Looking Back on Some of Our Favorite EdOdyssey Study Abroad Programs
Over the past 10 years since EdOdyssey began, we have enjoyed crafting an incredible range of study abroad programs for students whose ages span from middle school to university. Each of our custom programs is different and perfectly tailored to the topic of study, academic learning objectives, vision of the program leader, and other requests and requirements of our partner school.
For fun—and to inspire you if you’re considering working with us—we asked some of our staff members to share one program that they had a hand in creating or leading that has stood out for them in recent years and why.
Worcester Academic Spain Immersion, 2019
Chosen by: Peter McGovern, EdOdyssey President & Founder
Location: Spain (Madrid, Seville, Granada, Córdoba)
Trip length: 10 days
Level: Curated to complement the Advanced Placement Spanish curriculum for AP students as well as younger students. The trip was open to all students studying Spanish in grades 9-12.
Overview: This was a pre-pandemic program in which students explored several districts of Spain. Students experienced the vibrant capital city of Madrid and traveled through the culturally rich landscapes of Andalucia to visit Seville, Granada, and Córdoba. They learned about historical influences that have shaped modern Spain, and focused in on art, architecture, and sports while also incorporating plenty of language practice. Highlights included a visit to Real Madrid’s stadium where students were able to sit on the player benches and walk on the turf, leaning some flamenco dance steps with a local musician, and engaging with local fishermen in the picturesque coastal city of La Coruña. The last two days included a homestay experience during which students attended a local school with their host sibling and spent an afternoon with their host family.
Peter said: “Leading this program was a special experience for me, and it's been rewarding to hear from students even years later. I know that at least a handful of them chose to study abroad during their undergraduate years thanks to this impactful journey!”
Fine Arts & Culture in London, St. Mary’s School, 2024
Chosen by: Maddie Reeves, Program Operations Manager
Location: UK (London, Windsor)
Trip length: One week
Level: Middle school
Overview: This was an action-packed week in the global city of London—home to 287 ethnic groups and nationalities, where more than 300 languages are spoken and 49.5% of the population is bilingual! Our energetic students enjoyed a bus tour of London's landmarks, an acting class at Shakespeare’s Globe, wanders through both Borough Market and Camden Market, watching a West End musical and a play, a Yeoman Warder tour at the Tower of London, a trip to Harry Potter Studios, a ride on the London Eye, a day in Windsor exploring the town and touring the castle, playing a life-size Monopoly game and games at TOCA Social, taking guided tours of both Wimbledon and the Chelsea FC stadium, shopping on Oxford Street, a walk through Hyde Park, and a stroll past Buckingham Palace. Phew! Of course, they also had memorable food experiences: dinners in Covent Garden, a Sunday roast, high tea, and a dinner cruise on the Thames.
Maddie said: "This program was so much fun to dream up and create with our counterparts at St. Mary's! We crafted a customized itinerary that really gave their students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in theatre, athletics, and history/culture in the UK! Seeing the pictures and videos from the program and hearing the positive student feedback was heartwarming!”
Environmental Science in Peru, Michigan State University, 2024
Chosen by: Kyle Simmons, Director of Institutional Partnerships and Luis García, our Program Director in Peru
Location: Peru (Lima, Sacred Valley, Amazon)
Trip length: One month
Level: University
Overview: This program gave students not only the chance to think about and compare science communication between the US and Peru, but also the opportunity to hear from regional experts all around the country. They spent time in the coastal capital of Lima, explored the highlands of the Andes including the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, and ventured into the Amazon rainforest. In each of these very different environments, they met with local connections and discovered new experiences. Among so many other experiences, they visited universities and a variety of institutions related to their subject area and an investigative journalism outlet, spent a lot of time in boats observing wildlife around rivers and wetlands, visited a low-income neighborhood and soup kitchen in Villa el Salvador where they met a local family, enjoyed a Peruvian cooking class, fished and ate piranhas in the Amazon, and rode the Inca Rail through incredible scenery bursting with history.
Kyle said: “Environmental Journalism was a perfect subject to study outside the classroom. Students got to meet fellow students, journalists, and scientists studying climate in their settings. They got to explore their subject through so many different lenses. The program idea, faculty leader, and students all came together to create a really special experience for these travelers, and they all had rave reviews about their time in Peru.
Luis said: "This program is my favorite, hands down. The students spent almost a full month in my home country, which allowed for them to explained day-to-day life, whether that was sightseeing, having great Peruvian food, or even navigating rush-hour traffic. We also got to visit the Tambopata national reserve in the rainforest bordering Bolivia, which was a first even for me. What was great about this particular group was how invested they were in getting to know Peru and everything about it, not being afraid of asking tough questions, voicing their compliments, opinions and concerns. This program felt like a mini study abroad semester, and I was fortunate to see our group evolve in their Peruvian experience.”
The Latinx Patient: Spanish and Culture for Healthcare, 2021
Chosen by: Luis García, our Program Director in Peru
Location: Online
Program length: 6 weeks
Level: University
Overview: In response to the pandemic’s impact on the fields of travel and study abroad, we pivoted temporarily to apply our values and principles to online courses. This particular course, taught by Peruvian professionals in collaboration with El Sol Spanish Language School, fused critical Spanish vocabulary related to the medical field with cultural contextualization of Latin American immigrant populations in the U.S. The course was based on the notion that medical care improves from a holistic understanding of the patient and that cultural competence in US medical professionals serving a Latinx population makes a difference in how this community feels about seeking medical treatment or advice as well as their perception of the adequacy of care.
NOTE: We were thrilled to bring back our in-person programs and no longer run online courses. However, this really unique approach exemplified in the Latinx Patient in which we combine culture and language is still very much alive in our programs today. Ask us for examples if you’re interested in learning more!
Luis said: "I developed this medical Spanish online course. Since EdOdyssey focuses on cultural literacy and immersion, we zeroed in on the community aspect of language, rather than technical jargon. We taught students how to connect with Hispanic/Latino patients using Spanish that went beyond typical grammar conventions and rules. We also presented topics of traditional medicine, superstitions and beliefs that are very much alive in this community, and how to navigate these as healthcare professionals, listening to our patients instead of ruling out their stories.” [Note: Luis, as well as being our Program Director in Peru, is a LSA Qualified Medical Interpreter.]
Intensive Faculty-Led Semester in Florence, George Mason University, Spring 2022
Chosen by: Stefano Parenti, our Senior Program Director in Italy
Location: Italy (Florence, Turin)
Program length: 12 weeks
Level: University
Overview: This program, customized for George Mason University students, pulled from our existing Florence semester program to embrace a faculty-led approach. Courses and extracurricular activities were designed in collaboration with our partners Florence University of the Arts (FUA). Students were fully immersed in Italian culture, language, history, art, and lifestyle. The program incorporated activities that allowed students to interact with the local community as well as re-entry support and career development guidance. Experiential learning was a strong component of the academic program, complemented by traditional classroom education. Students took 3-6 credits of Italian language, 6-9 credits from the countless course options at FUA, and 3 Mason-faculty-taught credits. Before departure, they enjoyed 10 hours of Italian language and culture courses in a virtual setting with a native instructor.
Stefano said: “It was a privilege to organize a two-day edo retreat/orientation in a small medieval village in the beautiful Tuscan countryside before students checked in at their accommodation in Florence. This was a great way to relax after the long flight while reflecting on the upcoming program. I also had the pleasure of leading them on a long weekend titled “Turin: A Royal City” to discover in the northwest of Italy off the beaten tracks. We visited the Langhe region where the Slow Food movement was founded and the Alps where we enjoyed an intriguing hike with a local guide.”
LGBTQ History in San Fransico, Northeastern University, 2022
Chosen by: Sarah Reid, Director of Program Operations
Location: USA (San Francisco, CA)
Program length: Day trip excursion
Level: University
Overview: The exploratory visit to San Francisco to understand LGBTQ history was actually an excursion that was part of a longer program for our Global Scholars students in Oakland, California. They visited the Castro district in Eureka Valley, starting off with a trip to the GLBT Historical Society Museum to learn about the history and culture of the community, which is celebrated through exhibitions and events. This is the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history in the US. Then they took the Rainbow Honor Walk (LGBTQ Walk of Fame - full of bronze plaques) with a local expert during which they learned about notable members of the LGBTQ community from around the world who left a lasting mark on history. They finished their day enjoying a meal at a local restaurant that is queer-owned and -operated.
Sarah said: “Students that went on the program said it was a very impactful and fun experience.”
Interested in creating a program of your own for a group of students?
