Mind Soup

Every time we travel, we bring something home with us. Sometimes it is a photograph. Sometimes it is a memory. Sometimes it is a new perspective that quietly changes the way we see the world. But what if the things we bring home could carry a deeper meaning? What if a simple bag, a handmade piece of paper, or a cup of coffee could tell the story of a person, a community, and a tradition that has survived for generations? In March 2025, I had the opportunity to accompany a group of students and faculty members from Illinois State University on a learning journey to Nepal focused on fair trade, human rights, and ethical production. Having worked in international programs for several years, I have seen many different forms of global engagement. But this experience offered a unique perspective: looking beyond the beauty of a destination and understanding the people, skills, and communities behind the products we often take for granted. Nepal is a country known for its breathtaking landscap...

With over 100 flights in the past two years, I have become a master of planning my own trips and booking them online. Many people would opt to pay a travel agent to plan all their trips and vacations, but there are several reasons why it might be better to plan and book them themselves. Most big agencies won't customize the trips for you especially when they have group offers, and this for me is the number one reason why I plan everything myself. I customize everything to my liking in the interest of not wasting time on things that I have no interest in seeing or doing. Additionally, I like to book the flights that best suit my time and the hotels that fit my budget and my preferred locations within a city without the added fees and commission of the agent. Another reason is that it gets you more involved; you would learn about the destination that you are going to beforehand so you know what to expect. You can read reviews and avoid tourist traps that agents usually get commi...