller “The Nasty Bits: Collected Varietal Cuts, Usable Trim, Scraps, and Bones”.

“If you love in Manhattan like I do and you think you live in the center of the world, this place, Shanghai, will confront you with a very different reality. Turn down a side street, it's an ancient culture. A century's old mix of culinary traditions, smells, flavors. A block away…an ultra-modern, ever clanging cash register, levels of wealth, of luxury, a sheer volume of things and services unimagined…” - Parts Unknown, Shanghai.

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"It takes a special breed to live in a province like Quebec. It gets cold in winter, and winters are long. It takes a special kind of person for whom frozen rivers, icy wind-whipped streets, deep seemingly endless forests are the norm. I will confess my partisanship up front. I love Montreal. It is my favorite place in Canada. The people who live there are tough…and I admire them for it. Toronto, Vancouver, I love you, but not like Montreal." -Parts Unknown, Montreal.

"Any reasonable, sentient person who looks to Spain, comes to Spain, eats in Spain, drinks in Spain, they're gonna fall in love. Otherwise, there's something deeply wrong with you." -Parts Unknown, Granada.

“As so many have found throughout history, it is easy to fall in love with Rome. She is seductively beautiful. She has endured and survived many things.” Parts Unknown, Rome.

Early in his career, he trained as a professional chef and worked at some of Manhattan’s top restaurants. Later, he went onto write a NY Times Best Seller and tell-all book called “Kitchen Confidential” that takes the reader behind the scenes of the culinary world and into the kitchen. He would later began collaborating with CNN to create TV series that would take us on a wild ride with our crazy Uncle Tony.

Do you want to learn more about food and culture? Definitely check out our blog The Secret Ingredients Behind Peru’s Diverse Culinary Scene!

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travel, study abroad Jake Leary travel, study abroad Jake Leary

Understanding Seven Chinese Superstitions

Within Chinese culture, superstitions are common among many people.  Like any other culture, some of these may seem strange, but they hold unique value.

Within Chinese culture, superstitions are common among many people.  Like any other culture, some of these may seem strange, but they hold unique value.  To better understand more Chinese superstitions, I turned to my close Chinese friend Sonya for her experiences with superstitions.

These are seven Chinese superstitions:

Burn

1. In Chinese culture, people will burn fake paper money to commemorate a person who has passed away.  A large part of this superstition is seen in a memorial event of the Tomb sweeping festival, which has a long history in China.

2. In China, people do not use a broom to clean the floor on the first day of Chinese New Year.  Chinese people also do not throw out their trash on this day. It is bad to clean your house on this day, especially the floors, because the broom is seen as making fortune going away.

3. There are also superstitions regarding your body.  For example, your eyelid twitching has two different meanings.  If the left eyelid jumps suddenly, this means fortune and good luck.  If the right eyelid jumps suddenly, this means bad fortune and unluckiness.  

Fortune Teller

4. When someone starts a new business in China, some Chinese business people will turn to a fortune teller for guidance.  They will pay a considerable amount of money for the fortune teller to tell them the exact time to open their business.  The dates and times are seen as important for wealth and good luck with their business.

5. When a person passes away, their family does not bargain the price of an urn for ashes.  They also do not point to an urn that they decide to buy. This is out of respect for the person who passes away, so that there is not a focus on money.

6. Certain numbers in China are considered bad luck or have negative connotations.  The number “four” is very unlucky and one word to avoid. This is because the Chinese word for “four” sounds like the Chinese word for “death”.  

7. When a person’s Zodiac animal will be the next year, this means that it will be a tough year for them.  A solution to this superstition is that they will have to purchase red socks or underwear for a good year and to protect themselves.

For my friend Sonya, these superstitions are a part of her culture and life in China.  Through a greater understanding of these, it gives others the ability to connect with Chinese culture and the people in it.  This can further create a new awareness with regard to our own cultural traditions and superstitions. No matter how superstitious you are, it is important to recognize how superstitions speak to our cultures around the globe.

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travel, language, study abroad Jake Leary travel, language, study abroad Jake Leary

Eight Must-Have Applications When in China

We all use our smartphones daily and presumably this will be true if you travel to China as well.  There are some applications on your smartphone that you will use frequently in China, and some that you will discover are actually a necessity.  We get into routines and comfortable with applications’ functions, and I had an initial discomfort of learning a number of new apps, but later discovered their great value.

We all use our smartphones daily and presumably this will be true if you travel to China as well.  There are some applications on your smartphone that you will use frequently in China, and some that you will discover are actually a necessity.  We get into routines and comfortable with applications’ functions, and I had an initial discomfort of learning a number of new apps, but later discovered their great value.

Here are eight apps that you should download and use when in China:

Chinese Applications

1. WeChat

WeChat is a free application that you will use every single day in China.  It is used for messaging, calling, and even has a social media aspect. It is akin to any other messaging app, with audio and messaging, built-in emojis, and group chat functionality.  I found WeChat to be extremely useful when I was in China, as I was to able to message my friends and even pay for items at stores or at street vendors through the app with QR code technology.  If you have a Chinese bank account, simply link your card to the app and you are ready to easily shop!

Taxi

2. DiDi

DiDi is the Uber of China.  It is super convenient to order a ride if you do not want to take a taxi or there are no taxis around you.  I found that riding with DiDi was a little better than taxis, since taxis are metered and often more expensive.  The user interface is very similar to Uber, as you can also split rides with other users. Also be prepared to almost always speak to the driver on the phone, the driver will call you to ensure your location and pickup, so be prepared to speak Chinese!  You can alternatively message the driver through the app to ensure a proper pickup and even pay the driver in cash if you prefer to.

3. Ofo & Mobike

Both Ofo and Mobike are very convenient bicycle-sharing applications.  In China, I would walk on the sidewalk, find an Ofo or Mobike, scan the QR code with my phone, and then the bike unlocked and I was ready to ride!  Within the app, there are the fees for riding, but they are very cheap prices, most of the time around fifteen cents for each ride! Of course, you want to be cautious when riding bicycles especially in a foreign country.  In major cities, there are separate bike lanes in the street going in the same direction, but you have to always be cautious of other bikes, mopeds, and bicycles sharing the same lane.

4. Taobao

Taobao is the perfect application for all of your shopping needs.  You can practically find any item that you desire on Taobao, which is also a website.  I have used Taobao to purchase cheap clothing, shoes, and accessories in the past, and the items were shipped right to me!  You can easily have items shipped to any location in China, including your school or university shipping center. It is the best site in China for cheap, online shopping, and you can always find great deals.  However, this may not be the best idea for buying gifts for others, as it depends on what it is you are buying.

5. Ctrip

If you are planning on travelling within China, Ctrip is the application for your travel needs.  Through the app, I compared flight prices from one city to another and purchased my flight tickets.  Through Ctrip, you can also book bus tickets and even hotels. Ctrip is very convenient for purchasing your tickets, and they are usually the cheapest prices out there!

Map

6. Amap

If you are looking for more local commuting routes and updates, consider Amap you Apple or Google Maps.  Well, in China you will most definitely need to find your way to your destination, and Amap is the perfect solution.  With basic functions just like Google maps, you will never get lost if you use this app. I used this app every day in China, as it is also great for providing locations, authentic reviews, and recommendations, in addition to directions.

7. Xiami

Want to listen to music in China?  Xiami is the best application for listening to music and watching music videos.  Think of it as Youtube, along with the functions of Spotify. I love this app because I was able to listen to my favorite English-speaking artists, but also discover new and amazing Chinese artists!

8. Pleco

When in China, you will want to practice your Mandarin.  Pleco is an amazing application for learning new Chinese words, with a focus on self-learning.  You can simply type in an English word, and learn the Chinese character, stroke order of the character, related words, and even sentences using the word!  Additional capabilities include being able to bookmark words you want to save for later, and a built-history that allows you to look back at previous words.  I found this app to be extremely helpful for a daily practice of Chinese and I could even translate from Chinese to English too!

I can say that with the usage of all these applications, my life in China became much easier.  In some ways, it was even easier than life in America, as I was fascinated by the widespread use of QR code technology.  I was amazed at how easier and faster it made daily activities, such as paying for items at checkout and grabbing an Ofo or Mobike.  

For me, there was not a huge adjustment to using these apps, since they all have equivalents that would be used in America for example.  To this day, I still use WeChat and Pleco in America. I love to keep in touch with my friends in China through WeChat and practice Mandarin even more with Pleco.  These are not all of the applications you will find yourself downloading in China, but these are eight essentials, making for an easy transition to life in China!

Interested in learning more about life in China? Check out my Five Customs You Should Know When in Public in China!

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