The EdOdyssey Educator: May 2021 Newsletter

Teacher Appreciation Week

Sharing our love for teachers with our community.

Earlier this month, we expressed our gratitude for educators. They’ve gone around the world with us, and their work in and out of the classroom inspires their students to take on challenges while abroad.

To our faculty chaperones and to all teachers, we continue to give thanks for the pivotal role that you’ve played in our lives. Best of luck as you finish up the school year!

See how we started Teacher Appreciation Week on Instagram.

Participation in Global Panel Discussion

Sharing an international perspective to Boston community & beyond.

The Boston Area Study Abroad Association (BASAA) invited our own Luis Garcia to provide his Peruvian perspective in their worldwide virtual panel discussion on “Navigating Study Abroad in a COVID-19 World”. Over 100 attendees from around the globe gained unique insights into some of Peru’s public policy and the communication between medical providers and the local community in Lima.

This week, Luis started sharing his knowledge and passion for culture with our Latinx Patient summer cohort of aspiring and current healthcare workers.

Learn more about why cultural competencies matter in our Latinx Patient program.

Program Highlight: Florence Semester Abroad

Highlighting what makes the home of the Renaissance a special place.

World renown art, famous sculptures, and ancient streets have inspired generations of locals and global citizens. Around this time of year, the end of the spring season fills the region of Tuscany with warm weather and breathes even more life into the city.

We’re excited to share the beauty and history of this world famous city with students during our semester program this upcoming school year.

This Month’s Program Reminders & Deadlines:

• Latinx Patient Program Application: Fall Registration - Enrolling

• Florence Study Abroad Application: Fall Deadline - May 30, 2021

• EdOdyssey Semester Airfare Promo: Fall ‘21 & Spring ‘22 - Available

Featured Blog of the Month:

“Why Your International Friendships Will Last A Lifetime”

This month, we reflect on what makes study abroad connections so special. If you’ve studied abroad, or you’re thinking about it, you’ll gain insights into the timeless value of interpersonal connections that come from an experience abroad.

Read the full blog

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 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

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:

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.

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!

Eight Reasons Why You Should Consider a Virtual Study Abroad Experience

Written by Guest Blogger: Sara Cavalieri

So your plan was to study abroad this semester or the next semester. Maybe you were planning to do your entire degree overseas.

You did the research; maybe you had even chosen your destination, applied, got accepted, booked your flights and were all set to begin your adventure.

And then COVID-19 hit, and everywhere you looked, borders were closing, flights were being cancelled, cases were spiking, and there was just a large amount of uncertainty on every corner.

Now what? Enter… virtual experiences; or virtual study abroad if you like.

With so many of us finding extra time in our day from not commuting, or traveling as much, here are 8 reasons why you should consider enrolling in a virtual experience:

1. They’re confirmed – How many other activities can say the same? As businesses are forced to open and close from one day to the next, there’s nothing ‘uncertain’ here; with a virtual program, consider your plans a lock. Having that ‘confirmation’ sure would feel nice, right?

2. They’re comfortable – It’s culture without so much of the shock. You will often find yourself in a virtual classroom with students and teachers from around the globe; giving you an instant network. And it may be that you’ll be able to travel with this group at a later stage, making the transition and process of forming connections so much easier.

3. They’re flexible – You can often tailor your virtual experience around your job or other responsibilities. When is it most convenient for you to “leave your local behind’?

4. They look great on your resume – If you’re applying for college, grad school or jobs soon, they may want to know how you engaged with your subject area when you couldn’t do so in person. Virtual experiences are an excellent activity to add to your resume, as they are great talking points and examples of how you took the initiative to further your learning and thought outside the box.

5. They’re safe – You won’t have to worry about picking up the virus or potentially having to get vaccinated for other diseases; you get to enjoy the experience from the comfort of your own home/study space.

6. More money in your pocket – Without having to pay for flights or accommodation, the investment is lower. This means that some students who wouldn’t normally have been able to go overseas at all can participate.

7. No passport or visa required – And this means you don’t have to plan 3-6 months in advance. You may even be able to jump on a program just a few days away. Have a look and see what’s out there!

8. Discover new interests – Maybe you’re interested in Italian cuisine and this type of course isn’t offered where you live. Or maybe you’re in college and want to get credit for an elective not offered at your institution. Either way, virtual experiences give you the space to explore new interests that may or may not be relevant to your future career but in fact allow you to develop as a more well-rounded person.

Regardless of the program you choose, you’ll no doubt reap the benefits from adding a global flavor to your learning.

This includes increasing your cultural competencies, improving your communication skills and getting to delve deeper into a topic of interest, gaining a wide range of perspectives—and these are exactly the skills every employer is looking for nowadays.

But if nothing else, virtual experiences allow you to transport yourself away from the stresses and pressures of everyday life in a pandemic—something we all need to do from time to time.

Sara Cavalieri is the Founder/CEO of College Apps Abroad.

College Apps Abroad is an Independent Educational Consultant that specializes in providing advice and guidance on applying for college and grad school overseas in places such as the UK, Australia, Ireland and more.

Learn more about College Apps Abroad here.

The views and opinions expressed in guest features on EdOdyssey’s blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of EdOdyssey. Any content provided by our bloggers or guest authors are of their opinion.

Exploring the Past, Present and Future of Peru Through Virtual Study Abroad: Cultural Modules Part 1

As part of our Virtual Study Abroad program next semester, you will gain an inside, cultural perspective on Peru with our partners at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). To complement these courses, you will enjoy cultural modules that will provide you with an in-depth view of the past, present, and future of the country. 

Through unique cultural module topics, you’ll learn from EdOdyssey’s local team about Peru’s intricate history, diverse geography and cultural traditions, past and present movements for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. You’ll gain insight and perspective of the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru while developing a deeper understanding of Peru.

You’ll connect valuable academic knowledge from your courses to understand a wider context for various socioeconomic factors and pressing issues affecting Peru today. 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PERU

Peru was home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The earliest signs of human activity in the country date back thousands of years, and to this day vast structures like Machu Picchu are still standing in the mountains of Peru. With such a long past marked by drastic changes, learning about the historical background of Peru from our Peruvian colleagues is sure to bring you a new perspective of the country.

One of our first cultural modules will walk you through significant changes in Peru’s past, such as the shift from empire to colony to independent country. Through this session, you will explore how dramatic events have shaped Peru into the country it is today. Gain the background knowledge you need to better understand not only the content of your courses in the virtual study abroad program, but also other cultural modules as well that explore the geographical and cultural diversity of Peru.

REGIONS & TRADITIONS

Imagine you are planning a trip to Peru. What places do you imagine?

Many people would name the large cities of Lima and Cuzco as their main destinations.

However, our Peruvian team would tell you that Lima is not Peru! The country has several different regions outside the main cities; there are towns and places on the coast, in the mountains, and within the rainforest of the country.

With so many different terrains and distinct areas, there is a lot of diversity and domestic migration in Peru. Learn about how people from different regions brought their cultural beliefs and traditions with them as they move to other places in the country!

GENDER AND LGBTQ+ RIGHTS IN PERU

Issues such as sexism, homophobia, and other types of identity-based discrimination are common around the world, and these obstacles affect millions of people every day.

Movements pushing for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and the elimination of prejudice based on a person’s identity are also becoming more widespread, and Peru is one of the countries heavily involved in these issues.

Machismo is a phenomenon that contributes to sexist and patriarchal attitudes in Peru and other Latin American countries. Through our module on gender and LGBTQ+ rights in Peru, you can learn about how machismo affects Peruvian society and how it has impacted women and the LGBTQ+ community. Learn about the past and present movements to address these issues and gain a new perspective on one of the most relevant topics in the 21st century!

PERU RIGHT NOW

In a connected world, an issue that might begin in one country can impact others around the world. This is the case with the COVID-19 outbreak, which has become a global health issue. Peru is one of the many countries affected by the pandemic, and because of this, 2020 has been a year of large-scale socioeconomic change in the country.

Learn about how COVID-19 has affected Peruvian society by fueling rumors online, forcing people who moved into Lima from more remote areas to return into the rural parts of the country, and causing massive strain on the health system. Since the pandemic is worldwide and affects each country differently, our module on Peru in 2020 is the perfect opportunity to look at how COVID-19 has impacted a place outside the United States and how present actions can affect the future of the world.

ENHANCE YOUR LEARNING

Our cultural modules are more than extra lectures outside of class: they are an opportunity to give yourself a more in-depth perspective of Peru. Your Peruvian educators will not be the only people you learn from in these sessions: you can also learn from your classmates and guest speakers in the modules! 

You will be able to view Peru not through the perspective of an American student, but through the eyes of a local Peruvian. You will gain the knowledge to navigate the complexities of different socioeconomic in the country and how they affect life in the present and future. Furthermore, you will be able to take your new cultural analysis skills and apply them to explore the issues affecting other countries in the world.

Bring your virtual semester to a new level by registering for EdOdyssey’s classes and cultural modules!

Cultural Modules for Medical Spanish: The Importance of Cultural Context in Treating a Latinx Patient

Anyone who speaks more than one language can tell you that vocabulary and terminology are not the only things that change when communicating with someone in a different tongue: cultural knowledge and context are crucial to effective and accurate communication. This is certainly true for many Latinx communities in the United States. Along with the English-Spanish language barrier, cultural differences and fear of cultural misunderstandings also hinder communication for Latinx people and can make reaching out for help especially difficult. 

This issue is especially prevalent in the American healthcare system, where the options to find doctors fluent in Spanish or call an interpreter to relay information is not enough to make many Latinx people feel comfortable visiting a hospital. This is where cultural competence makes a difference: a culturally-informed healthcare professional will be better able to understand patients and handle their cases more effectively. Learn how you can increase your cultural competence alongside your Spanish skills by understanding not only why cultural knowledge matters for treating Latinx patients, but also how cultural values and expectations for healthcare affect the Latinx community’s experience in the American healthcare system! 

HOW PEOPLE FROM LATINX COMMUNITIES ADDRESS HEALTH ISSUES

In the United States, people from the Latinx community are less likely to get proper healthcare, whether in the form of routine checkups or more advanced treatments for specific injuries or health issues. According to a 2014 article from The Atlantic, “Latinos are the racial and ethnic group least likely to visit the doctor. More than one-fourth of Latino adults in the United States lack a usual healthcare provider and almost half of Latinos never visit a medical professional during the course of the year.”  (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor)

While some attribute the smaller numbers of Latinx people enrolled in American healthcare to factors such as eligibility status or income, there are other reasons people from Latinx communities might not go to the hospital. Amanda Machado, the author of the article, writes that many Latinx people who qualify for medical benefits and can afford their medical bills can also be reluctant to see a doctor. She concludes that since Latinx communities are still less likely  to get medical treatment regardless socioeconomic statuses, there must be a larger overarching reason why this is the case: culture. 

Machado cites several anecdotes about the custom of self-medication in Latinx communities. She writes that people from Latinx countries like Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru turn to homemade remedies derived from plants to treat ailments instead of asking doctors for medical advice and picking up medicine from pharmacies. In her words, “These traditions still hold strong in many parts of Latin America today, providing many Latinos with a family custom of treating yourself without a professional doctor’s help.”  (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor)

In the cultural modules of the Medical Spanish and Latinx Culture course, you will learn about specific myths and beliefs people from Latinx countries hold about certain herbal remedies. You will also gain insight on other ways people from Latinx communities self-medicate for their symptoms. 

CULTURAL STRUGGLES OF LATINX PATIENTS IN HEALTHCARE

The traditional reliance on natural cures is not the only reason many Latinx people do not go to the doctor; for many people from Latinx countries, there is a different cultural ideal for a doctor-patient relationship that Machado describes as “personal, welcoming, and concerned for the individual as a whole.”  (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor) She adds that because many doctors do not get to spend much time for each appointment and “lack time to establish relationships with patients,” many Latinx people find American doctors “untrustworthy” and their interactions with them “uncomfortable.” (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor)

As a result, many people in the Latinx community do not feel comfortable disclosing information such as symptoms and other health issues with doctors. In order to encourage patients to speak openly about their health with doctors, it is important for healthcare students and professionals to help make hospital visits more comfortable for Latinx people and to foster positive relationships similar to the ones that are the cultural ideal in Latinx countries.

Being aware of this cultural expectation is the first step to making American healthcare more welcoming to Latinx patients. 

Making patients feel comfortable in medical settings is crucial to the health of the larger Latinx community. Many Latinx people have health conditions that require medical attention but are unwilling to get treatment from someone who does not understand their culture. This drives some patients to go to extreme lengths to find a doctor from the same ethnicity or from a similar background.

One of the Latinx people that Machado interviews for The Atlantic shares that her mother “would wait five hours in a waiting room to see a Latino doctor...rather than visit a non-Hispanic physician” because she wanted the level of confianza, or trust, that you feel with someone Hispanic.” (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor) 

This is where EdOdyssey’s partnership with El Sol, a certified language school based in Lima, Peru, provides valuable insight into the confianza, or confidence, that Latinx patients look for in their doctors. Not only will your language instructors teach you important words to use when speaking to patients in Spanish, but they will also provide you with an opportunity to learn about healthcare directly from a Latinx perspective - all of El Sol’s educators are Latinx themselves and will teach you about Latinx healthcare from experience.  

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING CULTURE ALONGSIDE LANGUAGE

EdOdyssey’s Medical Spanish and Latinx Culture course is not just any online class - it is a program that infuses key cultural aspects with vocabulary specialized for medical settings. As Machado writes in the end of her article, “Healthcare workers can address these issues by offering their services on a sliding scale and translating health information into Spanish.

But healthcare professionals also need to be aware of the cultural values that Latino patients find significant.” (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor) Learning about Latinx culture and understanding how it relates to healthcare for the Latinx population is crucial to creating culturally-competent medical professionals who can make Latinx patients feel comfortable and confident in their care. 

Participants in this program will gain a holistic and culturally-informed perspective on healthcare for the Latinx community through expert educators who know and live the Latinx medical experience. You will learn about how some Latinx communities turn to self-medication instead of professional evaluation for health issues to why many Latinx patients feel uncomfortable with the lack of the close doctor-patient relationship that is expected in Latin-American countries.

Additionally, you will be making great progress toward becoming a culturally-competent healthcare professional!

Want to learn more about the program?

Sources

Machado, Amanda. “Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor.” The Atlantic, Atlantic

Media Company, 7 May 2014, www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/why-many-latinos-dread-going-to-the-doctor/361547/.

Understanding the Importance of Indigenous Rights and Legal Pluralism: A Virtual Study Abroad Experience

People of drastically different cultures are connected globally in numerous ways. In this globalized world, cultural knowledge related to human rights, interculturality, history and traditions is important to building context around these topics and understanding their sociocultural impacts on the present. Through cultural modules and coursework, you’ll gain a global perspective with a specific focus on Peru, about indigenous rights and how cultural diversity and ethnic identity play a crucial role in construction of government policies. 

You’ll have an opportunity to learn from professors in Lima, Peru through the virtual course in collaboration with Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) and you’ll extend that knowledge into your discussions, presentations, and more during your cultural module sessions.

In addition to your two-credit PUCP course, you’ll gain cultural insight through the virtual classroom experience that will be a fun and exciting opportunity to learn more about Peru, its culture, and society. Discussions with the EdOdyssey team members, and guest speakers, will bring topics learned in the PUCP courses to life and will provide additional room for discussion.

Additionally, this will be a great chance for students to better get to know each other, and create community together and with the EdOdyssey local team based in Peru. 

COURSE PREVALENCE TO THE GLOBALIZED WORLD

Earth is home to over 300 million indigenous people. According to the United Nations, “indigenous peoples are the holders of unique languages, knowledge systems and beliefs and possess invaluable knowledge of practices for the sustainable management of natural resources” (UN). On every continent, indigenous people must navigate their place within society and their, often complicated, relationship with the national government. 

This course will use human rights and interculturality approaches to analyze problems of indigenous populations and their relations with the state. Moreover, students will learn how historical events influence laws related to the rights of indigenous peoples, and what the practical applications of legal pluralism are. Focusing specifically on Peru, the Peruvian professors will draw on their education, experience, and research in order to teach these intriguing and important topics. 

How This Course Connects To Your Future

Cultural competency is key in any profession that you pursue. Moreover, indigenous people and groups live all over the world. In the U.S., for example, Native Americans face similar challenges to other global indigenous peoples, despite having certain legal statuses or protections as indigenous people, or as people living on state-protected reservations. 

The discussion of Indigenous Rights also gives us the opportunity to reconcile the contemporary idea of progress with how Indigenous people view the use of their land. Contemporary views of progress associate this word with the construction of cities and the creation of industry in lands previously occupied by nature. On the other hand, many indigenous peoples share a culture in which progress is understood as an ever increasing connection with the natural resources available to them and their conservation through sustainable use and balance. Understanding this observable fact is key when answering the question of what rights is a person or people entitled to.

More broadly, understanding human rights issues promotes an equitable world for all people, and for progress toward a better future for all. Understanding and valuing the diversity of future colleagues, roommates, friends, or family creates a safe environment for learning and supports successful relationship building. 

Students will leave this experience having learned from highly knowledgeable Peruvian professors and EdOdyssey team members. Knowledge and demonstrated interest in subjects that are “off the beaten path” will make students stand out in the future, as well as be able to provide new and important perspectives to conversations with peers and fellow academics. The contacts that students make during this virtual experience, both with fellow classmates and with educators, will be useful tools in the future. 

Combining the Virtual Classroom and Culture

During this program, students will learn about Peruvian culture with the EdOdyssey team in order to best put new knowledge from their PUCP course into context. Various presenters and presentations will cover different themes related to Peruvian society, culture, and life, helping students to best understand the course material. 

Additionally, there will be numerous opportunities to ask questions to and hear from people with different perspectives. Professors, study abroad alumni, EdOdyssey founder, team members from Peru, staff, and interns will all be sharing their experiences, insights and knowledge with students, and be more than willing to answer questions!

Beyond Academics: A Peruvian Experience

A key aspect of this virtual study abroad experience will be that students engage with the EdOdyssey team from Lima, Peru. We asked Luis Garcia, a PUCP graduate and EdOdyssey’s Cultural Advisor in Lima, about what he’s most excited about in regards to this course and here’s what he had to say: 

“Historically, indigenous people in Peru have been relegated to a position of subordination and their needs have rarely been taken into account when it comes to Government Policy.

I am excited for this course because it is an opportunity to explore the culture of Indigenous People in Peru and vindicate their importance as the first people who shared their land with nature on Peruvian soil. I am also excited about this course because it discusses important matters related to the property of our Indigenous Communities and their inclusion into the Peruvian legal system. 

It’s also great that we will have the opportunity to discuss this with other students because many countries around the world share their territories with Indigenous Communities and this can lead to discussions that result in the future creation of policy to recognize Universal Indigenous Rights.”

MAKE THE MOST OF THE UNIQUE TIMES

As COVID-19 continues to affect the world, educational opportunities continue to shift with the times. The EdOdyssey team is excited to join you on this virtual journey and support your cultural and academic growth along the way.

Use this semester to create a new network of students and diverse professionals, and to expand both your global knowledge and cultural competencies. If you still have a few years left in high school or college, or you’ve graduated, you’ll have a chance to get a sense of what it may be like to study abroad and travel in Peru. 

The world is full of exciting new information and opportunities and this is a wonderful way to expand your knowledge without going an inch beyond your computer. Well, except when you join in on the cultural module’s cooking class!

Want to learn more about virtual study abroad?