Celebrating a Decade of EdOdyssey at PIE Live: A Dinner to Remember

In the elegant French Library in Boston’s charming Back Bay neighborhood, an inspirational group of leaders, educators, partners, study abroad advocates, and friends from the international education community recently gathered for an intimate dinner in celebration of a special milestone: EdOdyssey’s 10th anniversary. 

Filled with laughter, delicious flavors, and friendship, this evening set the tone perfectly for the beginning of International Education Week and the PIE Live North America conference where our shared vision and purpose would lead us all into several more days of connection, learning, and meaningful conversations about the transformative power of global experiences.

A THOUGHTFULLY CURATED CULINARY EXPERIENCE

In a beautiful setting, we all sat down to share a meal together. “Each course of the dinner was thoughtfully chosen and represents the way we think of cultural exchange in culinary form,” said Kyle Simmons, EdOdyssey’s Director of Institutional Partnerships. 

Our menu showcased flavours selected specifically to honor the cultures and regions where we work. Each bite took our senses on a journey into places where we have established deep connections with the culture and local communities over the past 10 years. 

On the menu, with locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, was: 

• Miso-glazed eggplant skewers, inspired by China and Japan, blending miso’s flavors with the delicate texture of eggplant to reflect this region’s culinary artistry.

• Mini caprese skewers, inspired by Italy, a classic combination that embodies the simplicity and elegance of the Italian approach to food.

• Mini tortilla bites, inspired by this beloved, comforting dish popular across much of Spain.

• Mini shepherd’s pie bites, hearty and warm, inspired by Ireland’s tradition of comfort food on cold evenings.

• Peruvian-style yucca fries with spicy aioli, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside with a zesty sauce, inspired by the bold flavors of Peru.

• Lobster macaroni, inspired by New England, and a luxurious homage to the coastal influence that makes it into many recipes from this area.

• Butternut squash velouté, which honors EdOdyssey’s roots in the US, where we’ve worked with dozens of universities and students to spark curiosity and growth.

• Risotto with Asian pear, broccoli purée, and Parmesan cream, which nods to our programs in Europe, where students embrace creativity and find joy in learning through culture.

• Green tea matcha mousse was a wonderfully light and mindful dessert inspired by our programs in Japan, where students learn patience, respect, and balance.

To complement the meal, we also enjoyed red wine sake sangria and pisco sours. “The red wine sake sangria was a perfect fusion of Japan and Spain, where we offer programming, of course,” Kyle said.

A NIGHT OF REFLECTION, LAUGHTER, AND CONNECTION

The evening began with a warm welcome from EdOdyssey’s President and Founder, Peter McGovern, pleased to be able to host this event in his home city. He expressed gratitude to our guests for their support and partnership over the past decade. “Tonight, we celebrate not just EdOdyssey’s milestone, but the collective work we all do to create a more connected and compassionate world,” Peter said. 

Peter also highlighted the significance of the evening coinciding with International Education Week, calling it, “a perfect moment to reflect on how travel and education can transform lives.”

Throughout the night, the atmosphere buzzed with camaraderie and thought-provoking conversations about the future of the field, interspersed with both hilarious and profound travel stories from the group’s collected experiences as international educators. 

“Most people I meet at international education conferences are super affable, curious, and funny storytellers, and this group was no exception,” Kyle said. “It was inspiring to see how aligned everyone was with the idea of authentic, human-centered cultural exchange and the impact it can have—not only on the students we serve, but on the world at large.” 

A SMALL TOKEN WITH A BIG MESSAGE

As a memorable evening wound down and drew to close, each guest received a small but meaningful token of gratitude that would serve as a reminder of the impact we create together. It was a pin with EdOdyssey’s motto, “Travel changes people, people change the world,” which speaks to the heart of what we do.

In his closing remarks, Peter shared its significance. “EdOdyssey’s journey over the last decade has been one of transformation—not just for our students, but for our team and the communities we’ve partnered with,” he said. “Our work isn’t just about travel; it’s about sparking curiosity, compassion, and lifelong learning.”

LOOKING AHEAD

In reality, our 10th anniversary dinner was more than just a celebration; it was a reaffirmation of EdOdyssey’s commitment to transforming education through meaningful experiences across the globe, through culture and collaboration, and through community and connection. We promise to remain dedicated to sparking curiosity, compassion, and lifelong learning, one adventure at a time. 

“I want to thank each of you for your friendship, partnership, and support,” Peter said. “As we toast to 10 years, let’s also look forward to the future: to new partnerships, new adventures, and even more transformative experiences. Cheers to 10 years, to the future, and to all of you who make this work possible.”