Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Looking at "Laos Scarred by Secret War"

Just a few weeks ago a group of our students returned from Laos, where they experienced first hand the ravages of the "Secret War," played out by the CIA during the 1960s and 70s. While the press covered the horors of what was occurring in Vietnam, the millions of tonnes of cluster bombs concurrently dropped on Laos went largely unrecorded. When American… [Read Full Article]

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Tuesday Travel Tip: Flying Affordably

With summer approaching and gas prices rising, many fear cheap airfare will be a thing of the past. But with a few tricks of the trade, finding affordable flights is still possible. In his article “8 Insider Secrets to Booking Cheap Airfare,” US News reporter, Daniel Bortz gives readers the scoop on how to snag the best deals.  So to… [Read Full Article]

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Spring Brings Democratic Reforms to Myanmar

Myanmar (also known as Burma) is a country long marred by the corrupt oppression of a military government and after its disputed “democratic” elections in 2010, neither its people nor the global community expected much to change. In 2010, international monitors were banned from the country, and Noble Peace Laureate, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as her party—the… [Read Full Article]

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Luang Brabang: Reflections on a Journey through Laos

Laguna Blanca School in Laos Founder and head of PWT, Alethea Tyner Paradis, muses on the end of a journey through living history and the hope for future peace and healing. Breezy riverside Luang Prabang is a refreshing cleanse for our war-conscious-weary souls. The heart of downtown is cradled by the lazy S-curves of the Mekong River, bamboo bridges and boats… [Read Full Article]

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

Tuesday Travel Tip: Avoiding Culture Shock

Dog, sold at the market in Hanoi, VietnamCulture Shock is an affliction that affects all travelers to varying degrees; it is a form of anxiety that occurs when we lose the familiar social cues and norms with which we daily orient ourselves. Dr. Lalero Oberg, cultural anthropologist, explains: “These cues, which may be words, gestures, facial expressions, customs, or norms… [Read Full Article]