Looking Back on 10 Years of EdOdyssey: A Q&A with President & Founder Peter McGovern
In celebration of EdOdyssey’s 10th anniversary, we checked in with President and Founder Peter McGovern for a chat.
Below, he shares his solopreneur story, the initial vision for the company, and an exciting milestone reached this year. He talks about how EdOdyssey turned the pandemic into a positive, what sets us apart from competitors, why academic travel is increasingly important, and much more.
Congratulations on EdOdyssey’s 10th anniversary! Tell us briefly the story of EdOdyssey’s beginnings and your original vision for the organization.
Thank you! There are so many memories from the past decade. I founded EdOdyssey in 2014 with a clear mission: to create authentic and meaningful educational travel experiences that open minds and change lives. Travel was a vital part of my growth and education throughout high school and college. I learned so much about the world and myself, including some languages, which led to my first job after undergrad as a world language teacher. Though I had no initial plan to enter education, I fell in love with teaching. Sharing my passion for the world, languages, cultures, and building connections with my students was incredibly rewarding. When I couldn’t find a provider that fit my vision for a travel program, I decided to create these programs myself — learning as I went and leveraging a network of friends and connections I made while living abroad. Studying abroad changed my life, and it’s awe-inspiring to play a part in that transformation for thousands of students. My vision was to go beyond traditional tourism, crafting programs that deeply immerse students in local cultures, fostering understanding and personal growth, and building a community where education, travel, and personal development intersect, empowering students to become global citizens.
Why and how is academic travel—both international and domestic—impactful and important?
Academic travel is a powerful educational tool because it takes learning beyond the classroom and into the real world. Experiential opportunities like travel should be a core piece of every student's education. Whether international or domestic, these experiences allow students to engage with many cultures, languages, and perspectives. This hands-on approach not only enhances academic understanding but also builds critical thinking, adaptability, and empathy. By stepping outside their comfort zones, students gain a deeper appreciation for diversity and develop a more nuanced worldview, preparing them to navigate an increasingly interconnected world as professionals, citizens, and humans. As I often say, whether students are exploring their own city, region, or the other side of the world, we're helping them discover the power of the place around them. It doesn't matter if you take a plane, train, or walk around the corner—there is so much to learn and discover by engaging with the world and people around us. This is what our programs do.
What would you consider to be EdOdyssey’s most notable achievements or most important milestones over the past decade?
A particularly special milestone was when we surpassed 1,000 students per year. It was incredible to realize that what started as a single group of about 10 students had grown to impact over a thousand lives annually. As a leader and entrepreneur, it was a moment to reflect on the journey and all the people and relationships that have contributed to our success. While I started EdOdyssey as a solopreneur, the work we do today would be impossible without the processes, systems, learned experiences, and, most importantly, my amazing team at EdOdyssey.
What sets an EdOdyssey program apart from those offered by competitors?
EdOdyssey programs are distinguished by our deep commitment to cultural immersion and customization. We only work in countries my team and I call 'home' because we prioritize authentic experiences, partnering with local communities and experts to provide unique insights and hands-on learning opportunities. We are educators at heart, and our programs are carefully curated to foster not only academic knowledge but also personal growth. Our local relationships and expertise in logistics, health and safety, and travel bring our programs to life. We emphasize reflection and encourage students to connect their experiences abroad with their broader life goals. Additionally, we continually innovate in program models, funding, technology, and processes. I believe we have some of the smartest, most innovative, and passionate people on our team, which sets us apart in the industry.
How have you seen study abroad as an industry evolve over the past 10 years and how has EdOdyssey responded and adapted to these changes?
In the past decade, the study abroad industry has increasingly focused on health and safety, student support, sustainability, and the ethical impact of travel. At EdOdyssey, these considerations have always been integral to our approach. We’ve seamlessly integrated mindful and intentional program design, leveraging our dynamic, in-depth expertise in culture, logistics, health, and safety. The pandemic highlighted the importance of collaboration between providers and universities and our approach has always been to be advisors to help institutions offer the best possible bespoke programs for their students. Students crave connection, authentic experiences, and space to explore and grow, especially after the disruption caused by the pandemic. Our programs are well-suited for these needs, providing supportive and guided experiences that help students navigate and thrive in an interconnected world.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact EdOdyssey and how did you navigate this challenging time?
The pandemic was undoubtedly challenging, as it brought international travel to a halt. However, it also provided an opportunity for innovation. At EdOdyssey, we quickly pivoted to virtual programming, developing online cultural exchange experiences that maintained the essence of our in-person programs. This allowed us to continue engaging students in global learning from their homes and for us as a team, reinforced our resilience and adaptability, core strengths of EdOdyssey. As a leader, navigating the pandemic was one of the most difficult periods, but I’m proud of how we weathered the storm as a team and with the institutions we work with. We handled cancellations, refunds, and even complex international evacuations, building trust and commitment. It was an opportunity to demonstrate our character and core values, which has paid off in karma.
What core values guide the programming and operations at EdOdyssey?
Our core values are authenticity, kindness, passion for travel, and lifelong learning. We seek to create authentic experiences with our students and authentic connections with our partners. We are good to each other, our clients, and the world. We believe in the transformative power of travel and are educators who are as eager to learn as we are to teach. These values guide every aspect of our programming and operations, ensuring that we remain true to our mission and provide meaningful experiences for our students. Something that I'm really proud of as well is that our core values aren't just written down but lived. They’re shared and discussed as a team, they guide strategic decisions, and I believe are really embodied by the team and demonstrated in the work we do every day.
What are you proudest of as President and Founder of EdOdyssey?
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built and the positive impact we’ve had on our students and partners. Seeing our students grow, both academically and personally, is incredibly rewarding. Many have shared how their experiences with EdOdyssey have changed their perspectives and influenced their career paths. I’m also proud of our team, whose passion and dedication make everything we do possible. Our ability to adapt and innovate, especially during challenging times like the pandemic, has been a testament to our collective strength and commitment. I’m proud that we not only survived the pandemic but thrived, with no layoffs and a continued focus on doing good in the world. We’re creating some of the most amazing study abroad programs and positively impacting the future of our world.
Who are some of the people who have played, or continue to play, a crucial role in the success of EdOdyssey?
Our success is a team effort, and I’m grateful for the incredible staff, partners, and supporters who have been with us on this journey. I couldn’t be more grateful for the team at EdOdyssey, both past and present, who have been instrumental in developing and delivering high-quality programs. I’m proud of the tremendous talent and passion we’ve attracted. Our local partners and community members in our host countries have provided invaluable insights and support, enriching our programs with their knowledge and hospitality. Lastly, our students and their families have been a source of inspiration and motivation, reminding us of the importance of our mission. My friends and family have been endlessly supportive and encouraging. I’ve also been fortunate to have advisors who are industry titans and role models, offering tremendous wisdom and guidance.
What are your goals for EdOdyssey moving forward and how do these account for predicted trends for the future of study abroad generally?
We’re on a mission to make travel a part of more students’ education, and as we grow our capacity to support more students, we’re being mindful of our approach, mission, and core values. Last year, we added three new destinations. As the importance of the first-year experience and experiential learning continues to grow, we anticipate a greater integration of study abroad into the curriculum at both secondary and tertiary levels. Schools are looking for high-impact learning experiences for their students, and we’re excited to partner with institutions to create programs that are impactful and serve as an investment in their students and, ultimately, the institution. We aim to continue leading the way in providing transformative educational travel experiences while staying true to our core values and mission.
Thanks Peter!
