Spain Immersion Program - Student Interview

Matt is a rising college that will study abroad in South America later this year. When selecting a study abroad destination he was mindful of choosing a location that allowed him to polish his Spanish language skills and would open his eyes to another culture.

Matt's experience with traveling and studying languages began several years ago in 2014 when Matt participated in a 4-week long exchange that brought him to Spanish city of Cordova, Spain. During his time abroad he explored the country, lived with a host family and attended classes at a local school. Upon returning, Matt and his family also hosted a student at their home who attended classes at Matt's local school in Boston. 

Matt had a fantastic experience that continues to inform his studies and effect his global perspective today. So much so that this summer 2018, Matt returned to work with EdOdyssey as a Summer Intern to work with international students spending time in New England!

Below is an excerpt of Matt's alumni interview with GoOversees:

---

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I had a hunger to see more of the world. I also chose to go to Spain specifically as I studied eleven years of Spanish, and something about it just wasn't clicking yet. Peter convinced me that the power of immersion would have tangible effects towards my language acquisition in Spanish, so I went for it! Had I not, I would not be where I am academically today, nor would my Spanish be as proficient as it is. I swear by it!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The trip was cumulatively all-inclusive. The cost of the trip provided a group of five students and our trip moderator, Peter, with individual host families for two weeks, paired with students from Colegio de Fomento Ahlzahir, our host school. Transportation on long-distance train rides, buses, and vans were provided on our trips around southern Spain, as was admission into destinations such as the Alhambra.

The only thing we had to pay for were optional souvenirs and food (if we were not home or at a host family's house for meals). I did not spend a lot of money out-of-pocket.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I was incredibly nervous to go and immerse myself in another culture and language with which I was not confident in my ability. I was nervous to be alone with a complete group of strangers for my host family, and wondered if I would even be able to communicate with them.

My advice is to not let the hesitations and "what-ifs" get in your way of just saying yes and doing it.

Being able to see the world from a completely different perspective in another country is an opportunity that you simply should never pass up.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was terrified that my Spanish would not be good enough to adequately communicate with my host family. I had taken Spanish in school and learned countless chapters of vocabulary, but my grammar and speaking-fluency never worked together. To resolve this, Peter made us sign a language pact once we arrived at the airport in Spain. It was a promise to try our best and only speak Spanish – even to one another.

After a few days (and numerous corrections from my host father), my fluency began to improve as I began to literally change the language I was thinking in. Once you stop trying to translate everything in your head or pick apart every word in a conversation instead of just trying to comprehend the 'big picture', you literally start to think in your target language and maybe even dream in it – I know I did.

This short time in Spain did more for my Spanish than four years in the classroom. I jumped into A.P. Spanish the following year without taking the level four course right before it, as Spanish became my second language, and my confidence improved. Now in college, I plan to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina for six months because I want to perfect my Spanish and achieve fluency. By committing to my target language and exclusively speaking it through our language pact, I overcame a fear that nearly held me back from going in the first place!

Read this full alumni interview here and meet other alumni and discover more about EdOdyssey's GoOverseas Custom Trip page.

EdOdyssey joins the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative

EdOdyssey has joined the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative to help more Americans to gain international experience through study abroad programs. EdOdyssey joins an impressive list of more than 740 other organizations, universities and schools that have already committed to IIE.

IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling and diversifying the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. EdOdyssey has pledged to work with alumni and young professionals to share stories of study abroad, host events and forums to discuss international travel and increase the number of scholarships it offers to students to study abroad. Earlier this year, EdOdyssey also implemented a new financial aid policy that guarantees funds for all students with demonstrated need.

Peter McGovern, President & Global Founder of EdOdyssey, is enthusiastic about this new partnership. Officially announcing the partnership to his colleagues Peter talked about how, study abroad changed his life and noted his enthusiasm to "work alongside a coalition of great schools, universities and organizations to promote a common goal: help more students discover the world.”

Generation Study Abroad partners now includes over 400 colleges and universities of all sizes and types across the country and around the world, as well as 19 governments, 50 education associations, more than 100 international partners, and 100 study abroad, K-12, and social network organizations who have committed to specific goals to increase the number of U.S. students studying abroad. Commitments include actions to diversity the population of students who participate in study abroad and provide additional financial resources to make this possible.

IIE launched Generation Study Abroad in the belief that the number and proportion of today’s students who graduate with an educational experience abroad is far too low. Currently, fewer than 10 percent of all U.S. college students study abroad at some point in their academic career, according to the Open Doors Report on International and Educational Exchange published by IIE with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Generation Study Abroad aims to grow participation in study abroad so that the annual total reported will reach 600,000 by the end of the decade.

“Globalization has changed the way the world works, and employers are increasingly looking for workers who have international skills and expertise,” says Dr. Allan Goodman, President of IIE. “Studying abroad must be viewed as an essential component of a college degree and critical to preparing future leaders.”

About Generation Study Abroad

IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to significantly increase study abroad participation by bringing employers, governments, associations, and others together to build on current best practices and find new ways to extend study abroad opportunities and resources to tens of thousands of college students whose needs are not currently served by existing programs. Generation Study Abroad will sustain an ongoing dialogue about the need for more students from all backgrounds and in all fields to gain international experience. This will include research to identify and break down barriers hindering students from studying abroad, communications to share strategies and best practices to increase study abroad, and fundraising to mobilize additional financial resources.  IIE will also hold a Summit on Generation Study Abroad on October 1-3, 2017 in Washington, D.C. to engage stakeholders in higher education and all commitment partners.

About EdOdyssey

EdOdyssey custom designs educational programs for students around the world. The organization creates amazing student immersion in Peru, China, Spain, the USA and beyond for grade 6-12 students. In addition, EdOdyssey offer a semester and full year study abroad program in Lima, Peru for undergraduate students in addition to a briefer summer term. Founded in 2014, EdOdyssey is a team of educators passionate about sharing the world with students. To date, its team has flown just shy of 1,000,000 miles with students, spent more than 13,450 hours in the classroom led 896 days and counting of programming.

About the Institute of International Education

The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,200 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.