Sunday, March 31th, 2013

Santa Barbara Schools - Trip Reflections

Laura: We can't believe our Vietnam journey is on its last leg. It feels like months ago that we first arrived in Saigon, but also weirdly seems like it was just yesterday. We had an awesome trip and learned so much as individuals and as a group. This country has such a rich culture and history that is very interesting… [Read Full Article]

Tuesday, June 05th, 2012

Tuesday Travel Tip: Ethical Travel Photography

Student traveler in VietnamI'd been living abroad in Vietnam for three months and was having one of those days were the cacophony of a foreign culture was starting to grate on me. I had reached that point of romanticized nostalgia for the states that my very gut throbbed for home. I was whining to my friend over Skype about my… [Read Full Article]

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Tuesday Travel Tip: Bargaining 101

Souvenir shopping goes hand-in-hand with travel, but when your adventuring through South America, Asia or Africa this process becomes a little more complicated than swiping your credit card. Haggling, even over small items, is not only expected, but also plays a big part in the cultures and everyday life of most of the world’s countries. Unless you plan on systematically… [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]

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]