A Chai Embrace

After coming in from the snow on a gloomy winter day, there is nothing better than getting cozy under a warm blanket with a hot beverage, the steam warming your face and the mug, your hands. There are a variety of hot beverages to choose from; hot cocoa, coffee, tea. Being married to an Indian man, our hot drink of choice is chai, which translates to ‘tea’ in Hindi, derived from the Mandarin word for

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Reflections on a Global Neighborhood

We live in a world that is continuously getting more and more connected, we are no longer confined to our own local community; our communities now transcend geographical boundaries. There is a global economy and culture, a global neighborhood. Events in one part of the world can have ripple effects across continents, emphasizing the interconnected nature of environmental, economic, political, and social systems. As a result, our actions and decisions have repercussions that go beyond

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2 years of walking with Profugo

Two years ago, I stumbled out of the Bangalore airport in the middle of the night.  Gilgy, my colleague and someone I now consider my brother, met me and we drove the ten hours back to Prasanthagiri village.  Upon arrival, we scaled the steep hill to my new home.  Gilgy trekked up with ease, even whilst holding my 50 pound suitcase on his head.  I, in my white sneakers, immediately slipped on the rocks and

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A Look into the Mental Health Effects of the Pandemic

It is without a doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every individual in the world in some way; the loss of loved ones, having to learn and work remotely, and not being able to family or friends, just to name a few. These repercussions of the contagious virus have turned many lives upside down. No one could have prepared for suddenly being quarantined and restricted indefinitely from seeing the people they love. No

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The International Effort to Share Vaccines

Vaccines are becoming easier and easier to find in the United States, but there is a widening disparity of vaccinated citizens between the developed and developing world. While close to 50% of the United State’s population is vaccinated, some countries are hovering around 1% vaccinated with little to no increases in daily doses. The West has greater access to the procedures, funds, and means of production to provide their populations with the ability to get

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