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!

Scholarships That Inspire: Share Your Passion for the Global Community

Education is becoming more and more integrated with virtual learning and now you have access to virtual programs that connect you with people and ideas from different continents. Continuing to engage with people of different backgrounds, and learning about new cultures is vital even if travel opportunities are limited.

Scholarships that increase access to programs are integral to any program, which is why we’re proud to present exciting scholarship opportunities for our virtual programs .

Students are highly encouraged to apply for EdOdyssey’s merit-based scholarship opportunities, and to share with the EdOdyssey team what excites and inspires them about the world. EdOdyssey does its absolute best to provide all students with access to affordable programs so that students of all backgrounds, identities, and socioeconomic statuses are able to learn, explore, discover, and connect with global societies. 

SHARE YOUR PASSION FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

Our scholarship prompts enable you to reflect on your experiences, passions, and inspirations, and to share some of this with the EdOdyssey team. Learn more below about the ways you can convey your passions and desire to explore global perspectives with the EdOdyssey scholarship committee. 

Both of our scholarship prompts encourage you to share your personal experiences, interests, and inspirations, while thinking about how they connect with international education. Global thinking and engagement are central to both of our two prompts for our virtual programs that you’ll see below.

The prompts ask you to reflect on the EdOdyssey values and mission, as well as your personal experiences.

1. Young Global Citizen

This prompt focuses on EdOdyssey’s vision for students to become Global Citizens. Global Citizens are always looking to expand their knowledge of the world, gain an international scope of social problems and systems, and develop crucial communication and cultural competency skills to understand people from unique backgrounds. 

The first option within this prompt is to describe an international leader who you look up to and discuss the qualities which make them an inspiring global citizen. The second option asks you to be more introspective and explain what you would like to learn from the world as a global citizen.

It also challenges you to think about some new skills you could gain from EdOdyssey’s programs and how your global education could inspire others to also become global citizens. 

2. A Diverse and Connected World

This second prompt focuses on the highly connected world which all of us are a part of and how you expand your understanding of humanity from international exposure. The prompt asks you to indicate a time when you had a meaningful interaction with someone, or a group of people, from a different background, culture, or country than your own. 

Follow up questions will guide your response as you think about how this interaction influences your desire to engage in international studies, and connect with people of different cultures or backgrounds from your own. Additionally, we ask you to think more broadly about the importance of meaningful dialogue or shared experiences with people of different backgrounds. 

CHOOSING A SUBMISSION THAT REFLECTS YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL

You are encouraged to use your talents and submit the application material that you believe best represents you as a person and learner, and that demonstrates your strengths and passions. The options for submission are a Poetry Portfolio, two short written responses, one long essay response, a video, or Photography. All submissions require some sort of written component, whether it is the essay option, or a caption to accompany a video or photography submission. 

SUBMISSION EVALUATion

Our scholarship committee judges entries based on how well participants reflect our company values of Authenticity, Positivity, Harmony, Passion, Professionalism, and Adaptability. Additionally, students are encouraged to reflect on our motto “Travel Changes People, People Change the World” and how it relates to their journey.

Our scholarship committee looks for insightful responses from enthusiastic students who are excited to open themselves to new experiences from different cultures. Organization of the essay or entry and whether the student responded to the prompt completely will also be taken into consideration when evaluating entries. 

CREATIVE FREEDOM

The goal of these scholarships is to enable excited and eager learners to participate in EdOdyssey’s virtual programs. While our team asks that you follow the scholarship instructions and guidelines, we also want to encourage creativity and allow some flexibility. 

The various submission options allow you to showcase your best style of work, and be able to respond to either one or both prompts depending on your preference. High quality, thoughtfully created submissions are what we are looking for and excited to receive from you! Scholarships are available for students registered in any Virtual Study Abroad program or the Virtual Medical Spanish course. 

As a company that values authenticity, we look forward to hearing your experiences and learning about how your personal passions, experiences, goals, and interests relate to international education.  

To learn more about EdOdyssey’s new virtual programs, head over to the EdOdyssey website!

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Pandemics: Gain Cultural Competencies, Global Perspective on Peruvian Society With EdOdyssey

Pandemics cause widespread grief and destruction of human life. In addition to COVID-19, various forms of disease and their consequences in health persist in societies around the world and continue to affect large, often particularly vulnerable, populations. 

Through the virtual study abroad experience, students will have the opportunity to supplement learning from experienced professors at the top university in Peru with conversations with the EdOdyssey team surrounding various Peruvian cultural topics. Students will be enrolled in a virtual two-credit course at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, a prestigious university in Lima. 

This unique course offering, Pandemics, Global History & Peruvian Society, forms a part of Virtual Study Abroad and engages students in a range of conversations relevant to global public health. Students interested in health topics, international studies, or learning more about different cultures will gain knowledge surrounding the causes, responses, and results of pandemics throughout modern history. 

To contextualize the knowledge learned during the course, students will engage in a weekly cultural module with the EdOdyssey team in Peru. Learn more about the course and how you’ll also have an opportunity to extend your knowledge beyond the virtual classroom!

A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE ON PANDEMICS IN PERU

A particularly unique aspect of this virtual study abroad experience is the support which students will receive from the EdOdyssey team in Lima, Peru. One of our team members, Luis Garcia, graduated from PUCP and continues to live in Lima. As EdOdyssey’s Cultural Advisor for EdOdyssey’s Study Abroad program, he shares some remarks on why he is excited for this course: 

“This course ties current events with historical records, how countries and governments have reacted to pandemic situations in the past, and what consequences those decisions had in their societies. Outbreaks like the Spanish flu resulted in tremendous loss of lives and there is much to be learned about how we can take on those subjects at a multidisciplinary level. 

Fast forward to now, Peruvian policy and decisions on how to confront the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in negative consequences for the economy. I’m excited about this course because it opens discussions about how developing countries face different challenges when shelter in place is recommended, as their economy relies heavily on day to day activities. 

Much has been said also about how societies comply with health-related recommendations such as mask wearing. In Peruvian culture, why do most Peruvians still go outside despite the virus? Some say they need to do so in order to survive economically. These needs need to be taken into account when shelter in place is recommended. Without considering the peoples’ needs, the Peruvian economy may be irreconcilably damaged.” 

RELEVANCE TO GLOBAL CURRENT EVENTS

Incorporating the cultural module alongside the course offered at PUCP will provide students with an opportunity to use the knowledge learned in class and to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic and other pandemics have affected both Peruvian society and U.S. society. Moreover, students will discuss how different governments responded to the current pandemic, thinking about ways in which responses could have been improved to best protect the community. 

Discussions about different pandemics throughout history will highlight how different cultures, socioeconomic realities, and geographical regions are disproportionately vulnerable to pandemics and other major health crises. Learning about global inequalities positions students to go forth in the future and combat injustices and find solutions to such inequalities. 

COMBINING (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 more than willing to answer questions!

WHO IS THE IDEAL STUDENT FOR THIS COURSE?

Students who have a curiosity and passion for expanding their global knowledge surrounding public health, policy, and history, will thrive in this engaging educational opportunity.

Health topics, such as pandemics, affect all societies and responses require teamwork amongst numerous participants and organizations. Whether you are thinking about or pursuing a career in government, health professions, social services, or international studies, this course will touch on relevant ideas and important topics that you may find important as you navigate your professional career. 

The course will also be instructed in English, providing access to those who are interested in the relevant themes and have English as their dominant language. The course is Peru-centric and taught by Peruvian professors, but NO prior Spanish knowledge is required! 

MAKE THE MOST OF OUR GLOBALIZED WORLD

Education during this Fall semester and headed into 2021 is going to look different than what most of us are used to. New technologies are being integrated into classrooms and virtual teaching in order to progress student learning and ensure safety for all as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. 

EdOdyssey’s new Virtual Study Abroad program, that integrates PUCP courses with a cultural module, is a great way to jump on the bandwagon of new educational experiences and take advantage of the ability to engage with and learn from people on another continent. There is always something new to learn from those who have different life experiences and expertise!

Want to learn more about virtual study abroad?

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?