April Feature - Julia P.: How Study Abroad Builds Perspective
In this month’s feature you’ll meet Julia “GG” P., an EdOdyssey alumnae and current senior at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. She spoke with us about how travel has changed her, and you’ll see how her past experiences abroad continue to shape her and her future plans.
GG’s START IN TRAVEL
Originally from New Hampshire, she relocated to central Massachusetts to attend Worcester Academy, a prep school in Worcester. As a student, she played hockey and jumped at any opportunity to travel.
Reflecting on her upbringing, she credits her grandma for her endless curiosity about the world. Born in Ecuador, GG’s grandmother attended college in the US, where she met her husband, GG’s grandfather, in Missouri.
In high school, GG participated in two international adventures that remain close to her heart today. The first was to the Dominican Republic where she spent a week teaching English to students in an elementary and middle school (grades 1- 8). The second brought her to Peru with EdOdyssey.
Her time in Peru, as she recalls, was “a 10 wild days” of on-the-go adventure during her Spring Break in March 2017. The itinerary included Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu and left her feeling “renewed.”
After graduating from Worcester Academy, she chose to continue her education just a few miles away at College of the Holy Cross. As a freshman, she walked onto the hockey team and this year, as a senior, was named captain. She is currently a Senior majoring in physics with a minor in Latinx & Caribbean Studies.
A LOOK BACK AT PERU
Sasaywoman, the ancient Incan ruins just outside of downtown Cusco, remains a favorite. She was in awe of the architecture and still remembers the humbling feeling of exploring the ruins:
“I never felt so small.”
Four years after her time in Peru, she still vividly recalls the dew and the clouds covering the landscape and the surrounding Andes mountains in the distance. Almost all people think of Peru and Machu Picchu, but she says that these ancient ruins continue to stand out to her.
ADVICE FOR HER YOUNGER SELF
If given the chance, she was asked about what she would say to the high school version of herself.
Her advice to other younger students? Totally immerse yourself in the experience, build relationships with the rest of the group, and live in the moment.
After her trip to Peru, they had a unique common bond and she wishes that she had longer lasting friendships.
LOOKING AHEAD IN HER CAREER
Her ambitions go beyond working in a lab, and she plans to get more involved with project & program management.
“I love physics, and I like the challenge of being a part of a major that is mostly represented by men.”
Her aspirations include traveling the world as a project manager because, as she shared:
"I want more of a world view for the rest of my life."
In preparation for graduation, some thoughts and advice came to mind that she shared with her fellow college athletes.
STUDY ABROAD & TRAVEL TIPS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES
GG provided us some great tips and insights for students involved in sports:
Have the conversation with your coach: If you’re not in season, take some time and show that it means a lot to you. She feels lucky to have a supportive coach who understands her passion for travel.
Use your time management skills: Manage your time, plan ahead, and look at your courses!
Go solo: Coming from a college team and teammates, sometimes it can feel different to break out and go off on your own, and as GG says:
“Don’t be afraid to travel on your own.”
The pandemic disrupted her plans to study abroad and do a May-mester in Spain, but she has plans to travel after she graduates to continue learning more abroad.
STAYING CONNECTED TO EXPERIENCES ABROAD
Her friends and family have kept the conversations alive, and their chats have fueled her future plans.
Friends: Sarah, a friend on campus, studied abroad in Peru and GG feels like they have stayed close because both of them connected to the Peruvian culture and experience.
Family: She has family in Ecuador, and her grandma came from Ecuador, so it allows her to stay connected with those experiences.
Future Planning: Her conversations have helped her keep travel high on her list and not lose sight of it.
“It’s important to give travel a shot!”
LESSONS LEARNED FROM PAST EXPERIENCES
When looking back at previous travel experiences, GG offers her insights and perspective:
“Travel is something that everyone can enjoy if they are presented an opportunity.”
On her past travel experiences, including EdOdyssey experience, she noticed a lot of students from different interests and backgrounds come together and really bonded throughout the experience. When asked about EdOdyssey’s reflections, she shared the following:
“I learned a lot from Peter [McGovern, President of EdOdyssey] and the way he sees the world. He was always excited.”
She learned a lot from her younger brother, Mitchell, who reminded her to take photos with her. Their experiences together were a surprise when he opened up more than she had expected.
“My relationship with my brother grew incredible amounts in such a short period of time.”
FUTURE PLANS & ADVICE FOR HER PEERS
Experiences provide us insights into other people and their careers, and GG encourages her peers to not feel pressure for a rigid career path.
“It's important to learn from people and their experiences, but it also takes time to do that.”
She wants her peers to focus on the end goal and reflect on the fact that there won’t be one path to get there. For her, project management doesn’t exactly connect with her physics major, but she sees her past experiences as a great stepping stone for her career.
As our team and our world builds back to student travel, we hope that her experiences show that the power of travel and how it unites different parts of our lives!
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