In the age of COVID-19, we all know that we can’t predict the future or know what exactly is to come. But let’s have some hope! 

As a study abroad alum whose experience was cut short, I’ve learned over the past year about taking each new experience in stride, and being thankful for opportunities and the lessons you learn from facing adversity. Using connections, reaching out, and keeping a positive outlook on the future will set you up for personal success and positive experiences. 

Over the past year, my experiences have helped me reflect on the importance of keeping an open mind, staying persistent, and being thankful for the opportunities that come my way. 

Building a Life Abroad in Peru: The Positive Effects

In retrospect, I went to Peru to study abroad for the year knowing very little about the country or what I was getting myself into. You can read all you want about a place but nothing can fully prepare you for what you experience. 

I am eternally grateful for the seven months I spent in Lima. 

During this time, I became a part of my host family and integrated into Peruvian society. In and out of school I learned about Peruvian history and the intricacies of Peruvian culture. With time, I assimilated to new ways of life and of doing things. I reflected on the pros and cons of various aspects of both Peruvian and American society. 

My time in Lima helped me grow as an individual, a learner, and a global citizen. 

The more I saw and experienced, the more curious and excited I became about understanding the world’s societies and all of its different facets. Returning to the U.S., I was filled with a passion for Peru, Latin America, and learning about cultures. 

I knew that this experience was only at the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning, understanding, exploring, and engaging with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. In the middle of a global pandemic and grieving the loss of my second semester studying in Peru, I was still hopeful for the adventures to come. 

Gained Perspective: The EdOdyssey Summer 2020 Internship 

When internships were increasingly being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden shift to fully remote summer internships, EdOdyssey CEO and Holy Cross alumni, Peter McGovern, put an internship opportunity on Handshake for Holy Cross students. With the intent on helping provide a useful summer opportunity for students who may be in a pickle due the pandemic, EdOdyssey was also in need of passionate college students who could help with social media presence, and content creation related to study abroad and international education. 

Having come home from Peru in March instead of late July, I suddenly found myself in need of a summer internship. When my friend sent a screenshot of the EdOdyssey Handshake internship post, I was quickly intrigued. While I do not have plans to go into marketing in the future, I am extremely passionate about study abroad and EdOdyssey’s programs. 

New Times, New Challenges

The summer internship turned out to be a wonderful learning and growth experience. I have learned invaluable professional skills related to communication, technology, and marketing. I have also grown as a creator, team member, and writer. 

A particularly exciting aspect of my internship with EdOdyssey has been witnessing the new virtual programs come alive. A key aspect of the Virtual study abroad program is that students take part in a weekly cultural module with the Peruvian EdOdyssey team. 

Seeing the cultural module agenda for the semester, I was excited by how thoughtfully put together it was. From Peruvian history, to soccer fanaticism, to cuisine and music, so much of the Peruvian society I had experienced was covered in the program. 

New Opportunities for Study Abroad

More than anything, the virtual programs have shown me the power of taking a challenging time and making the best of it with the resources you have and a bit of creativity. 

EdOdyssey didn’t step away from international education when the times got tough. Instead, they innovated and created something new that would still positively impact students and help them grow into global citizens. 

This mentality of staying positive is one which I encourage students to have when it comes to studying abroad in the future. For now, virtual opportunities are an incredible way to get a taste of what different places and cultures around the world have to offer. Yet looking to the future, hopefully students will be able to travel again soon and I encourage them to embrace the opportunity and engage with an international community. 

Especially after experiencing a global pandemic, traveling to a new country will be particularly interesting to learn about other experiences during these difficult times and how people have persevered just as students in the U.S. have. 

Moving Forward: Step By Step

Looking ahead, we can only create conjectures about the future. We don’t know what will happen next week, next month, next semester, or next year. I emphasize this sentiment because staying in the present and valuing the opportunities that come your way will help you prepare for and stay positive as you head into this unknown future. 

Valuing and fully taking in every experience we have as a learning and growth opportunity helps align us for new challenges ahead. The unique times right now teach us about perseverance, community well-being, self-care, and the importance of being creative. These are all traits that can be translated to experiences like studying abroad. For young students, these challenging times build a solid foundation for future international engagement! 

My time in Peru, which was challenging, fun, and educational in a multitude of ways at the time, has helped me both grasp a more global understanding of the current reality of the pandemic. It guided me to an internship opportunity that has helped me grow professionally and personally while helping out the company.  

It’s okay to be nervous for the future and to try our best to plan. But at the end of the day, we have to be thankful for the opportunities we have and keep a positive attitude as we fall asleep and wait for the sun to rise on a brand new day of opportunities.

Step by step, day by day, and week by week, embrace the moments and build upon them to create your own path and your own future. If something doesn’t go as planned, remember that you haven’t even scraped the possibilities that this world has to offer. Go and seize every moment, every opportunity. 

Want to know what led me to travel abroad in the first place? Check out my first EdOdyssey blog as an intern to learn more about how my youth experiences inspired me to study abroad!