The EdOdyssey Team is made up of dedicated staff from around the world!
Take a mini virtual trip🧳to see how we each uniquely get into the spirit of the season:

Stefano, Senior Program Director, Italy

In the picturesque Italian Alps, Stefano enjoys celebrating with his family while sharing a traditional Panettone- a sweet bread filled with raisins, candied fruit and almonds. Stefano always includes a thoughtful prayer for world peace during his holiday celebrations.

Peter, President/ Founder,
Massachusetts

In Boston, Peter likes to go for a holiday walk with Wyatt & Hailey to check out the special Boston Christmas Tree. Since 1971, the tree has been a gift from Nova Scotia to Boston in thanks for first responder assistance given after the 1917 explosion in Halifax, the largest non-nuclear explosion in recorded history. The tree is a beautiful staple decoration in the city around the holidays and a warm symbol of friendship and cooperation.

Sarah, Director of Program Operations, Japan

Sarah combines traditions in Japan! She hosted friends to help with pre-holiday baking; chocolate chip and snickerdoodles are her go to cookies. Sarah says the traditional Japanese Christmas dinner is KFC and fancy cake. She and her family had both while celebrating with a group of international friends.

Luis, Program Director, Peru

During the holiday season in Peru it’s common to see displays of the nativity scene both outside people’s homes and in city parks and squares. Luis & Pepe recently checked out a large nativity display in the San Borja district of Lima. Luis also likes to check out and do some holiday shopping at various fairs that are held around the city.

Maddie, Program Operations Manager, Michigan

Maddie bundles up in Michigan to take annual hayrides with her family at her dad’s cottage. These family hayrides include hot chocolate and cookies afterwards! As snowy Christmases are common in the state, Maddie says she and her family don’t mind the cold and actually really enjoy spending time outside doing as many winter outdoor activities as possible.

Kylie, Marketing & Comms Manager,
new Mexico

In southern New Mexico, Kylie & Buzz take a stroll around the Village of Mesilla’s plaza to see it's holiday displays. The historic village, once home to Billy the Kid, now hosts many seasonal fairs where traditional New Mexican holiday foods can be bought including Bizcochito cookies as well as savory and dessert tamales. While strolling the plaza, Kylie stopped in at one of the shops to purchase a red chile ornament- a common decoration found on many New Mexican’s Christmas trees!

Guide, Executive Assistant,
Philippines

Guide poses with a parol- a typical decoration seen around the Philippines during the Christmas season. Parol’s are star shaped ornaments that symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Parols are hung outside or from windows. Guide shares that parols are traditionally used to light the way to church during the Christmas season for early dawn masses, also called “Simbamg Gabi”. The decoration is also used for the “Misa de Gallo”, the midnight mass on Christmas Eve.