How Virtual Study Abroad's Cultural Modules Bring Peruvian Culture Home: Part 2

At EdOdyssey, we think that learning should be fun! That is why we make sure to include fun cultural activities in our immersion programs - you learn best when you make your coursework come alive! 

This upcoming semester, we are proud to incorporate this key part of global learning through our Virtual Study Abroad program. During your virtual study abroad program, you will not only take online coursework with our partner institution Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, one of Peru’s top universities,  but you can also bring a bit of Peruvian culture into your home with our cultural modules that complement your courses!! 

PERUVIAN CUISINE

No culture is complete without food! Peru is known for its vibrant cuisine. With people living in different kinds of terrains like the coastline to the west, the mountains in the center, and the rainforest toward the east, there is no doubt that you could find all sorts of different dishes from the regions of Peru!

Learn about typical dishes enjoyed in different parts of the country and try your hand at a virtual cooking class from home! Our staff in Peru will have a special recipe that you can make yourself.

Try a taste of Peru without leaving the comfort of your home!

MUSIC AND MOVIES IN PERU

Peru’s long indigenous history, and multiple cultural influences, created the foundation for many kinds of music and how many types of movies there are in the country. Dive into the history behind different genres of Peruvian music - Afro-Peruvian pieces from the early Peruvian republic, cheerful traditional Musica Criolla of African, European, and Andean roots, the different kinds of Andean music, and more modern electronic music - and give some new tunes a listen!

Movies have a special purpose in Peruvian culture. In addition to the classic entertainment they offer, they serve as memorials to past tragedies such as terrorist acts and also as social commentaries of pressing issues such as socioeconomic disparity and class conflict.

Regardless of what movie you watch, you will certainly learn a lot about Peru through its cinema in this unique cultural module. 

FÚTBOL IN  PERU

Fútbol, or soccer as it’s known in the US, holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Peruvians. Games are often filled with enthusiastic fans sporting their favorite jerseys and rooting for their favorite teams. Sports club rivalries within the country are intense, especially the one between Alianza Lima and Universitario de Deportes! Both teams are from Lima and have been competing against each other since the 1920s! 

Peruvian fútbol recently returned to the international sports scene in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This was a major event in Peru’s history; the last time a Peruvian team played in the World Cup was in 1982! You can learn about this significant moment in sports history and more abot Peru’s fanaticism for fútbol in this action-packed module!

CULTURAL IMMERSION FROM HOME

The fun of immersing yourself in a different culture is a vital part of any study abroad experience. Our staff in Peru are excited to share their nation’s culture with you through EdOdyssey’s Virtual Study Abroad program! Experience a bit of Peru from your home this upcoming semester!

Ready to learn more about what virtual study abroad has to offer you? Check out our virtual study abroad here to continue exploring!

Montreal's Uniqueness: A City Full of Food, Art and Accessibility

This staple city in Canada’s Quebec province has its own personality that’s one-of-a-kind! Boasting with plenty of festivals, art, cuisine, and innovation, Montreal also has a sense of comradery and welcomingness! American author and travel enthusiast Mark Twain once called it “the city of a hundred steeples” due to the high number of churches, and that’s just a snapshot of why this city is so special!

Fun Fact: Did you know that Montreal is an island? It’s actually five times larger than Manhattan!

Read on to find out more about Montreal’s food culture, art scene and accessibility!

Accessibility in Montreal

Montreal features one of the largest underground networks in the world! It has a series of tunnels and structures which can offer shortcuts and safety from the harsh cold during winter months.

The Underground City is over twenty miles with links to shops, metro stations, restaurants, and museums (Tousignant)! Known as La Ville Souterraine, the underground network was first built in the 1960s and has since expanded into tunnels, corridors, and plazas (Galipeau). 

Montreal boosts the reputation of enjoying one of the most bike friendly cities in North America, according to the Copenhagenize Index (Fadden)! There are hundreds of miles of cycle lanes that connect together throughout the city. Visitors and locals hop on bikes all year long to see the city sights and ride through different neighborhoods. 

Montreal’s Art Culture 

Montreal has a huge art and graffiti scene that celebrates all types of art and encourages various cultures to embrace themselves. Montreal exudes an open and welcoming atmosphere, given its powerful identity.

In 2006, Montreal was actually named a UNESCO City for its architecture and artistic design (Design Montréal). The city’s commitment to walkability, especially demonstrated by the neighborhoods’ designs which show this in particular, embodies their initiatives to increase happiness for the people in Montreal. 

Photo of Mile End, by Alan Rouiller, Flickr

Montreal’s creative neighborhood, known as Mile End, features artists, musicians, writers, and houses bookstores, entertainment venues, vintage shops, and even a one-hundred-year-old bagel shop (Yogerst). Another distinctive area, referred to as Quartier de Spectacles, has promoted Montreal’s initiative to boost morale and culture for the past two decades (Yogerst).

The prominent district ignites cultural exploration through many forms of art due to its close proximity to the Place des Arts complex, Central Library, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Montreal Opera and Symphony Orchestra. In past years, this district has even displayed musical swing sets for locals to play for free! 

Place des Arts, Photo by Guilhem Vellut, Flickr

delicious food in the City of Saints

There’s more to Montreal than the cherished and widely popular dish known as poutine!  Although the city receives well-deserved praise for its delicious dish, Montreal continues to revolutionize the culinary scene! This city is known for being incredibly innovative and creative with incorporating modern twists to traditional favorites.

The cuisine found in Montreal truly captures the diverse population, with over 120 cultures influencing the city’s gastronomy (Roberts). All communities, including Greek, Italian, Eastern, African, Asian, and Jewish, have shaped the dining scenes in various ways (Roberts). Traditional Quebecois dishes are worth trying, but so is the ever growing and diverse international cuisine!

In the past, students and teachers have visited the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica in the heart of the Old Montreal are in the city. They’ve enjoyed learning how to prepare traditional Quebec cuisine with a local chef, and there’s

Hungry for more? Check out our past blog, “Culture and Cuisine: Savoring Canada’s Legendary Dishes”, for a look into dishes worth trying on your next adventure to Canada! 

Sources 

Fadden, Robyn. “Guide to All Things Biking in Montréal.” Tourisme Montréal, 29 Jan. 2020, www.mtl.org/en/experience/guide-to-all-things-biking.

Galipeau, Tobia. “Underground City Montreal: 16+ Amazing Attractions for 2020: Local Tips.” Local Food Tours - Beer and Food Tours, 16 Jan. 2020, localfoodtours.com/montreal/underground-city-montreal-destinations/.

“Montréal UNESCO City of Design.” Design Montréal, 19 Dec. 2019, designmontreal.com/en/about-montreal-unesco-city-of-design.

Roberts, Simon. “Beyond Poutine: Exploring Montreal's Growing Cuisine.” National Geographic, 29 Sept. 2017, www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/canada/quebec/montreal-restaurants-food-cuisine-global-international/.

Tousignant, Isa. “Your Guide to the Underground City.” Tourisme Montréal, 29 Jan. 2020, www.mtl.org/en/experience/guide-underground-city-shopping.

Yogerst, Joe. “12 Of Montreal's Best Neighborhoods.” CNN, Cable News Network, 16 Mar. 2017, www.cnn.com/travel/article/montreal-most-interesting-neighborhoods/index.html.

Our Bourdain Day Tribute

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.

"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!

In & Around Lima, Peru: Five Fun Day Visits

When in Peru, there are several destinations that are worth visiting, but there are certain areas that can get overlooked. Lima’s history, art and gastronomy is hidden throughout its neighborhoods and smaller cities surrounding the Peruvian capital. Each of these places will expose you to the diversity of Peru and you will without a doubt enjoy your time at these fun and multicultural destinations.

Here are five valuable trips in and around Lima that are worth looking as you look to immerse yourself in Peruvian culture:

1. El Centro (Lima)

When you are in some neighborhoods of Lima, such as Miraflores or San Isidro, they have a very modern and new feeling to them.  In order to gauge and witness the age of Lima, a trip to “El Centro” (the city center of Lima) will give you a sense of the rich history of Lima.

Home to colonial Spain-inspired architecture and the political center of Lima, this area is also constantly buzzing with street performances, parades, and festivals.  Whether you want to eat traditional Peruvian cuisine or Chifa (a mixture of Chinese and Peruvian food) in El Centro’s Chinatown, you will definitely eat well. I have also eaten the best churro in my life in El Centro!

2. Barranco (Lima)

Barranco is Lima’s most artistic neighborhood.  You will be able to visit local art shops, art museums, and exhibitions.  It is super accessible from Miraflores, being only a fifteen to twenty minute car ride.  Barranco’s must-visit spot is El Puente de Suspiros. “Un suspiro” is a sigh or a gasp so you can imagine that this bridge is breath taking!

When you visit for the first time, you must hold your breath for the entire time it takes you to cross the bridge while making a wish.  This site is both romantic and breathtaking, not to mention the awesome views of the Pacific. There are many restaurant options in the area, as well as one of the best ice cream and dessert places in all of Lima called Blu Gelateria right near Plaza Barranco.  Barranco is great for some down-time and you can easily access the beach and take a leisurely walk.

3. Churillos (Lima)

Churillos is known for having many beaches that you can easily get to in Lima without having to travel for hours.  While they are not the most amazing beaches in the world, I found them to be the best that Lima itself has to offer.  

You can do a beach day in Churillos or travel to one of the highest points in Churrillos to take in an amazing panoramic view of all of Lima.  This highest point also has one of the world’s largest statues of Jesus.

4. Callao (Lima)

Want to swim with sea lions? Callao, more specifically El Punto de Callao?  This is the place to visit if you are looking for some adventure locally.  

You can take a boat ride as a part of a tour to have a scenic day out on the water, and also swim with some sea lions if you feeling adventurous!  After a couple hours out at sea, you can treat yourself to some delicious and freshly made chicharron or ceviche that tastes even better by the coast!

5. Ica

A day trip to the city of Ica is a must when in Peru. Unlike Lima, Ica is sunny and warm year-round so you can visit any time of the year!  This trip should be more than one day, as it takes four hours by bus to get to Ica from Lima.  

Once in Ica, you can go sand-boarding while riding in a dune-buggy through the desert. When I was in Ica, I witnessed the most beautiful sunset while in the desert.  Ica is also home to one of South America’s only oasis. Ica is one of Peru’s most beautiful and warm-spirited places, so you will not regret a little trip here!

By traveling to these different destinations in Peru, you can obtain a wider view of what Peru truly has to offer. Even while abroad, it is great to get outside of the neighborhood that you may live in and frequent often. If you do not see these areas you are missing out on absorbing Peru’s regional cultural diversity.  If you find yourself in Lima for most of your time, it is refreshing to expose yourself to different scenery and more nature places. If you find yourself abroad, you must see more than the tourist spots and explore to fully take in all of Peru!  

If you’re interested in learning more about Lima, and Peru in general, definitely read Why Study in Peru! And you can learn more about studying abroad in Peru with EdOdyssey.

Five Myths Surrounding Study Abroad

Whether you’re completely sure that you want to do a study abroad semester during your college career, or you’re thinking about taking a semester abroad, you’ve probably read and heard about the study abroad experience. As you go into this important decision-making process, or if you’re already in it, we want to help you explore this perspective experience.

Although we know it can be life-changing, it can seem scary or uncertain based on myths surrounding study abroad so it’s important to address them.  We encourage you speak with your parents about the idea of going abroad, and in the meantime, we want to share our responses to some myths and opinions surrounding the study abroad experience.

While there can be multiple concerns about studying abroad, the experience is entirely positive and beneficial to one’s academic life and life experience itself.  

Here are 5 myths about study abroad:

1. Safety

Whenever going abroad, one concern you and perhaps your parents may have is the safety of the region in which you will be studying abroad.  However, you must consider that your university would not have a program in place if it was not safe for students.

EdOdyssey makes safety a priority, as safety issues and rules are reviewed on the first day.  There is also a handbook that has been created with tips, advice, and suggestions that is reviewed with study abroad students. Additionally, most students are already away from home to study at their university, so they are accustomed to keeping themselves safe in an environment other than their own home.  

You may have felt nervous or excited about going to college, and this experience is an extension of your college experience. Starting something new can always be scary, but the benefits are endless!

2. Food Concerns

Are you concerned about trying new foods or breaking your routine?  Some students may be picky eaters and not even consider areas to study abroad due to the food.  Prior to travelling abroad to China and Peru, I was not very adventurous with trying new foods.

I quickly overcame this while abroad by trying as many new foods as possible and I was able to expand my tastes in this way.  If one is strongly concerned about food, it can be very limiting to one’s experiences, as one of the most important aspects of studying abroad is try new things and widen one’s view of the world, and this includes trying new foods.  

Food is a gateway to new cultures and customs, as you will get the experience to see and feel how people go about their meals. Additionally, if one has food allergies or special diets, EdOdyssey will work with them to take into account with homestays and restaurants.  

Chances are that you will find foods that you like! You just have to take the leap and try them!

3. Not Adding Value

One negative perception of studying abroad may be that it will not add value to one’s academic experience in college.  One may really enjoy their university and being on campus, but can only view themselves staying on campus for all four years.  

Through studying abroad, not only will you receive an academic experience outside of one’s campus, but also invaluable life experience.  The result of being abroad is personal growth that one may not obtain by staying on campus.

Study abroad has the power to adjust the focus, or the direction, of your studies and even shift your mindset.

4. Not Overcoming Homesickness

One of the largest fears when being abroad is feeling homesick.  When I was in Peru, within the first two weeks, I felt a sense of disconnect from what I was doing.  I loved my classes and everyone I met, but I found myself questioning why I was there but you’ll get past it.

I overcame this by contacting my family and friends more and reflecting on my experience.  I realized that my experience had been nothing but positive, and I solely needed to cherish my time in Peru more. This is a natural feeling that is not bad in any way at all.

Nevertheless, fear of homesickness should not discourage one from going abroad to study.  When studying abroad, you create your own routine abroad, thereby creating a home away from home. You will always have a place to come and visit again, including your homestay family and friends you make abroad!

It is great to go outside of your comfort zone, outside of the bubble in which you may have lived your entire life.

5. FOMO

FOMO or “The Fear of Missing Out” is something that is very relatable for anyone on campus.  The idea of studying abroad may trigger this fear of missing out on any activities at school, opportunities, or losing friendships.  

Although this is a reasonable fear, but you must remember that one of the goals of study abroad is to take time to take a step out to see and appreciate the value in what you have as well as to benefit yourself.  This is a case where it is okay to be selfish because you don’t want to regret not having done it later when you get a full-time job, have more bills to pay, and you’re out in the real world.

It can be harder to make these leaps abroad as we get older so you should do it now while you have the time, energy and mobility to do it. Studying abroad is a personal experience, one that becomes shaped by yourself.

If you are considering studying abroad, it is a great idea for you to take the first step.  This entails talking to someone such as an advisor or study abroad coordinator at your school and coming up with a game plan. When I was considering studying abroad during my gap year, I contacted Peter with EdOdyssey and after talking about the benefits of traveling abroad, it led me to decide to travel to Peru and China.  I did not regret my decision, and if you study abroad, you won’t either!

Please Submit Your Study Abroad Inquiry to start the conversation about studying abroad!

Four Reasons To Visit Spain

Spain is arguably one of the most popular countries to visit in Europe and ranks as one of the top European countries in terms of student visitors. Why do so many students go to western Europe to visit the Iberian Peninsula and why is it a great place for schools to visit?

We believe that their rich traditions, great weather, one of the world’s most spoken languages, and access to other countries with different cultures are the general reasons why young people consider Spain as their destination. The truth is that there is so much more beyond their tasty tapas, history bull fighting, delicious paella and siestas that make it a wonderful country to visit.

Here are four reasons why you should consider visiting Spain:

1. Worldwide Sports Influence 

Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and “La Liga”, the Spanish soccer league, has two of the world’s top five sports franchises in terms of total revenue with both powerhouses Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Many people don’t realize the power and influence that these franchises have worldwide.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Hennessy

Both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are in the ten top of the world’s biggest franchises in terms of total revenue. Not to mention, FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is one of the twenty most followed famous people on social media around the world. Additionally, former FC Barcelona star Neymar and former Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo won some of their most prestigious trophies and biggest tournaments while they played in Spain. In the past, we’ve done a visit to the Real Madrid stadium to see first hand their history of winning that goes back almost a century.

A unique piece of Spain’s sports culture is that they have produced some of the NBA’s biggest basketball superstars, such as Ricky Rubio, the Gasol brothers, and Nikola Mirotic.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Hennessy

2. Art and Music Influence

Simply put, the art that hangs on their walls has survived wars and some classic pieces are older than the United States itself. Students can get easy, and sometimes even free, access to see some of the world’s most famous art collections and experience some of the world’s most recognized music. Famous artists, such as Dalí and Picasso, have left their mark on history and their art continues to be shown around the world.

We embrace the Spanish guitar, and flamenco, but in the past we haven’t just shown you what they look like and how it sounds - we want you to experience it. We’ve had a professional come and show some basic steps and give a look what makes it so special in southern Spain.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Hennessy

Along those same lines, the different regions around Spain embrace their own music. In each major city, they bring bits and pieces of all these regions together so you can see and feel so many different vibes.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Hennessy

3. Pintxos - The Godfather of Tapas

Restaurants and bars around Spain allow people of all ages to enjoy a slice of heaven, or in this case, a slice of fresh bread with a topping of meat, fish, or vegetables similar to a tapa but bigger. Typically known in the Basque Country in Northeastern Spain, these pintxos to take a tapa to another level.

In the past, we’ve done a pintxos tour coupled with an olive oil tasting that allows both teachers and students to try some of the Spain’s freshest ingredients and some of the world’s best olives.

Fun Fact: When Italy had a drought years ago, they didn’t have a big enough of a supply of their olives to meet demand so they imported oils from Spain. Your Italian olive oil from Italy might have used olives from Spain!

Photo courtesy of Christopher Hennessy

4. Food Quality

Some of the best chefs in the world are Spanish, such as Jose Andres, and other top chefs from around the world have come to Spain to learn their traditional techniques and style.  

Do you love seafood? In Spain, the coast is no more than a 7-hour drive from the coast in any part of the country! The food comes in fresh and the quality of the food is noticeable.

Are you ready to take the first step toward making a trip to Spain a reality for your school? Send us your trip preferences and we can start planning to make it happen!