Growing up, I was the one who only wanted to set foot in those coastal states. If it didn’t have water on at least one side, I didn’t see the benefit…wow, was I wrong!

Ask any visitor why they chose to vacation in San Antonio and they’ll likely say: the Alamo, the beautiful River Walk, or to savor Mexican-style food while listening to a roving Mariachi band.

I first noticed the incredibly beautiful art of my friend Yuliya Talinovsky on my facebook feed, as she was in Newfoundland for a bit with her family, and I LOVE those row houses in St. John's. It's amazing how once something is on your radar, how you keep seeing it. Her paintings kept popping up, and I kept being so very happy to see them. Guess what? Her kids are also extremely talented - I'm so happy that this love of art and painting is growing in this world.

 Cayenne Pepper. Not even hot.
 
Habaneros. They tickle. A little.  
 
But Bhut Jolokia. That’s where the real heat is. Chile heat!
 
Also called red naga, naga jolokia, and bih jolokia. But this hybrid chile from India is one of the hottest around. No wonder it’s garnered the name most know it as … Ghost chiles.
 

Aoife Scott's debut album, Carry the Day, shows a songwriter and singer with a voice of distinctive character, an ear for good story, and the ability to bring these together in ways that draw the listener in, and invite repeated listenings.

I recently wrote about getting to London, but something I didn’t include was the flight itself. Before you can start your study abroad adventure, you have to get there first. Spending 7+ hours on a plane isn’t something many people do often, so being prepared can help you get a great start before even landing! I included things I learned from my flying experience and things I would have done differently.

For my fortieth birthday, I was in search of a new experience. After years of teaching and having a birthday around the first day of school, this new phase of my life allowed for an opportunity for a whole different approach to the first week of September. That type of curiosity, interest in seeking anew, desire to change things up, and thoughtful search for adventure are all things I always wished for my students.

My very first overseas assignment working in Study Abroad was a summer London program. Can I tell you, it was one of the best summers of my life? I loved the students, I love London. You can’t go wrong.

An artist of an inspirational talent, Luba Kostenko was branded an art prodigy whilst still attending Secondary School of Art in Leningrad, Russia. She entered the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts in Leningrad in 1965 where she was taught by the distinguished professors E. E. Moiseyenko, I. P. Veselkin, P. T. Fomin, D. A. Shuvalov, and A. A. Mylnikov. 

My face must have shown my confusion when my new neighbor in suburban Detroit gave me a cooking mitt. I was grateful, of course, but a bit bewildered at what seemed like an unusual housewarming gift.
 
“It’s Michigan,” she smiled. “We’re the glove state.” Enthusiastically, she held her hand up to show that the state of Michigan has an uncanny resemblance to a gloved hand. Then she put up her other hand. “And this is the UP. You know, the Upper Peninsula. Up north?”
 
I didn’t know.