Rachel Bukowitz is a sociology and environmental studies major at the University of Pittsburgh. She interned at the Israeli Wildlife Hospital during the summer of 2014 where her responsibilities focused on caring for sick and injured animals [primarily young ones in the nursery] and then releasing the animals back into the wild.

Every so often, a book comes along that beautifully, powerfully reminds you of humanity. One such book is the first in a series (YAY!), entitled Untamed. Written by Madeline Dyer, this YA novel takes a look at a world that is changed - and who the changemakers are. From the start of Untamed, you're pulled into the arc of the story, as if one of the family. Then (and make note of this, so you plan for it) you won't be able to put the book down. Meals? Who needs them! Sleep? Ditto!

I grew up near Paw Paw, Michigan, and yet never thought of it as a place for the so-named fruit. All that has changed now, with Sara Bir's genius new guide, The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook. Bir knows her stuff - she's a food writer and researcher extraordinaire, and she brings those talents to this recipe zine.

Traveling internationally since the age of six, Karyn Planett designed her studies and career to continue on the journey. After three years at Long Beach State College, she sailed aboard Chapman University's Semester-At-Sea ship for two semesters (8 months) completing her first of many trips around the world. Karyn also attended the International College of Copenhagen for their summer student exchange program to the former USSR and 5 other Eastern Block countries, going behind the "Iron Curtain" as an American in 1969.

From Rio to Milan, Nicolas Perin Peres has followed his dreams. A student of Bocconi University, he's currently studying at SMU in Dallas, Texas. You can find him online at https://pagesofajourney.wordpress.com/

The Texas Travel Industry Association, an Austin-based nonprofit organization, is holding its 30th annual summit at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in downtown San Antonio this week. Dozens of TTIA members from across the Lone Star State are expected to attend. 

These are not the state of Texas travel marketers who gave us the slogan, “TEXAS It’s Like a Whole Other Country,” or “Remember the Alamo.” TTIA members are employed by or own a travel-related business in Texas.

The thirty-nine ESL students, dark eyed and dark complexioned, each took their turn telling me their name and their country of origin. Mexico. El Salvador. Honduras. Cuba. Peru. Colombia. Ecuador. Lebanon. India. China. Korea.

It is with great, great pleasure that I share with you a remarkable story and video. It comes from Alex Berger, a friend and fellow international educator, who runs a fantastic site called Virtual Wayfarer (here's our interview with him!).

Michelle Belair is a wanderer, social worker, and writer who aims to share the beauty of the world - the nature that creates it and the individuals that inhabit it. With an interest in travel, self-development, and vegan living, she believes that the best way to live is by fueling your heart and energy with all the things that bring you joy and passion. To read more from Michelle, follow her at www.whirlwind-travel.com. She studied abroad in Barbados.