Exploring the Past, Present and Future of Peru Through Virtual Study Abroad: Cultural Modules Part 1

As part of our Virtual Study Abroad program next semester, you will gain an inside, cultural perspective on Peru with our partners at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). To complement these courses, you will enjoy cultural modules that will provide you with an in-depth view of the past, present, and future of the country. 

Through unique cultural module topics, you’ll learn from EdOdyssey’s local team about Peru’s intricate history, diverse geography and cultural traditions, past and present movements for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. You’ll gain insight and perspective of the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru while developing a deeper understanding of Peru.

You’ll connect valuable academic knowledge from your courses to understand a wider context for various socioeconomic factors and pressing issues affecting Peru today. 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PERU

Peru was home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The earliest signs of human activity in the country date back thousands of years, and to this day vast structures like Machu Picchu are still standing in the mountains of Peru. With such a long past marked by drastic changes, learning about the historical background of Peru from our Peruvian colleagues is sure to bring you a new perspective of the country.

One of our first cultural modules will walk you through significant changes in Peru’s past, such as the shift from empire to colony to independent country. Through this session, you will explore how dramatic events have shaped Peru into the country it is today. Gain the background knowledge you need to better understand not only the content of your courses in the virtual study abroad program, but also other cultural modules as well that explore the geographical and cultural diversity of Peru.

REGIONS & TRADITIONS

Imagine you are planning a trip to Peru. What places do you imagine?

Many people would name the large cities of Lima and Cuzco as their main destinations.

However, our Peruvian team would tell you that Lima is not Peru! The country has several different regions outside the main cities; there are towns and places on the coast, in the mountains, and within the rainforest of the country.

With so many different terrains and distinct areas, there is a lot of diversity and domestic migration in Peru. Learn about how people from different regions brought their cultural beliefs and traditions with them as they move to other places in the country!

GENDER AND LGBTQ+ RIGHTS IN PERU

Issues such as sexism, homophobia, and other types of identity-based discrimination are common around the world, and these obstacles affect millions of people every day.

Movements pushing for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and the elimination of prejudice based on a person’s identity are also becoming more widespread, and Peru is one of the countries heavily involved in these issues.

Machismo is a phenomenon that contributes to sexist and patriarchal attitudes in Peru and other Latin American countries. Through our module on gender and LGBTQ+ rights in Peru, you can learn about how machismo affects Peruvian society and how it has impacted women and the LGBTQ+ community. Learn about the past and present movements to address these issues and gain a new perspective on one of the most relevant topics in the 21st century!

PERU RIGHT NOW

In a connected world, an issue that might begin in one country can impact others around the world. This is the case with the COVID-19 outbreak, which has become a global health issue. Peru is one of the many countries affected by the pandemic, and because of this, 2020 has been a year of large-scale socioeconomic change in the country.

Learn about how COVID-19 has affected Peruvian society by fueling rumors online, forcing people who moved into Lima from more remote areas to return into the rural parts of the country, and causing massive strain on the health system. Since the pandemic is worldwide and affects each country differently, our module on Peru in 2020 is the perfect opportunity to look at how COVID-19 has impacted a place outside the United States and how present actions can affect the future of the world.

ENHANCE YOUR LEARNING

Our cultural modules are more than extra lectures outside of class: they are an opportunity to give yourself a more in-depth perspective of Peru. Your Peruvian educators will not be the only people you learn from in these sessions: you can also learn from your classmates and guest speakers in the modules! 

You will be able to view Peru not through the perspective of an American student, but through the eyes of a local Peruvian. You will gain the knowledge to navigate the complexities of different socioeconomic in the country and how they affect life in the present and future. Furthermore, you will be able to take your new cultural analysis skills and apply them to explore the issues affecting other countries in the world.

Bring your virtual semester to a new level by registering for EdOdyssey’s classes and cultural modules!

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!

---

Want tips on creating the perfect entry?

Ready to start your virtual scholarship?

Cultural Modules for Medical Spanish: The Importance of Cultural Context in Treating a Latinx Patient

Anyone who speaks more than one language can tell you that vocabulary and terminology are not the only things that change when communicating with someone in a different tongue: cultural knowledge and context are crucial to effective and accurate communication. This is certainly true for many Latinx communities in the United States. Along with the English-Spanish language barrier, cultural differences and fear of cultural misunderstandings also hinder communication for Latinx people and can make reaching out for help especially difficult. 

This issue is especially prevalent in the American healthcare system, where the options to find doctors fluent in Spanish or call an interpreter to relay information is not enough to make many Latinx people feel comfortable visiting a hospital. This is where cultural competence makes a difference: a culturally-informed healthcare professional will be better able to understand patients and handle their cases more effectively. Learn how you can increase your cultural competence alongside your Spanish skills by understanding not only why cultural knowledge matters for treating Latinx patients, but also how cultural values and expectations for healthcare affect the Latinx community’s experience in the American healthcare system! 

HOW PEOPLE FROM LATINX COMMUNITIES ADDRESS HEALTH ISSUES

In the United States, people from the Latinx community are less likely to get proper healthcare, whether in the form of routine checkups or more advanced treatments for specific injuries or health issues. According to a 2014 article from The Atlantic, “Latinos are the racial and ethnic group least likely to visit the doctor. More than one-fourth of Latino adults in the United States lack a usual healthcare provider and almost half of Latinos never visit a medical professional during the course of the year.”  (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor)

While some attribute the smaller numbers of Latinx people enrolled in American healthcare to factors such as eligibility status or income, there are other reasons people from Latinx communities might not go to the hospital. Amanda Machado, the author of the article, writes that many Latinx people who qualify for medical benefits and can afford their medical bills can also be reluctant to see a doctor. She concludes that since Latinx communities are still less likely  to get medical treatment regardless socioeconomic statuses, there must be a larger overarching reason why this is the case: culture. 

Machado cites several anecdotes about the custom of self-medication in Latinx communities. She writes that people from Latinx countries like Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru turn to homemade remedies derived from plants to treat ailments instead of asking doctors for medical advice and picking up medicine from pharmacies. In her words, “These traditions still hold strong in many parts of Latin America today, providing many Latinos with a family custom of treating yourself without a professional doctor’s help.”  (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor)

In the cultural modules of the Medical Spanish and Latinx Culture course, you will learn about specific myths and beliefs people from Latinx countries hold about certain herbal remedies. You will also gain insight on other ways people from Latinx communities self-medicate for their symptoms. 

CULTURAL STRUGGLES OF LATINX PATIENTS IN HEALTHCARE

The traditional reliance on natural cures is not the only reason many Latinx people do not go to the doctor; for many people from Latinx countries, there is a different cultural ideal for a doctor-patient relationship that Machado describes as “personal, welcoming, and concerned for the individual as a whole.”  (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor) She adds that because many doctors do not get to spend much time for each appointment and “lack time to establish relationships with patients,” many Latinx people find American doctors “untrustworthy” and their interactions with them “uncomfortable.” (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor)

As a result, many people in the Latinx community do not feel comfortable disclosing information such as symptoms and other health issues with doctors. In order to encourage patients to speak openly about their health with doctors, it is important for healthcare students and professionals to help make hospital visits more comfortable for Latinx people and to foster positive relationships similar to the ones that are the cultural ideal in Latinx countries.

Being aware of this cultural expectation is the first step to making American healthcare more welcoming to Latinx patients. 

Making patients feel comfortable in medical settings is crucial to the health of the larger Latinx community. Many Latinx people have health conditions that require medical attention but are unwilling to get treatment from someone who does not understand their culture. This drives some patients to go to extreme lengths to find a doctor from the same ethnicity or from a similar background.

One of the Latinx people that Machado interviews for The Atlantic shares that her mother “would wait five hours in a waiting room to see a Latino doctor...rather than visit a non-Hispanic physician” because she wanted the level of confianza, or trust, that you feel with someone Hispanic.” (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor) 

This is where EdOdyssey’s partnership with El Sol, a certified language school based in Lima, Peru, provides valuable insight into the confianza, or confidence, that Latinx patients look for in their doctors. Not only will your language instructors teach you important words to use when speaking to patients in Spanish, but they will also provide you with an opportunity to learn about healthcare directly from a Latinx perspective - all of El Sol’s educators are Latinx themselves and will teach you about Latinx healthcare from experience.  

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING CULTURE ALONGSIDE LANGUAGE

EdOdyssey’s Medical Spanish and Latinx Culture course is not just any online class - it is a program that infuses key cultural aspects with vocabulary specialized for medical settings. As Machado writes in the end of her article, “Healthcare workers can address these issues by offering their services on a sliding scale and translating health information into Spanish.

But healthcare professionals also need to be aware of the cultural values that Latino patients find significant.” (Machado Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor) Learning about Latinx culture and understanding how it relates to healthcare for the Latinx population is crucial to creating culturally-competent medical professionals who can make Latinx patients feel comfortable and confident in their care. 

Participants in this program will gain a holistic and culturally-informed perspective on healthcare for the Latinx community through expert educators who know and live the Latinx medical experience. You will learn about how some Latinx communities turn to self-medication instead of professional evaluation for health issues to why many Latinx patients feel uncomfortable with the lack of the close doctor-patient relationship that is expected in Latin-American countries.

Additionally, you will be making great progress toward becoming a culturally-competent healthcare professional!

Want to learn more about the program?

Sources

Machado, Amanda. “Why Many Latinos Dread Going to the Doctor.” The Atlantic, Atlantic

Media Company, 7 May 2014, www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/why-many-latinos-dread-going-to-the-doctor/361547/.

Six Tips For Sculpting A Standout Scholarship Entry

As you create an entry for a scholarship application, you deserve to have all the resources possible to help you out! If you’re daunted by a scholarship application assignment, or wondering where to begin or focus your work, we have compiled a list of tips and tricks for creating the best application possible. 

Many of the tips below are specific to written responses, yet EdOdyssey also encourages other forms of scholarship submissions and these tips regarding structural organization and the process of creating your work can be transferable to other submission forms! 

EdOdyssey’s Virtual Program Scholarships are merit-based and accepting on a rolling basis so we encourage all students to apply! Why not explore your thirst for global learning? Show us your passion for world perspectives and share your unique story!

For reference, our submission options for virtual program scholarships include a poetry  portfolio, written responses, videos, and photography. 

• Reflect

Take time to reflect and brainstorm before you create or write your final submission. Think about your past experiences, people who have impacted you, things that bring you joy, or challenges you have faced and overcome. Consider how these experiences, passions or people influence how you connect with the world outside of your community, or the way you see the world. Do they make you want to meet new people, see new places, or experience new things?

• Plan

Once you have some ideas in mind, planning is key. Brainstorming techniques can help you plan out what you want to write or create. Some people find a helpful brainstorming technique to be free writing to get your ideas flowing. Others find that putting a pen or pencil to a piece of paper is a nice first step before typing anything up. Be sure to have the prompts in mind during this stage. 

• Select the type of work that best suits you

As mentioned above, EdOdyssey wants to see you highlight your strengths with this scholarship application. Select the submission type (video, writing, photography, etc.) that will be best for YOU! An inspired and passionate submission will be your best submission. 

• Create from your heart

Writing about or creating something you care a lot about or are passionate about will be a much stronger and powerful final product than trying to write something that you think we want to hear. What we want to hear is YOUR authentic voice! Be YOU and share your uniqueness with us! 

• Organize

Any submission should have a strong structure, beginning with an introduction, followed by your main points, and ending with a conclusion. The piece should be organized into paragraphs of 4-5 sentences based on your different points.

Providing real life examples and experiences to backup any claims you make is essential. Additionally, EdOdyssey’s scholarship applications are evaluated with the company values of Authenticity, Positivity, Harmony, Passion, Professionalism, and Adaptability, and our motto that “Travel Changes People, People Change the World”, in mind. Be sure to connect your responses to these! 

• Proofread before submitting

Before submitting anything, be sure to give your work a thorough review or read-through. Having a parent, friend, or fresh set of eyes look over your work often helps catch any mistakes you may not have noticed and add any final touch ups. 

We look forward to reading and viewing your submissions! To learn more about the EdOdyssey Virtual programs scholarship application Entry form, click here!

Want to learn more about EdOdyssey’s Virtual Study Abroad?

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?