There are so many benefits to spending vacation time in big cities, from the cultural exhibitions and top restaurants, to shopping up a storm and eyeing off amazing architecture. However, sometimes vacations in busy destinations can lead travelers to feeling like they really need some fresh air and strenuous exercise to counter-balance the chaos. 

Danielle Corcione graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey in May 2015. She studied abroad in Bangalore, India and Prague, Czech Republic. Now, she is located in Omaha, Nebraska.

What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?

As a child of the 80s, I hum Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Duran Duran songs while I’m cooking, can instantly remember the smell of the ditto machine, pegged my jeans, wore Out of Africa-inspired outfits, devoured John Hughes movies, and couldn’t wait to get Back to the Future.

Let’s be honest – a book with the title How to Live an Awesome Life is a no-brainer, as who doesn’t want an awesome life? But let’s delve a bit deeper, and see why you need this book, and what author Polly Campbell means by living an awesome life.

Emeka Ukaga is a junior dual-degree student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota, but also has close ties with Nigeria because his parents are from there; Emeka’s a dual-citizen. He has a strong passion for global studies, and because of that is also pursuing a minor in French and certificates in International Engineering, Western European Studies, African Studies, and Global Studies.

Florida Culture for the Week of December 7, 2015 by Josh Garrick

TONIGHT -- Dec 7 at 7 pm – The Orlando Philharmonic presents Bach’s Brilliance 
In an All-Bach program that literally bursts with brilliance, the talent of the Philharmonic’s new Maestro Eric Jacobsen will join with the Orchestra’s beloved Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois as she takes on Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 2. This concert will be performed at The Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED  Call 407.770.0071 or visit Orlandophil.org 

Renee Corbett is a “super” senior pursuing a Civil and Environmental Engineering major and a Communication certificate. Throughout the course of her time at Pitt, she has had numerous opportunities to travel abroad. She traveled to Haiti for 3 one-week sustainable development trips and she traveled to Trujillo, Peru for 6 weeks to construct sustainable VIP (ventilation improved pit) latrines.