Three Steps For Preparing Your Study Abroad Now

If you’re currently a college student, or going into college, study abroad may be on your mind from the beginning or perhaps later on.  Whenever you begin to think about studying abroad, it is a good idea to start this process ahead of time.

Here are three steps to help you start prepping for study abroad now:

1. Research Locations

In order to discover what opportunities are actually available to you, you should first research different countries where your university offers study abroad programs.  You should also give yourself time to apply for financial aid and any scholarships that your university offers for study abroad.

2. Find Resources

Preparing yourself for study abroad does not only entail physical preparation but also mental preparation. Deciding to study abroad can be a difficult decision so you should give it time to consider if it is right for you and reach out to people you know who can help advise you, such as friends, family and academic advisers and faculty.

It is good to get in the right headspace before starting your new journey and you should stay positive and keep an open mind at all times as you look for the right fit.  

3. Understand Your Options

In a larger sense, even if you decide that studying abroad for a full semester is not right for you, there could be several other opportunities available to you. You should take full advantage of all that your university offers for travel opportunities during winter, spring, or summer breaks.

Maybe a shorter term travel abroad experience could suit you better. It all depends on what experience you think will work best for you, your interests, and your class schedule!

Finally, you should get excited about studying abroad! Think about how well-traveled you could become, how you can make new friends, and all that you could learn about other countries and their cultures. It may seem overwhelming, but study abroad will be an experience of a lifetime you will not want to miss!

EdOdyssey offers custom programs that can fit your needs, depending on what you’re looking for in a study abroad program. Programs can last a few weeks, a few months, and even up to a year around the world! Whether you know where and when you want to study abroad, or if you’re just getting started in the process, please fill out the EdOdyssey contact form to receive more about study abroad opportunities around the world!

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!

Seven Reasons You Can't Miss Cusco

The history of Cusco has transcended time and still lives and breathes through its people, places and animals. Centuries ago, The Incan Empire was spread throughout South America as one of the world's largest tribes and Cusco held the status as the capital of the Incas. Before the Spanish came in the 16th century, the empire covered Peru, a large part of Chile, and smaller parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina.

Although Cusco is a major Peruvian city with roughly half a million people, it has held onto its identify and the Cusqueños (or people from Cusco) have held onto their past to create a present-day culture that embraces their community-first mentality.

We encourage schools to include Cusco on their itineraries because it gives a wider idea about Peruvian culture. Here are seven reasons you can’t miss out on Cusco:

Photo courtesy of Kyle Janko (Matignon HS)

1. History of Spanish Influence  

The Spanish conquest of the Incan empire in the middle of the 16th century changed the face of culture in Peru, and especially in the Incan capital. When the Spanish came to Cusco, they converted the people to Catholicism and they changed their former places of Incan worship into churches and cathedrals.

In Cusco’s main Cathedral, it has paintings that were made with European-style canvases and paints that depicted Jesus Christ. In those same pictures, they have typical aspects of Peruvian culture. For example, Jesus and his disciples have the Last Supper, but in the middle of the table, there is a guinea pig - a typical and traditional food still eaten in Cusco today.

Photo courtesy of Kyle Janko (Matignon HS)

2. Iconic Animals

When we think of animals in major cities, we normally don't consider anything other than cats and dogs but it's a different story in Cusco. The Peruvian people in the former Incan capital still allow alpacas, llamas and vicuñas in and around their most popular areas.

From ancient Incan ruins to sometimes even the city center, you can find them in the most unexpected places, including Machu Picchu. You can see people walking with these animals in Cusco and surrounding areas as a part of the community.

3. Architecture & Landscape

The awe-inspiring structures, both natural and man made, will have you wonder about these places came into existence. In past programs, we’ve enjoyed taking a short ride just outside of Cusco to Saqsaywaman to understand the ancient Incan history.

In this fortress - a name given by the Spaniards who conquered Cusco - we learn about how the Incan people created this area of worship with boulders and stones weighing tons. They took tree trunks to roll the stones into place in order to avoid erosion and to create a stable area for farming. The best way to really comprehend it is to see it!

4. Amazing Coffee

Peruvian coffee is some of the best in the world, and there's no better place to try it than Cusco. At an altitude of over 10,000 feet, the coffee beans don't break down as easy and they don't oxidize as fast so the coffee beans stay fresher for longer.

When coffee tastes bitter, it's flavor comes from an acidic coating that develops around the bean which shrinks the bean and changes the natural flavor. However, in Cusco, the coffee stays fresher for longer and you can taste the difference!

5. Artistic Influence

In Cusco, you'll find ceramics and hand made goods from local experts and professionals who have learned these ancient traditions from family members. In our programs, we like to include a visit to a ceramics workshop where we learn how to make pottery and decorate ceramics from professionals. These professionals show special techniques that have helped our students create their piece!

6. The Location

The city is located high in the mountains in the region of the Andes Mountains, one of the longest mountain ranges in the world. The location of Cusco gives great access to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The trip to Machu Picchu gives a real look at the transition from the city of Cusco, Andres mountains and finally to the surrounding jungle-like area around these famous ancient ruins. The area of Machu Picchu was actually discovered just over a hundred years ago after centuries of being hidden and closed off from the world which gives us a glimpse into the knowledge and power of the ancient architecture surrounding the ruins!

7. The Local Vibe

One of the Cusco area’s best kept secrets is hidden in the Amaru community. This tribe is located about an hour outside of Cusco city where we learn how they make traditional clothes and how they cook typical foods, such as their famous huatia potatoes.

Additionally, we learn traditional dances and get a real look into life in one of the largest tribes in Peru with over three million people!

If you’re interested in hearing more about Peru, check out our blog Understanding The Keys of Peruvian Culture to get an even more in depth look at what makes the country one of the most beautiful places in the world!

Three Benefits of Hosting Foreign Exchange Students

Has your high school hosted exchanges with other schools, or would your high school would be interested in hosting students from another country for the first time? EdOdyssey works with schools from around the world. For schools wanting to travel, we facilitate short-term immersion programs tending to last 7-10 days. For schools that want to host students from abroad, we've had students stay short term for 2-5 days and we can also arrange longer stays.

Over the last five years and counting, we’ve built strong connections/relationships between schools in the US, China, Peru, Spain and more. Our program wants to empower young people taking classroom knowledge and applying it to real world settings abroad.

At EdOdyssey, we value opening doors to new cultures through home stays with local families in conjunction with a host school to build and develop a deeper ties between local schools, their communities and visiting schools.

Why do we believe so strongly in the importance and value of immersion program exchanges between schools from different countries?

Here are three major benefits to hosting foreign students for a short-term immersion program:

1. Show The Best of Your Local Culture

The best part about people visiting is that you get to show them the highlights of your city and the surrounding area! In our daily lives, we get too busy or tied up with our day-to-day activities that we sometimes don’t enjoy the beauty of our local places and spaces.

When was the last time you saw a local show or went to a nearby museum? Wouldn’t it be fun to meet a new friend from another part of the world and give him or her a look into your daily life at home, at school, and in your community?

When we collaborate with schools from around the world, we look to build an educational program that’s mutually beneficial for both host and visiting schools. For our visiting schools, we build our home stays around 3-5 days in the host city so the visiting students can visit the school, get a sense of the school day, and participate in classes to see what a day in the life of a local student looks like in another country. For both host and visiting schools, we find activities that are both educational and fun with local musicians, artists, athletes and notable local personalities. 

We take the time for our host brothers and sisters, and their visitors, to visit a local famous place of interest. You have an opportunity to reflect on the beauty of your own home and culture, and you get the chance to show a new friend how great your hometown is as well. 

2. Make Life-Long Connections

We see the importance in bridging culture gaps through hand matching our host students with their visiting brother or sister based on their mutual interests. Despite each homestay lasting for only a few days, their connections and the lessons learned during this period can last a lifetime!

From the start, we ask both host students and visiting students to complete a survey. After they submit questionnaires with their likes and interests to EdOdyssey, they are matched and put in contact through us so they can connect through email with the option to share their social media and phone number!

These short and intense experiences allow both schools to see the beauty in differences and the importance of mutual respect!

In the past, we’ve worked at a local food bank organizing food donations!

3. Share School Communities & Missions

In both visiting and host schools, we like to organize different events in the community. In our past programs, we’ve focused on developing four aspects of the exchange involving (1) a service opportunity (2) a local visit, (3) a local event (4) a big dinner with host families and their visiting brother or sister.

For service, we’ve organized an event with a local non-profit, charity or organization, such as a food bank in Spain, providing value to the local community. We set up these events out of solidarity - ultimately both locals and visitors gain a better appreciation for programs that provide assistance to an underserved part of the community.

In our past local visits, we’ve found a museum, or a local event, that meets and matches the respective missions and objectives of both of our schools.  When we continue speak and collaborate with both host schools and visiting schools, we want to align their missions and objectives.  When we’ve created events, such as flamenco shows in Spain or volunteer events in Peru, we coordinate with both schools to create a cohesive and coherent plan for all of us to learn from each other. If the visiting school wants to focus on a specific classroom subject, or a specific topic (like history or art) we work with host schools to coordinate events that mutually benefit both schools and communities.

In the past, our local event has brought in local artists and musicians that highlight an aspect of local culture and community. We’ve hosted local musicians and artists to come and put on a show at the local school.

During our previous immersion programs, we’ve worked to create a cultural event in conjunction with the host school to provide a big finale for host families and the visiting students and teachers.

Ready to see if your school is the right fit for our homestay program? We’re open to your ideas and we want to hear them! If your school has volunteer centers, local museums, or businesses, we want to facilitate sharing your community with a visiting school from abroad!

Please send us an email at info@edodyssey.com for more information and we’ll be in touch with next steps on planning your unique journey.

Three Main Reasons Why We Do Group Reflections

During our high school immersion programs, the EdOdyssey educators likes to focus on the positive energy and challenges of every day. Each day presents itself with its own meaning and our job as students and educators is to explore that significance.

When we travel, we have fun experiences in new places with fellow classmates and teachers, we come away with life lessons think. In each trip, we have a lot of different personalities and a wide range of perspectives so we like to hear and learn from our students and teachers at the end of each day that we’re together in a group.

Here are three main reasons why we do on group reflections:

1. Build Trust & Communication

In small and big groups, we want to learn about all our teachers and students. Although our teachers and classmates go to school together, we encourage everyone to participate and speak because we’re outside of a school setting and in a new culture.

A big first step of breaking into a new culture comes with communication. The point of travel is for all of us to learn together, and we can’t learn if we don’t discuss with each other what we’re feeling and seeing each day to understand why we feel that way.

If we don’t share our laughter, your surprises and your awe, we might miss the beauty of our respective environments. Along those same lines, we can embrace and respect these observations and moments together because it’s how we build trust and confidence in each other.

2. Unpack Our Observations

All of us, teachers and students, come together during these group reflections to hear and understand the emotion that came to you during the day because we’re picking up on the same surroundings but we’re perceiving them differently.

Our ideas, and our thoughts, go in different directions when we travel together and we need to embrace honesty if we’re going to make the most of the experience. Sometimes we feel a certain way and we don’t know why, which is why we like to talk about what we did and what we saw during the day.

3. Embrace Emotions

We know that each student faces their own challenges and fears before and during each trip so it’s best for all of us to take these head on together. For some students, we know that stepping on a plane can create a lot of stress while others might get more nervous around new foods.

We want to help our students manage and understand the emotion that comes from travel because academic education. In any day a trip, you can swing between moments that are fun, scary, exciting, unnerving, confusing, and funny within seconds and minutes of each other.

All of us manage these challenges the best when we take them on together. Even though you feel like you’re the only one who feels shocked or confused during your trip, you might be standing next to a friend going through it too but we all show and express our feelings differently.

When we go abroad, our senses get overloaded with everything that’s different and we want you to know that you’re never alone! Your fellow classmates, your teachers and EdOdyssey staff are with you every step of the way, and if you want to learn more about how we help each other, please check out Five Tips For Diving Deep Into A New Culture!