We didn’t know exactly what to expect when we walked into our favourite place, Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University. We talked about all of the possibilities while walking in, but knew it would be centered around getting us into the holiday spirit, hence the name: Cirque Dreams Holidaze.

So much of a student’s education takes place in a classroom, reading textbooks, or in front of a computer, but there are so many more ways to learn. Traveling gives students a powerful avenue for experiencing the world and applying their lessons to real-life scenarios.

The world of travel has become increasingly competitive with a number of talented creatives all waiting for the opportunity to shine in safari photography. Nevertheless, there is so much room for skilled and professional photographers as the demand for quality content is still high. This is especially buoyed by social media and online publishing which have soaked up the demand for compelling visual content. Outlined below are steps to help you jumpstart your career as a travel photographer. 

Travel is invaluable for young minds which are still in the developmental stages of life. For example, children who travel are exposed to various cultures and ways of life, thus, broadening their mental horizons as well as their tolerance and acceptance of people coming from many different walks of life. A child who has experienced other lifestyles tends to be more open to different lifestyles, cultures, and worldviews. 

My name is Lea, and I was a foreign exchange student in high school at the age of 16. I was born in Central Europe, where I have spent the majority of my life. I have a blog, where I talk about many things, but also about student life and my exchange year. In case you would like to know more about my experience, besides this interview, you can find some of my posts on this topic on StudyHealthy.org

Note: This interview is part of a series from Learning Service.

Emily is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience volunteering abroad. She believes that travel can change the world for the better—if we do it right—and she's passionate about helping people find ways to give back to the communities they visit.

For people suffering from mental or emotional disabilities or illness, an emotional support animal (ESA) can provide support, comfort and unconditional love. Approximately 25% of Americans suffer from some form of mental or emotional malady. Many studies have shown that the companionship of a dog or cat can be of great therapeutic benefit.