The Life-Long Impact of Study Abroad Volunteering

One of my most memorable experiences in Peru was volunteering in the greater Lima area in Pamplona Alta. Volunteering while abroad offers the chance to see and experience parts of the country that you are in that you may not encounter on a day to day basis.  These experiences help to shape your overall experience abroad and they will stay with you. They are not only with you in the short term, but also provide long-term value in helping to understand your purpose, potential professional experiences in the future, and any future humanitarian work.  

In short, the purpose of volunteer work is not just checking an action item off of a list.

Uncertain Expectations

One day in Peru, one of my Peruvian friends told me about a place in Lima called Pamplona Alta.  They had a contact who was in charge of organizing students to go to Pamplona Alta to do volunteer work.  My friend said that I should definitely go to Pamplona Alta while I was in Peru. I did not initially think much of this, but I would soon realize why she highly recommended that I go.  Before going to Pamplona Alta, I felt as if I did not know what to expect. Up until that point, I had not really ventured outside of the main parts of Lima.

Gaining New Perspective

The day began with me going to meet with my friend’s contact and other volunteers in San Isidro.  We then boarded vans and headed toward Pamplona Alta. On the drive over I noticed something that I had not seen yet in Lima.

After exiting the main city part of Lima, there was a tunnel that we traveled through, and on the other side there was a stark contrast to what we had just left.  The main question I had was: Was this intentional? Would the government actually create a physical boundary between these two parts of Lima?

Upon arrival at the bottom of the mountain, it was time to get out of the vans and walk to where we would be working.  We walked for about twenty five minutes to our site, but there were even farther places higher up the hill. This is a walk that every person living in this community has become accustomed to.

Building For The Future

I knew that we would be helping to build new stairs for a part of the community, but I did not realize we would actually be making our own cement.  I learned that day just how this is done.

After making cement, we would put it in buckets and pass them down to the next person in the human assembly line, and then pour into the steps to dry. After working for a few hours, the members of this community who lived near our work site treated us to a homemade lunch.

I remember thinking about how selfless this was, how people with less than us were making us lunch, yet were so giving and generous in spirit.  After a few more hours of working and finishing the steps for that particular section, a person who lived in the community wanted to show us more of the community, so we climbed even higher up the hill.

Life-Long Impact: Sharing Solidarity

What we had done that day really hit me when we were at one of the highest points on the mountain. Viewing the entire community from that spot made me think about how the people of Pamplona Alta deserve everything. Everyone I met were the most warm and loving people I had ever met.

After writing our names in the fresh concrete and saying our goodbyes, we descended Pamplona Alta.  On the ride back, it was hard for me to not think about what I had just experienced. Stairs are a necessity for anyone living in a community like Pamplona Alta, yet this is not a guaranteed right.  I remember feeling a little angry that more could not be done, but I could only remember the smiles on all of the faces I saw that day.

There comes a point where you cannot be angry, but simply do more, and step up to bring change daily.  I learned from this experience that we are really in it together, and change can only be accomplished together. I also learned that the people of Pamplona Alta and beyond live their lives and make it with our help. It is up to us to live in solidarity when we do enter communities like Pamplona Alta, as they give a lot living their lives with big hearts.

Having New Appreciation

What I experienced in Pamplona Alta was in stark contrast to what I experienced on the daily in Miraflores. This experience taught me even more about Peru as a country and as a population. Would a random person in Miraflores invite me into their home for a refreshment?  

In Pamplona Alta, this type of hospitality happens without hesitation. Volunteering in Pamplona Alta definitely shaped my experience in Peru, as it exposed me to what most of Peru truly is, a country of warm, generous, and loving people.  Going to places like Pamplona Alta and actually interacting with the community make these areas less scary and aid in breaking down stereotypes.

In the long-term, experiences like this help to see your place in the world and serve to inspire you to do more in the world.  The world needs more people like the people of Pamplona Alta, a living example of selfless love in the world.

Four Reasons Why A Gap Year Makes Sense

If you are currently a senior in high school, you are going through the stressful college application process. What was something that never crossed my mind during the beginning of my senior year of high school? A gap year.  

The idea of taking a year off from school does not cross the minds of most seniors eagerly applying to college.  It’s existence may be known, but a gap year is not followed through by most. It feels natural to attend college right after graduating from high school, but it is important to ask yourself if this path is right for you.  

My parents were initially hesitant about my year off from school, but it was not hard to convince them that a gap year would add tremendous value to my studies and life. I assured my parents that I would make the most of a gap year and that it would be a productive year.  I was fortunate that my family was extremely supportive of my decision, and everyone was excited to see what I would do.

What is missing from the natural path however is a breath or even a couple breaths to take a step back and think about your journey.  One of my initial concerns was the perception of taking a gap year. I was worried that a gap year may appear to detract from my path of studies and achievement.  However, I became reassured that a gap year would only enrich my path after having several conversations with my family, guidance counselor, and teachers.

I was also concerned that I would be missing out on college and feeling connected to my friends going off the college.  However, when I thought more about this, I remember getting advice from my high school principal that in hindsight, this is only one year of my life. In the moment, I may have been concerned about missing out on college, but in the future, when looking back on this point in my life, I may be able to appreciate this year for myself even more.

If you have made the decision to dive into a gap year, you may be thinking “Now what am I going to do?  Here are some ideas:

Intern

A great way to gain some real life experience is through obtaining an internship.  This gives you the opportunity to pursue an interest or field of study that you may be drawn to, and may even help you decide what you want to study in college.  

You will be able gain some professional experience, build your network and references by meeting incredible people, and also build upon your own portfolio. You can additionally obtain a job to earn some money for your future, and this can be combined with an internship, depending on if it is a paid or unpaid position.tra

Volunteer

Nothing is more rewarding than the feeling you have after helping others and making a difference, regardless of size or scale.  You can volunteer in your own community, or go outside your hometown and volunteer somewhere out in the world!

Personal Project

Perhaps you have wanted to accomplish a personal goal or had a special project that you wanted to do during high school but did not have the time.  Now on your gap year, you have that time to work on a passion project to build your skills and portfolio . This could be photography, a writing project, learning a new instrument, or even learning a new language!

Travel

One of the best ways to go outside of your comfort zone out into the world and learn more about yourself is through travel.  It is very possible to travel on a budget, while going on an adventure of a lifetime and diving deep into different cultures of the world!  This is the perfect option for an experience that will allow you to grow as a person and gain some independence.

Traveling abroad opens yourself to new views of the world, with exposure to new foods, languages, and cultures that maybe you have never knew much about.  A gap year gives you time to actually think about and give you a better idea about what you want to do in your future. High school does not provide students with time to ask themselves what they like and what they’re passionate about. Travel can provide a great window of opportunity for this, and this is especially valuable before starting college.

If you decide that taking a gap year is the right choice for you, I would advise that you still apply to college in the fall of your senior year of high school.  All universities do not have a deferral policy, so you must determine if your desired school(s) has a deferral policy or not. It is best to apply to college in the fall of your senior year if you are considering a gap year because this way you will not stress out about applying to colleges during your gap year.

The beauty of a gap year is that it is yours to mold and plan.  You can easily combine any of these ideas! A gap year is not for every student, you may want to go straight into college or maybe the thought of doing something different excites you!  

Curious to learn how a gap year changed my life? Check out How Study Abroad With EdOdyssey Prepared Me For Harvard!  

Understanding Seven Chinese Superstitions

Within Chinese culture, superstitions are common among many people.  Like any other culture, some of these may seem strange, but they hold unique value.  To better understand more Chinese superstitions, I turned to my close Chinese friend Sonya for her experiences with superstitions.

These are seven Chinese superstitions:

1. In Chinese culture, people will burn fake paper money to commemorate a person who has passed away.  A large part of this superstition is seen in a memorial event of the Tomb sweeping festival, which has a long history in China.

2. In China, people do not use a broom to clean the floor on the first day of Chinese New Year.  Chinese people also do not throw out their trash on this day. It is bad to clean your house on this day, especially the floors, because the broom is seen as making fortune going away.

3. There are also superstitions regarding your body.  For example, your eyelid twitching has two different meanings.  If the left eyelid jumps suddenly, this means fortune and good luck.  If the right eyelid jumps suddenly, this means bad fortune and unluckiness.  

4. When someone starts a new business in China, some Chinese business people will turn to a fortune teller for guidance.  They will pay a considerable amount of money for the fortune teller to tell them the exact time to open their business.  The dates and times are seen as important for wealth and good luck with their business.

5. When a person passes away, their family does not bargain the price of an urn for ashes.  They also do not point to an urn that they decide to buy. This is out of respect for the person who passes away, so that there is not a focus on money.

6. Certain numbers in China are considered bad luck or have negative connotations.  The number “four” is very unlucky and one word to avoid. This is because the Chinese word for “four” sounds like the Chinese word for “death”.  

7. When a person’s Zodiac animal will be the next year, this means that it will be a tough year for them.  A solution to this superstition is that they will have to purchase red socks or underwear for a good year and to protect themselves.

For my friend Sonya, these superstitions are a part of her culture and life in China.  Through a greater understanding of these, it gives others the ability to connect with Chinese culture and the people in it.  This can further create a new awareness with regard to our own cultural traditions and superstitions. No matter how superstitious you are, it is important to recognize how superstitions speak to our cultures around the globe.

Four Fun Leisure Activities in Lima

When in Lima, there are a plethora of options to explore Lima’s culture, food, and popular sites.  Lima is a quirky, interest city. Whenever you have free time, it is worth exploring some options of fun things to do.  

Here are four fun leisure activities to do in Lima:

1. Parque Kennedy

Parque Kennedy is a central park in the Miraflores area of Lima.  This is the perfect spot to visit if you are looking for a leisure walk, grab something to eat, or witness some of Lima’s unique culture.  

What makes this park the most unique is the fact that you can find cats roaming around the park! There are often times musical and dance performances in the park for your enjoyment.  If you are looking to eat around this area, I would recommend walking a couple of blocks outside of Parque Kennedy to avoid most of the touristy spots. Go visit Parque Kennedy for a relaxed time and to see more of Lima!

2. El Malecón - Parque del Amor

One of the most beautiful parts of Lima is El Malecón, stretching down Lima’s coastline.  El Malecón is a giant, amazing park that overlooks the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

My fellow study abroad classmates and me!

During my time in Lima, I loved starting my mornings by running the Malecón, freeing my mind while having an amazing view of the ocean.  There are also many other leisure activities to take part in on the Malecón. If you want to get some exercise in, there are actually many public machines that are free to use outdoors.

Additionally, there are classes that you can sign up for, including general exercise, tennis, and yoga classes.  If you are ever feeling adventurous, one of the most famous sights in the sky of Lima is from paragliding. This is perfect on a nice, sunny day, and you can see all of Lima from the sky!

El Malecón is also great for leisure walks, and you can see a landscape art installation of Las Lineas de Nazca and El Parque del Amor, featuring a large kissing sculpture and mosaic walls.   

3. Larcomar

Further down the Malecón in the neighborhood of Miraflores, you will find an incredible shopping mall built into the cliffs of Lima.  Larcomar is a hub of shopping, food, and vistas of the Pacific in Miraflores.

While most of the shopping stores are a little pricey, you can shop here if you absolutely need something you cannot find elsewhere in Lima.  There are also a range of restaurants and dessert places, some being more expensive and others more affordable.

Larcomar is a great place to hang out with friends, to simply window shop or grab a meal. I recommend treating yourself at least once to the food at Tanta, located inside Larcomar!

4. Cafes Cafes Cafes

One of my favorite things to do in Lima was exploring the numerous cafes located around the Miraflores and San Isidro neighborhoods.  If you have a sweet tooth and love coffee, Lima is a goldmine for cool cafes.

Many of these cafes are perfect for getting some work or studying done.  Some are more of a sit-down atmosphere, ideal for having some delicious dessert with friends. My favorite cafe in Lima is called Pan de Chola, with locations in Miraflores and San Isidro, serving my favorite carrot cake I’ve ever tasted!

Lima is a huge city, but taking the time to do some leisure activities will expose you to even more of what Lima has to offer.  These places are also great meet up points to meet with friends or your study abroad group.  You will be glad to have done this, while making the most of your study abroad experience!

Five Major Benefits of Going Abroad in High School

The intense nature of jam-packed schedules for all you 9th-12th graders can make it hard to see beyond your immediate routine. You probably have a limited amount of time to consider the immense value of opportunities like a trip abroad and travel as you run between classes, extracurriculars, and sports.

However, high school is the best time to explore these options because you want to make sure that you stand out as you get ready to prepare for life beyond high school. You’ll get a chance to continue expanding your cultural competency, gaining real-life context for your language skills and ultimately helping you stand out among millions of high school grads before you look to make the big investment in college.

Is it a bad idea to take a break from routines and get a taste of travel? Isn’t test driving a study abroad experience worth it in the long run if you’re not sure that you want to study abroad?

Here are our five major benefits to going abroad in high school:

1. Make New Friends

We all know that many students go to college unsure and undeclared about what to study in college or do with the rest of their lives, and an experience abroad gives an opportunity to step out and explore an unfamiliar place with friends and fellow classmates. The chance to solidify friendships and create new ones means that there is the best of both worlds. In addition to friendship, a new country means a variety of foods, locals, another language and sense for how you feel traveling abroad.

2. Gain A Fresh Perspective

The best way to learn is to go beyond your textbooks and explore, and there’s no better to do that to have an adventure with experienced educators and travelers. We understand that students learn the most and enjoy the process when they’re out and taking an active role embracing a new culture and society. We facilitate that experience through interactive activities in some of the world’s most famous public spaces (parks, plazas, etc) to have a student-centered focus toward learning language, culture and history within the country and the city.

3. Invest In Your Study Abroad Now

A trip abroad in high school gives a taste of culture shock and gives an authentic snapshot of a new country that will help you give more context for travel and study abroad in order to prioritize it before diving into college academics. When you get to college, we understand that your focus will surround classes, sports, extracurricular activities, and enjoying your experience!

The majority of college students study abroad toward the end of their college experience, and we know that finances and graduation requirements can limit opportunities to study abroad later on in college. If you go abroad in high school, you’ll have an idea of what study abroad could look like for you at less than half the price of a semester of college in most cases. We don’t want you to miss out on a potentially life-changing experience!

4. Test Your Language Skills

High school language classes do a great job of giving you a foundation for the language, but you’ll have to take those tools out of the toolbox at some point! When you take a trip abroad, you’re interacting with the language and seeing the language come to life. You’ll probably realize the value of those conjugation charts and vocabulary lists as you test your skills.

Whether you’re beginner or more advanced in the foreign language, you’ll see first hand that you can use what you know and find creative ways to communicate your ideas. Additionally, you’ll gain a true sense of how the language lives and breathes through people and cultures, and there’s no better way than to get a taste and feel for that language than in person.

When you get to college, you still might not have the clearest idea about what you want from an experience abroad, but you’ll have an idea of how it feels to explore another country. The best part is that you’ll have more confidence and more excitement as you hopefully look to make another leap!

5. Differentiate Yourself

College applications require a letter usually surrounding a topic regarding how individual high students have stood out from their peers, learned a life lesson, or challenged themselves. We know that the college application process continues to get more and more competitive with millions of high school graduates from around the US boasting high GPAs, a multitude of extracurriculars, and a variety of clubs.

How many of those same high school students can boast about taking an immersion trip abroad?

An immersion experience abroad shows a willingness to step out and to take on new challenges. Furthermore, the power of travel and new experiences can create life-long memories and an impact as you take that step after high school as you continue your adventure into adulthood.

Are you ready to start planning an immersion trip abroad? Please Start Planning Your Trip with us so we can get you on your way toward a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Student Immersion Experience in Lima, Peru: Liam Grady

My name is Liam Grady, and as I prepare to graduate from Saint Rose in New York this May (2019), I’d like to give you an idea about how my summer immersion trip to Peru changed my perspective, challenged beliefs/possible biases, and just opened my mind to the beauty that is present throughout the world. I went to Peru as a part of Summer Term and it was a great month for many reasons.

Some of these reasons are the culture, educational classes, and immersion. There was so much information and the experiences I got to be a part of in just one month made me forever grateful.

How My Mentality Toward Language Learning Changed Abroad

A big highlight of my trip was taking classes at EdOdyssey’s partner language school, El Sol, because the language came alive. As someone who took 4 years of high school Spanish and 3 in college I had never really enjoyed Spanish class.

Before I arrived in Peru, I had been studying Spanish for a practical, real-world application as I plan to work in law enforcement on the West Coast. I never really had a huge passion for the Spanish language.  My mentality toward Spanish changed at El Sol because I was constantly feeling engaged and eager to learn.

The teachers there do a terrific job of keeping the classes interesting, albeit they have people of all ages and from all parts of the world. It was truly a rewarding experience going to class Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm every day and really learning and working on my language skills.

Outside of the classroom, I was really able to work on my Spanish. I also really got to see Peruvian’s in their native culture and habits. In my month there, I went to numerous museums, the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Rain Forest, and Peruvian restaurants.

A Look Back at My Experience

I learned how all of these places provided me with an opportunity to speak and listen to Spanish, as well as have some of the best experiences of my life. That, on top of speaking and hanging out with my wonderful Peruvian host mom, Charo, every day, provided me with such an appreciation for Peru, the culture, and the language.

While no one can predict the future, I know that I will be more open and eager to learn about all different types of people and places for the years to come because of the experiences I was lucky enough to have in Peru. I hope to continue to be able to go on trips because my trip was truly life changing!

Definitely don’t miss out on this great opportunity and start your summer term application today!