EdOdyssey's Epic Six Day Finale For Fall Study Abroad 2018

Every semester our study abroad program includes three excursions to make sure students return home with the most holistic glimpse of Peru. As one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world, it has 84 of the 108 ecosystems and 28 of 32 possible climates. Wouldn’t you want to see and experience as many as possible?

We always save Cusco for the end because it’s a special way for our local staff at EdOdyssey to wrap up an emotional semester abroad with our students. As a final touch, this past semester our study abroad students took an amazing trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu with Patty Valencia, our Peruvian Program Coordinator.

We want to give you all a quick look back at what our end of semester trip with our students looked like this past fall semester because we wanted to leave our students with a fantastic send off with the most authentic look at life in Peru.

Day 1 - The Arrival: Mental & Physical Preparation  

During the first day in Cusco, the students and our team took it easy and stayed in the city of Cusco. At an altitude of around 11,000 feet, they got adjusted to the local feel. This first day, they acclimated to the local climate. The next five days involve an emotional roller coaster packed with visiting more than five cities, two trains, countless hours of hiking, an experience with a shaman and a meal that they’ll never forget.

Day 2 - Hospitality & Haggling: The Local Experience

They visited one of the nearby local Amaru communities and saw what it’s like to live like a location. They saw a presentation in Quechua - the local language in the village - and the community members had the students dress in the local attire. During their day in the community, they learned how to harvest beans and how the locals add their bright colors and designs to the typical clothing.

It wouldn’t have been a trip to the local community without some local hospitality. The locals had them try some of their famous local potatoes, natural teas, and quinoa to later show them some local goods in case they wanted to buy anything.

After the students learned how to live like the locals, they put a semester’s worth of Spanish to the ultimate language test: bargaining and buying at the local artisanal market. Patty told us that it was the first time that she saw such a big group of visiting students haggle over prices, and her reaction was priceless:  

“Incredible! It was the Spanish immersion talking!”

— Patty Valencia, EdOdyssey's Program Coordinator

After they bought an assortment of goods that ranged from fun pants to Peruvian-style sweaters the group visited a farm with alpacas and llamas where they got to feed them! As they took the road to Machu Picchu, they made a few stops along the way. Now, if you go by yourself or with an agency, you would probably go straight to the town where Machu Picchu is, but you’d miss a wild ride!

Day 3: Four Cities, Marching Toward Machu Picchu

On the third day, the group went to see the famous salt pools in Maras that are world-known Peruvian pink salt, as seen above. Later, they had lunch in Urubamba and saw the ancient ruins in Ollantaytambo before catching the train to Aguas Calientes. While on the train, everyone started to look over their pictures taken during their jam-packed trip, but one of the students stopped Patty to ask:

“How can you look at photos right now and miss one of the most beautiful train rides ever?”

Needless to say, everyone put their cameras away as they began to leave the mountainous region of Cusco and approached the wilderness and jungle on the way to Machu Picchu.   

Day 4 - Finally Arrived: Machu Picchu

Some students woke up earlier and took another route up to Machu Picchu known as “La puerta del sol”, or sun gate. They communicated with Patty through WhatsApp as they took an alternative route with marked signs that lead up to “The Old Peak”, which is the translated name of Machu Picchu from Quechua to English.

After they arrived to the peak, they learned about the ancient history behind the ancient Incan civilization and how it was rediscovered. After hiking all day, they took their market haggling to the next level to get some local souvenirs before taking the ride from Aguas Calientes to Cusco where they slept.

Day 5 - An Evening With A Shaman & Guinea Pig dinner

In the morning, some rested while others others enjoyed going to the seven-colored mountain. In the afternoon, the farewell was a special event with a local shaman that performed a ritual that read into their respective futures in private that left them as happy as well as fascinated.

After they enjoyed partaking in ritual, they went to try one of the local delicacies - guinea pig. They tried it but we think that one time was enough!

Day 6 - The Final City Tour, The Predestined Farewell

They did a quick tour of Cusco before heading home to the United States. As fate would have it, their flights got delayed. They took that time with Patty to recount their orientation, their trips, and to reflect on everything that they learned during their time in Peru. One of the students reflected in their excursion to Ica where the students spent the nights in tents in the dessert and under the stars as one of their favorite moments of the semester.

We hope that all of our students come away with moments that make them feel the magic of another culture. Whether they enjoy the more quiet moments or the unsettling moments that challenge their comfort zone, the entire experience has taught us that we have to appreciate the moments with the people around us.

Ready to take the leap to see Peru with us?

Check out our EdOdyssey Study Abroad Page for more information!

Five Ways How I Keep My Study Abroad Experience Alive

Are you thinking about traveling in the future or have already travelled during a study abroad?  Here is my guide on how to keep the vibe of your experiences abroad alive. After studying and traveling abroad, I know how it feels to come home and encounter difficulties keeping this vibe alive on campus.  

However, there are personal ways to hold onto your experiences, like writing about your perspective abroad and having worthwhile conversations with those at home, while continuing the conversation and relationship with those you met abroad.  There are also ways at school to achieve this, through continuing a study of a certain subject or language that enhanced your trip, and discovering programs or groups on campus to study or travel abroad. Experiences abroad are not simply a check on a checklist, they are meant to impact and shape you, through all of the amazing and maybe not so great experiences alike.  

How can you keep the vibe of your study abroad experience alive?

1. Talk to others about my experiences

During my first semester on campus after study abroad, I found that an easy way for me to keep my study abroad experience alive is simply talking to others and sharing my experiences.  I discovered that it was important for me to share the details of my trips and how I was impacted with my family and friends. It was important for them to know that I was not the same person after coming home, as I became more confident in myself and found a new appreciation for traveling.  Initially, I struggled a bit with doing this, as it is difficult sometimes to convey to others an experience that was not shared, besides on social media.

I found myself a little frustrated, as some people asked questions like “They have an airport?” or “What did you eat?!”.  Looking back on this, I should not have felt so upset or puzzled why others had these thoughts. Rather, I should have been more understanding and gone into these conversations with the same mindset that I went into my trips with.  After having full and meaningful conversations about my experiences abroad, those surrounding me knew more about why I was so open-minded when it came to food or why I had such an easy-going attitude. I was happy because they had a better idea of who I am and why I am so passionate about what I do.  

2. Keep in touch with those I met during my experiences abroad

After traveling abroad and meeting new and amazing people, I knew that I wanted to remain in touch.  Nowhere in my imaginary study abroad guide does it state that I must stay in touch with anyone I met, but this was my choice.  Those I met in China and Peru shaped my trips in both countries. Why wouldn’t I want to remain friends and in contact?

I talk to one of my friends from China nearly everyday through WeChat (China’s largest messaging and social media application).  I find that this is important to do after traveling because I was not in China and Peru for solely a week or two, I made connections with people that I see lasting my entire life.  Through this, I still feel connected from the states, in a different way to China and Peru, whether it is social media, phone calls, Facetimes, or texts. I am constantly reminded of my friends in China during my daily Mandarin class, when we discuss Chinese culture and ways to speak Mandarin like a native speaker.  If I have any questions about Mandarin, I sometimes turn to them via WeChat to better understand what I am learning, whether it is making sure my pronunciation is correct or that I am not saying something offensive in Chinese culture in my homework.

3. Get involved with programs that involve travel at school

When I started college after my gap year, I wanted keep the vibe alive from my year off.  I asked myself, how can I accomplish this on campus? After attending several club and activities fairs in the beginning of the school year, I was excited at how many clubs and programs there were available to students that involved aspects of traveling abroad.  

After I applied and got accepted for a board position, I joined a program that hosts a liberal arts camp for students in Vietnam during the summer.  I have met some of my closest friends at school from this program and I am so excited to travel to Vietnam this summer! If you want to get a taste of being abroad but you are not sure that you want to study abroad for an entire semester, research what programs your school offers that are not necessarily a semester long!  You never know what can happen when you get involved in activities and programs!

4. Continue studying the languages I learned abroad

Another way while now on campus how I like to keep the vibe alive is continuing to study the languages I studied abroad.  On my first day of college, the first class I shadowed was a Mandarin class. I loved the class and decided to enroll. If this had taken place a year prior, I most likely would not have been studying Mandarin.  This would not have even crossed my mind, but after my experience in China, I wanted to learn more.

By continuing this study, I feel even more connected to China and my friends in China, especially as my Mandarin continues to improve (hopefully).  After taking Spanish classes in Peru, I still practice Spanish by speaking with others and using learning applications on my phone like Duolingo. I am currently focusing on my study of Mandarin, but depending on my future course schedule I really want to take Spanish classes too!

5. By writing about my experiences

I have discovered in my life the power of writing. For me, I like to capture how I feel or relive my experiences through writing.  Today, I enjoy reading my different pieces of writing from my time abroad. It serves as a great reflecting time and also reminds me of events or days that I might have forgotten otherwise.  My writing has empowered me to share unique thoughts and experiences with others.

I constantly remind myself to put my thoughts onto paper, as each piece serves as time capsule of memories.  I do not to forget these memories because anyone can take a picture, but only I can write about my experiences. This is a part of one of my journal entries:

“China is not this mysterious country in a faraway land.  I am happy that I can write this while sitting in a coffee shop 7,796 miles away from home and have no worries at all. I feel a new sense of freedom.”

Traveling abroad is different for everyone, but a commonality is the value that is attained while abroad and then at home.  Your study abroad experience is about you and it is ultimately up to you in what you want to get out of it. It is important to remember that a past trip can have a huge effect on your future, and you never know where that experience may take you!  A trip abroad does not end with your flight back home, it is up to you to keep it alive.

How Study Abroad with EdOdyssey Prepared Me for Harvard

One of the world’s biggest Buddhas behind me!

My name is Jake Leary and I am currently a freshman at Harvard University, but the journey to get on campus has taken me from Massachusetts, around the world, and back home. I do not know my concentration (Havard’s fancy term for a major) yet, but I am very interested in Government and East Asian Studies. I am from Brockton, Massachusetts and attended high school in Boston. I was very involved in our writing club, jazz band, yearbook publication, and running cross-country for four years in high school. In the fall of 2016, as I went into my senior year, I had no idea that I would be taking gap year after graduating and travelling the world to countries like China and Peru. I did not really even know what a gap year was, nor that a gap year was possible for me. However, looking back on it, this became the best possible path for me to take.

During the final month of my senior year in high school, I decided I wanted to take a gap year. After thinking long and hard about it, I knew that I needed to give myself a break. This was not only a break from the routines of school and school work, but a deep breath to slow my life down.

How I learned breathing techniques and how to meditate in China.

As I look back on my senior year of high school, it turned out as the most stressful year of school for me and it didn’t allow me time to consider the next step after college. If I went straight into studying in college, I would have felt the burnout from high school, but luckily, I felt supported when I told my close friends, teachers, and mentors at my high school. However, I kept getting asked the same, repetitive question: “So what are you going to do?”. I had not given much thought to this which I probably should have, but I responded: “I might want to travel, but I will figure it out.” This simple, general response probably scared a bit those who asked, especially my school’s principal and president, when their valedictorian essentially had no clue what he was doing with this year off.

Despite the little worry I had about my future plans, I knew that everything would work out. This self-assured feeling became especially true when I found out about EdOdyssey after graduating. I had an inkling that I wanted to travel, and EdOdyssey’s several travel destinations for students intrigued me. After talking with EdOdyssey about possible plans for my gap year travels, I became very excited to embark on this journey.

Loved the Chinese tea!

Prior to my gap year, I had never travelled outside of the United States and felt something missing from the experiences in my life. With a desire to learn Mandarin for the first time, my first destination that I decided to travel to was China, halfway across the world. At 18, if you told me that I was moving to China, I would have never believed you. After arriving at night in Beijing, I was a little intimidated to say the least, since I could basically only say 你好 (hello) in Mandarin. After arriving in China, my hosts referred me to a breakfast that I later found because I was starving after 19 hours of travel. Now it was time for me to order something to the best of my ability which turned into an unforgettable experience.

Luckily, when I went to the counter of the restaurant, a boy around my age who spoke some English helped me order my soup and baozi--a steamed bun filled with meat-- which felt strange eating meat at 9am. Despite my reservations, I took my food and sat down at a communal table and started a conversation with a woman and her parents, from what I could tell. Although the meat tasted great, they noticed that I did not love my soup so they handed me a warm piece of bread. I told them my story through Google translate and then asked them where I could buy bottled water. After finishing eating, they walked me all the way to the grocery store. Despite a language barrier, it was these complete strangers’ natural instinct to help me. This kind of hospitality and friendliness I later continued to experience and encounter throughout my entire trip in China.

One of my favorite experiences in China was when I studied Mandarin for the first time in my life in the small city of Guilin (population of 5 million, a small city for China standards). At the language school recommended by EdOdyssey (Chinese Language Institute), it was extremely valuable to have one-on-one classes with my Chinese teacher, and solely focus on my study of Mandarin. Since I did not take Mandarin classes in high school, it made a tremendous difference studying a new language in its native country. I took what I learned in my classes and practiced persistently when I asked locals questions, went out to eat, and explored the city. My experience with Mandarin challenged me, but I did not feel as intimidated as I first thought. Even though I studied hard, I met tons of new and incredible people and had loads of fun simultaneously.

After teaching high school students in China about culture in the United States!

Reflecting on my experience in China, I now realize how valuable it truly was because of all of the amazing people I met, my newfound interest in Mandarin, and personal growth. If I had not received all of the help and guidance from EdOdyssey for my trip to China, I would never have met such amazing friends that brought me back to China this past summer to visit. I also would not have decided to continue my study of Mandarin here at Harvard. As I entered my first Mandarin class this fall at Harvard, I felt very prepared and confident in my foundation of Mandarin that I had established abroad. Within my first week of Mandarin class, while some of my peers struggled to introduce themselves, I could hold conversations with my teachers. After my travels in China, I thought about improving my Spanish, which I could not speak and hold a conversation a year ago.

Soon after my trip to China, I decided that one country would not suffice for my year off, and through EdOdyssey, I headed south to explore Peru. Initially, I felt worried about traveling to Peru because I thought about how I would essentially start from scratch again in a new country. I wanted a new and fresh experience in Peru, one entirely different from mine in China. This fear quickly disappeared as I fell in love with Peru’s numerous destinations, diverse culture, and delicious cuisine.

Papa a La Huancaína is a must-eat!

My homestay experience shaped my entire time in Peru. Living in Lima, with a central location close to all of the restaurants, shops, and downtown area was very convenient. I was only a walk away from one of Lima’s central parks Parque Kennedy with numerous restaurants and shops and the area that overlooked the Pacific Ocean Malecón de Miraflores where I enjoyed morning runs. My helpful host family got me acclimated to this new environment and showed me around to their favorite spots in Lima several times. In my unique homestay experience I only spoke Spanish in the home, forcing me to significantly improve it. I loved sitting with my host parents during meals while eating some of the best food I’ve ever eaten and learning more about Peru, South America, and my host parents’ lives. A cultural difference that I realized, the affection exuded by everyone I met, I soon came to love, with constant hugs and kisses when greeting someone. This speaks volumes to how much love and passion Peruvians truly have in their lives.

I loved most in Peru when I had the opportunities to give back in the form of volunteer work. Going to the community of Pamplona Alta in Lima exposed me to the hardships of many living in Peru, but also the great sense of perseverance and strong-will that its people possess. I helped in constructing concrete stairs, as the citizens of Pamplona Alta must climb the mountain-sides daily. After my experiences in Peru, I learned that life does not have to be so constantly fast-paced as we sometimes make it. This has helped me in how I go about living my life, in handling any stress and managing my time in the best way possible. I have learned to approach life with a more easy-going attitude that I know will stay with me.

In summary, the opportunities to travel because of EdOdyssey have changed my life in a very positive manner. Before my gap year, with a shy and timid personality, I mainly stuck to routines. Through travel, I have grown to become more independent and adventurous. I have also in the process become a strong advocate for students taking a gap year. An amazing chance to learn more about yourself, outside of the comforts of what you are used to, a gap year is transformative. It is a time to take a risk, but a risk with infinite benefits. Nevertheless, I would give the idea of going abroad with EdOdyssey serious thought and you may find yourself reflecting on it, and maybe even writing a blog about your experiences, in one year’s time!

The day before I left Peru, I enjoyed seeing all the places where I visited during my time in Lima from above!

Learn more about studying abroad in Peru with EdOdyssey.