One of our core beliefs at EdOdyssey is in the power of experiential learning. Students retain so much when they have opportunities to learn in a hands-on scenario beyond a classroom environment and the chance to interact with the community.

This fall, we’ve continued our partnership with Northeastern University’s Global Scholar program, guiding Oakland-based first year students through some of our favorite places in California. Since 2022, our collaboration has taken some wonderful cohorts—made up of a mix of international and domestic students—on a deep dive into the culture, history, and natural wonders of the Bay Area while giving them opportunities to develop meaningful connections with one another along the way. 

Each semester, we lead the Global Scholar students on a weekend excursion and a handful of day trips so that they can get to know the region they’re temporarily calling home. Each of these experiences is designed specifically for them, immersing the students in the power of the place around them while bringing academic studies to life and building community along the way.

Below are some highlights from the Fall semester 2024.

A WEEKEND OF HIKING IN LAKE TAHOE

Our weekend adventure began with a scenic Friday evening drive from campus toward California’s border with Nevada. Destination: Lake Tahoe—one of the largest and deepest lakes in the US. The lake sits nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains some 6,225 feet above sea level, and its crystal clear water and beautiful alpine scenery would greet us when we woke up on Saturday morning. 

That day, the group split into two. On group embarked on a high ropes course team-building activity at Tahoe Treetops, which was a hit. “The most popular activity was the Treetops Adventure that gave the students the opportunity to test their courage high above ground amongst Lake Tahoe's famous Jeffrey Pines,” EdOdyssey Excursion Leader Theresa Condon shared. “It was an excellent opportunity to bond with other students to complete the obstacle courses, and enjoy time in the great outdoors.”

We enjoyed reading the feedback from students in our end-of-term surveys, one of whom shared, “I learned that I am not as scared of heights as I thought I was when I tried the ropes course at Tahoe Treetops. The ropes course helped me determine that my sensory seeking experiences conquered my anxiety.”

Those who preferred to keep their feet on the ground were invited to participate in a different activity. This group headed over to UC Davis Environmental Science Center & Museum where they had the opportunity to explore the museum exhibitions and hear from docents about the lake’s ecosystem and research efforts to sustain and protect the lake and surrounding environment. 

The group then had some free time to wander around and shop in Tahoe City and then came together for dinner and bowling at Tahoe Bowl. 

On Sunday, we learned about the local flora and fauna and the natural and human history of the area on a guided hike. A spiritual place for the Washoe Tribe for thousands of years and now very popular with tourists, this is an area rich in biodiversity with forests of pine, fir, and aspen surrounding the lake. There are black bears, bald eagles, coyotes, and quite a few species of fish, like trout. We also tested the local streams under guidance of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center!

Later, we sat next to the lake in small groups for a guided mindfulness journaling session among breathtaking views, and we enjoyed a picnic lunch before returning to campus.

“The students' response to their experience on both Lake Tahoe weekends I led this fall was overwhelmingly positive,” Theresa said. “The natural beauty of the region was especially appreciated by students who were unfamiliar with the area. At the conclusion of the weekend, many of the students expressed appreciation for the mental break it provided them from their studies, and an eagerness to return to Lake Tahoe at the next opportunity!”

A DAY TRIP TO TOUR ALCATRAZ

We took the ferry from San Francisco to visit the storied Alcatraz Island. A park ranger briefed us on the island’s history when we arrived before we set out on a self-guided audio tour of the prison and the island in small groups.

We learned about its use—by Native American tribes, including the Ohlone—as a place of isolation or punishment before European settlement. Later, it was used by the U.S. Army which established a military fort here, and it was a key place of defense during the California Gold Rush. From 1934, it operated as a maximum-security federal prison until 1963, for some of the most notorious criminals in the US like Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert Stroud (The Birdman of Alcatraz). In 1969, it was occupied by Native American activists in an attempt to bring attention to Indigenous rights. 

That afternoon, we ate lunch on Pier 39, and took in the stunning views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay. Students enjoyed some free time to visit shops and attractions on the pier with the option to take a brief walking tour to see the sea lions.

A DAY TRIP TO HIKE NEAR GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE AND IN MUIR WOODS

On this day trip, our morning began with a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center exhibit before we walked on the nearby trains to catch glimpses of the iconic bridge from different vantage points. Spanning the Golden Gate Strait where San Francisco Bay meets the Pacific Ocean, this engineering marvel is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

Fun Fact: The paint color “international orange” was chosen to enhance visibility in the city’s frequent fog. Parts must be re-painted continuously to protect it from corrosion by the salty sea air!

Later, we crossed the bridge took a hike through Muir Woods National Park (named after naturalist and conservationist John Muir) where we were able to see the legendary Coastal Redwoods up close. These ancient giants are some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world! They can reach over 370 feet and live for more than 2,000 years. 

For lunch, we stopped in Sausalito, and students enjoyed some free time to explore in small groups before heading back to campus.

A DAY TRIP TO ENGAGE WITH CURIOSITY AT THE EXPLORATORIUM

San Francisco’s Exploratorium always makes for a fun (and educational) day trip. We arrived with a sense of curiosity and left with a sense of wonder. We engaged with interactive exhibits that explore science, art, and perception, and the intersection of the three.

There are six different galleries with plenty of hands-on activities to discover here: 

• Human Phenomena, where we tested our reaction times and experienced optical illusions

• Tinkering Studio, where we built gadgets and experimented with different tools

• Seeing and Listening, where we inhaled in shadow play and color experiments

• Living Systems, where we learned about microbes and the interconnectedness of life

• Outdoor Exploratorium, on the bayside deck, where we learned about weather and tidal systems

• Observing landscapes, where sand ripple machines and seismic activity monitors captured our attention

To add a layer of amusement, we used Scavify to have a digital scavenger hunt in the museum. 

After lunch in the museum’s cafe, we stopped by the vibrant Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in the Ferry Building next door. This is one of the most popular farmers markets in the Bay Area with fresh produce, artisan breads and cheeses, flowers, and much more.

A DAY TRIP TO UNDERSTAND LGBTQ+ CULTURE + HISTORY IN SAN FRANCISCO

Students spent a day exploring LGBTQ+ culture and history in San Francisco. 

Here’s a brief, whirlwind history: San Francisco was home to the first documented LGBTQ+ bar in the US—the Dash, which opened in 1908. By the 1930s and 1940s, the North Beach neighborhood became an LGBTQ+ hub, frequently victim to police raids. After WWII, the local LGBTQ+ population grew, and by the 1950s, there were several advocacy groups with a significant presence in the city. In 1977, Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, and he championed LGBTQ+ rights, helping to transform the Castro district into a thriving queer community. After his assassination, the White Night Riots left their mark. This was followed by the AIDS epidemic which devastated the community in the 1980s. In 2004, Mayor Gavin Newsom allowed the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and decades of activism in San Francisco certainly played a role in the US Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling to legalize same-sex marriage.

We took a guided walking tour of the Castro District with a local LGBTQ+ civil rights activist and a self-guided tour of the GLBT Historical Society Museum—one of few museums in the world dedicated to LGBTQ+ history and culture. Students had some free time to explore the local area, and wenenjoyed a group lunch and guided reflection at a local restaurant before heading back to campus.

“I loved learning about the Castro District and its history from our tour guide,” one of our students shared in the end-of-term survey. “I was also able to have meaningful conversations with everyone on the trip which I enjoyed." 

A DAY TRIP TO EXPLORE THE POST-COVID REVITALIZATION OF SAN FRANCISCO

The Bay Area was hit profoundly—economically, socially, and physically—by Covid-19. Many small businesses in particular struggled to survive, and many offices are still vacant. The population declined as people moved out for larger homes or lower living costs, and the pandemic exacerbated the local homelessness crisis. 

We spent a day here to find out about how art and local artists are playing a role in the region’s revitalization.

We started our day in Oakland with a tour of The Crucible Arts School. This unique and innovative community space blends industrial arts, education, and community building with hands-on classes and workshops in areas like welding, blacksmithing, glassblowing, ceramics, woodworking, and more. Making the arts accessible to everyone by offering sliding scale pricing, youth scholarships, and free community events is a priority.

Then we visited The Drawing Room Annex in San Francisco. This is more than an art gallery; it’s a space where art intersects with community, activism, and the spirit of San Francisco itself. It creates opportunities for creative expression in a city where affordability challenges can make access to gallery spaces difficult. The artists there are partnering with the building owners to use their empty spaces at a discount to try and attract new buyers. “Many buildings in post-Covid San Francisco are sitting empty and falling apart, which makes them more difficult to sell,” EdOdyssey excursion leader, Natasha Civ, said. “Until you put pretty things in them!”

The day finished at Harrington’s Bar and Grill, where we heard from Ben, a local man who rallied small business owners during Covid to pass bills that benefited them and protected their businesses. They are helping keep San Francisco alive by collaborating with the local community there to bring arts and events downtown. This is helping all of the businesses including hotels, restaurants, and shops stay open. 

“This was an informative excursion that allowed students to speak with local artists first-hand and hear about their lived experiences,” Natasha said. “It was a truly beautiful exchange for everyone!”

WRAPPING UP

As the fall semester wraps up, we look ahead to the spring semester of 2025, when we’ve arranged a weekend away to Monterey for the Global Scholars. Students will go whale-watching, visit the aquarium, relax on a picnic, have some free time to shop on Cannery Row, tour 17-Mile-Drive with several stops along the way, and end with a movie night.

We’re excited to continue to lead these excursions so students can forge a connection with the region and with each other.

“As an EdOdyssey Excursion Leader, I have observed that the opportunities to explore the natural surroundings of the San Francisco Bay Area (Lake Tahoe, Muir Woods, Jack London State Park) seem to have the deepest impact,” Theresa said. “I have had many conversations with students who are so curious and eager to explore beyond the campus. That sense of adventure is an important quality for these Global Scholars to nurture throughout their lives. I believe the EdOdyssey/Northeastern programs are very effective in providing opportunities to do so.”

DESIGNING A CUSTOM FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE OR SHORT-TERM FACULTY-LED PROGRAM WITH EDODYSSEY

Over the past 10 years, we’ve become experts at crafting student travel experiences that align with the unique vision, academic objectives, and other expectations of our partner institutions. We build custom first year experiences as well as short-term faculty-led programs—in both domestic and international destinations—working closely with you to design meaningful itineraries that lean into high-impact experiential learning and focus on community connection.