New England Roots, Global Connections: On Thinking Local Wherever We Travel

Here in New England, the seasons change with a rhythm that feels uniquely ours—brisk winter walks under snow-covered branches, sun warming our skin as spring settles in, long summer evenings on the beach, and the brilliance of the autumn leaves beckoning us to kick through a neat pile for nostalgia’s sake. Nature’s patterns bring a distinct character to this region, and that plays a certain role in shaping the way we think, connect, and learn. 

At EdOdyssey, this cycle of New England seasons gives us a sense of rootedness that is integral to our identity and it stays with us even as we cross state borders and as we travel over oceans. From our home base in Boston, it feels like something truly special to be able to partner with local schools and universities who share both our roots and the vision of being able to impart their students with a global outlook. 

COMBINING LOCAL ROOTS WITH A GLOBAL VISION

Of course, our work extends far beyond New England. Across the US, we partner with institutions in many different states, and they also share our values (if not our appreciation for duck boots). We also find a bond in our common goal to ignite students’ curiosity about the wider world and to give them tools and opportunities to engage meaningfully with cultures and communities across the globe.

Most, if not all, of our team members at EdOdyssey have worked directly in secondary classrooms or university study abroad offices. We’ve walked in the shoes of the teachers and advisors we work with as an organization today—grappling with roadblocks like budget constraints, logistical challenges, and ensuring students feel supported on their travels. This insider perspective allows us to meet our partners with empathy, insight, and understanding, but also with actionable solutions and exciting proposals.

A HYPER-LOCAL APPROACH: A CORNERSTONE OF EDODYSSEY’S PHILOSOPHY

The best way—we believe—to understand the world beyond our own doorsteps is through authentic connection with the people and communities that call each location home. Combine this with an open mind and a genuine curiosity about traditions, language, histories, and belief systems, and this is the heart of EdOdyssey’s hyper-local approach.

When students travel with us to Peru, they might take an excursion into Cusco. They don’t just see Machu Picchu and snap a few photos for Instagram; they go deeper. They might sit beside members of the Amaru community in the Sacred Valley and learn traditional Andean weaving techniques that have been passed down through generations. They are able to touch the alpaca wool, appreciate its texture, and see the vibrance of color that comes from natural dyes.

When students travel with us to Italy, they don’t just eat gelato and take a stroll past David for a quick photo; they might participate in activities to understand the mafia and migration in Sicily, take part in a cooking class with a local chef who emphasizes the importance of fresh ingredients and shares not only recipes but stories, experience a Greek tragedy acted out in an ancient theater, or have the educational thrill of hiking the slopes of Mt. Etna with a volcanologist.

Closer to home, when we lead groups of students from Northeastern University’s Global Scholars program to explore their new temporary “home” in and around Boston, we aim to give them a real sense of place and connection with the community. One activity they love is learning about the social and human history of Cape Cod by having conversations with local artists and shopkeepers. They also tour a working cranberry bog and meet with the owners, learning about local agriculture and the history of the business.

THE POWER OF LOCAL EXPERTISE

Our ability to create and facilitate these impactful and transformative experiences for our students comes from decades of building relationships that are rooted in trust, mutual respect, and authenticity.

EdOdyssey’s President and Founder Peter McGovern has lived, worked, or studied in three of the countries that were some of our first study abroad locations—Peru, China, and Spain. His personal connections in these places—and importantly, the kindness and willingness of the people he met along these journeys—were key to allowing us to begin to create such distinctive experiences, paving the way for our first students—and, of course, our future students—to gain a deeper understanding of each destination and the local community.

STAYING TRUE TO OUR ROOTS

In order to expand our impact, our business and team have grown significantly over the years and we’ve increased our number of locations, but our purpose and philosophy—a commitment to a hyper-local approach—remains unchanged (unlike our New England seasons). And each new person who joins our team—whether in another area of the US or further afield—comes with their own deep connections and valuable knowledge of the place they call home.

“We’re proud to be a small, New England-based company with global expertise,” Peter said. “Our growth has allowed us to reach more students and destinations, but the heart of EdOdyssey has stayed the same; investing locally—both here in New England and in communities around the world—allows us to create global impact and to build and manage unparalleled, high-impact, authentic experiences for students that no one else can replicate.”

And so whether you look forward to seeing those first New England snowflakes float past your office window like we do each year or you’re happily basking in the Arizona desert sun year round, we’d love to connect over a shared vision to give your students a powerful and unforgettable—even transformational—experience.

First step? Reach out and start a conversation!