Blending Academics and Culture: The Uniqueness Behind EdOdyssey's Virtual Study Abroad Program

Expand your academic experience this semester with courses that go beyond traditional online classes. Take part in EdOdyssey’s virtual study abroad program that uniquely combines a cultural learning module with academic course(s) at the top university in Peru.

Expand your academic experience this semester with courses that go beyond traditional online classes. Take part in EdOdyssey’s virtual study abroad program that uniquely combines a cultural learning module with a selection of academic courses at the top university in Peru.

This is an incredible opportunity for eager learners excited about taking their education to gain cultural and academic knowledge from a local perspective. 

Growing your global understanding is integral to being an impactful society member wherever you live. Throughout the virtual study abroad program, you will connect with Peruvian professors to learn about either Indigenous Rights, Peruvian History, Global Pandemics, Spanish language, or Traditional Medicine in the Andres.

While students receive academic coursework, our Peruvian team based in Peru will engage in an open dialogue and support students while they learn about aspects of Peruvian culture.

As a Virtual Study Abroad student, you’ll gain knowledge about Peru from local perspectives, gain cultural competencies and even prepare yourself for future study abroad and travel!

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

These courses, taught by PUCP professors who are highly knowledgeable in their fields, will create an opportunity for students to connect with other students throughout the U.S., while also engaging in dialogue with the Peruvian professors. 

Class photo with one of the awesome professors at PUCP from our in-person semester program

Class photo with one of the awesome professors at PUCP from our in-person semester program

How often do you get the chance to take a course about “Indigenous Rights and Legal Pluralism” with a Peruvian professor who has extensive knowledge and experience related with indigenous rights? This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity! 

The five exceptional course options challenge students to build cultural competencies beyond the classroom. By learning directly from Peruvian professors with lived experience in Latin America, students will be able to ask questions, engage in fruitful dialogue and greatly expand their knowledge. 

CULTURAL MODULE: BECOMING A GLOBAL CITIZEN

In an increasingly globalized world, these courses provide you with an opportunity to gain crucial skills of cultural competence and a wider global perspective through interacting with citizens from another country and covering important sociocultural topics. The cultural module of the Virtual Study Abroad program will include a series of guest speakers who will share their perspectives and experiences on numerous topics related to accomplishments and challenges in Peru. 

Various presentations will inspire you to reflect and gain perspective on your personal identity, experiences, and capital through discussions and conversations in the cultural modules. While specific aspects of Peruvian society may not resonate with a student, there are numerous takeaways which students can use to reflect on social justice issues and questions such as:

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How can I make a difference in the world and community in which I am a part of? 

In what ways can I focus my community engagement where I live? 

In what ways do my individual actions impact global economies, societies, and peoples? 

What values do people have in different regions such as rural areas and cities? 

A TASTE BEFORE STUDYING ABROAD

For high school upperclassmen and college students, this program may also be helpful for those debating studying abroad or future travel. Knowledge gained will help students build cultural confidence and possibly reduce the intensity of culture shock upon arriving to study abroad in Lima in the future.

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The Peruvian History and Culture course will be particularly useful for students who will eventually study abroad in Lima, as you will be able to discuss historical events and social issues with locals.  As wonderful as study abroad information sessions and slideshows may be, the more you know before you go abroad will help you feel ready and excited about the new experiences to come. 

IS VIRTUAL STUDY ABROAD THE RIGHT FIT FOR ME?

If you are a high school upperclassmen, high school graduate, or undergrad student then YES, this program is PERFECT FOR YOU!  Knowledge about diverse cultures, regions, and societies will help you succeed in any avenue you pursue in life. Additionally, during this unprecedented time of a global pandemic, some may find the course “Pandemics, Global History & Peruvian Society” to be an exciting new perspective on what is happening across the world. 

If you plan to travel somewhere, the lessons you learn in this program about Peru’s culture will apply to various aspects of your life. Learning about Peru’s diverse range of cultures, climates, and languages will help students reflect on their own realities and how they’d like to better engage with them. 

If you’re still working on your Spanish, or haven’t studied a language in awhile, that’s okay! The Peruvian History, Indigenous Rights, and Global Pandemics courses will be offered in English. You will provide you with an opportunity to learn about various aspects of Peruvian culture and society, expand your cultural competency and better align you for a future of impactful societal engagement. 

If you’re looking to improve your intermediate or advanced Spanish language skills, or learn about Traditional Medicine in the Andes, you’ll gain even more perspective and improve your language skills!

Want to learn more about the virtual study abroad program? Learn more about the Curriculum and Experience!

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Five Questions to Prepare Yourself For A New Academic Year

To all the college students around the world: we know and understand each other’s struggles by mid-semester. The library is flooded with overwhelmed peers and you can’t believe how much work you need to accomplish in such a short period of time. 

To all the college students around the world: we know and understand each other’s struggles by mid-semester. The library is flooded with overwhelmed peers and you can’t believe how much work you need to accomplish in such a short period of time. 

Sometimes the simplest changes to our mindset can have exceptional outcomes. Stay proactive and set the tone for your semester, because the same thinking and habits tend to yield the same results. 

Here are five questions to ask yourself this semester in order to set yourself up for success:

How can I see beyond my own stress?

When unexpected changes happen on and off campus, we have to adjust in the moment. Have you ever lost focus on a problem or issue that weeks and months later had resolved itself over time with no real long-term impact on you, your well-being, your family or friends? 

We have to strive to find meaning in these challenges and continue prioritizing without allowing stress to affect our decision making.

We’re not as focused when we’re stressed so we need to find solutions. Instead, we can learn from our mistakes, and be okay with moving beyond them to make the most of our time.  

What are you excited to learn about?

In other words, what do you want to learn about this year? Rather than getting preoccupied  about the syllabi and the infinite list of assignments, focus your energy on the big-picture positives and what you can take away from your course.

There might be a certain community service project or content focus that peaks your interest. Focusing your attention on the favorable elements will make your semester more enjoyable as the months fly by.  

What do you need to be successful? 

Would greater time management skills enhance your productivity from the start? Staying ahead of assignments can be critical when juggling multiple deadlines with school and work.

There might be a difficult course you’re taking where you could ask for assistance early on in the semester by getting a tutor or joining a study group.

An additional component that many overlook is what you can do to help destress after those tough weeks. Taking up a hobby, such as reading or exercising, can significantly improve your overall mood and mindset. 

how can you utilize YOUR STRENGTHS this semester? 

It’s beneficial to your schoolwork and general motivation for education if you can hone into your strengths to help carry out the semester.

If you’re incredibly organized, you might want to consider taking up a leadership role in a group project. If you have a certain interest or skills, maybe look into a club or organization on campus that you can get involved with to use your talents. 

Finding various outlets for what you do best will allow yourself breathing room from all of the busywork that has held you down in the past. It’s easy to complain and feel discouraged, but it’s a lot more valuable to give yourself a pat on the back from time to time and embrace your gifts.

How are you building your professional portfolio? 

As you continue through college, you should start thinking more and more about the skills that you have and skills that you’d like to hone for professional purposes.

As you get into higher level course work, start thinking about how you’d use and transfer your skills into a professional setting. 

Can you show an employer some data that you’ve compiled, research that you’ve done, or a design that you’ve made? Anything that you create in a classroom can show your skills to a future employer!

An EdOdyssey student studying abroad in Lima, Peru, volunteers with children and supports local community programs.

An EdOdyssey student studying abroad in Lima, Peru, volunteers with children and supports local community programs.

Find a way to infuse your particular passions into the project so it shows your particular skills, strengths and love for the subject or area. 

It’s never too late to start bolstering those skills! During EdOdyssey’s study abroad, all students are encouraged to do a personal project. This piece typically relates to their major or minor for their portfolio to show employers their creativity, ingenuity, and hands-on skills.   

Are you still trying to make study abroad a priority for the future? One of our recent blogs, Creating a Roadmap to Study Abroad in 2020, goes into depth about planning for future semesters and how you can stay ahead of the game when it comes to your educational journey. 

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Creating a Roadmap to Study Abroad in 2020 

What an exciting time it is to explore another country and gain some cultural perspective! Though it may seem like a long time from now until the end of fall semester, it will certainly fly by. For those students who are looking into studying overseas, here are a few ways to start creating your roadmap to going abroad! 

What an exciting time it is to explore another country and gain some cultural perspective! Though it may seem like a long time from now until the end of fall semester, it will certainly fly by. For those students who are looking into studying overseas, here are a few ways to start creating your roadmap to going abroad! 

Figuring Out Housing - Before and After

Should you sign a year long lease and sublease part of it while you’re abroad? Should you put your belongings in a storage unit or keep them with a friend while you’re abroad? Neither of these questions have easy answers, but we have some ideas to help!

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When you plan to go abroad, and if you currently live off-campus where you have signed a lease, you’ll be better off speaking to your landlord, and roommates, as early as possible about the option of subleasing your room. You’ll allow everyone to help you find another temporary roommate so you aren't solely responsible for your room and bills while you’re studying abroad. 

Online sites, like Facebook groups or Housing Universe, advertise student accommodations which are helpful when other students are looking for potential places to live for a semester or summer break. 

Another option, especially if you live on-campus, is to put your items into a storage unit for the time being if you’re moving out, or you could ask your family and friends for assistance with holding onto your car, furniture, and valuable items while you’re overseas.

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You’ll want to make sure that campus housing department knows of your plans to go abroad and you’ll wait to convey who you plan on living with well in advance.

This might also be a good time to go through everything you own and potentially share your belongings amongst family and friends so that you don’t have to organize or donate things when you return. Definitely keep a list so you don’t lose track of your stuff!   

Coming up with a plan of what to do with your belongings is important when planning to go abroad. Be sure to also have a solid plan when you return home, so that you won’t be scrabbling to find a place or trying to gather all of your belongings before that next semester kicks off. 

Have You Mapped Your Courses? 

For first and second-year students in college, declaring a major and mapping credits needed can be daunting. However, this is important when planning what’s needed to complete during your remaining time in college!

Find out what fundamental courses are offered in fall or spring, if there are any classes open for winter intersession, and which classes have higher priority to be completed. 

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For those who are upperclassmen, double check which courses are still needed before graduation. Are there any lower level credits (100/200 level courses) or upper level credits (300/400 level courses) still needed to get checked off of your list?

Which courses are required? Are any only offered during spring or fall semester? Which courses are mandatory for graduation and which are considered elective major or minor courses? 

Regardless of your class standing, staying in open communication with an academic advisor is beneficial to gather the correct information and receive supportive advice on courses required.  

Can I Gain Credit In Creative Ways? 

The simple answer is yes! There are multiple ways of gaining credit through studying abroad. Independent studies is one option, where you can work with your professors in coming up with a game plan.

Independent study courses can also be taken as pass/fail or credit/no credit, which means that you don’t have to worry about getting the highest grade, rather, as long as you complete the class successfully, you will pass and receive the appropriate credit.

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Cross-listed courses can also be smart way of completing multiple disciplines in one course, such as political science, policy and history. A cross-listed course is a single course offered collaboratively through two departments or programs. This means that students can get two department requirements completed at the same time! 

Lastly, you can also receive credit for an internship or volunteer hours. Depending on your major and minor, you may be eligible to volunteer your time in exchange for credit while overseas. Be sure to discuss these options with your academic advisor in order to receive accurate information regarding courses, units, and available opportunities. 

Check out our past blog, How to Make Studying Abroad Work For You, for more tips on academically preparing for your study abroad experience!

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