To close out the 2008 spring semester I thought I’d give you something to look forward to: spring semester 2009.

Whenever I tell people that I’m a cultural mix, they look at my whiter-than-white skin, blond hair and blue eyes and shoot me a look that seems to either be searching for signs of ethnic diversity or laughing hysterically on the inside.

Having just returned from the land of camels, pyramids and sand, I’m bursting with fun facts, stories and some opinions to share from Egypt.

To slam the door in the face of millions of hopeful global citizens is to slam the door on the very history that has made.

By now it’s fairly obvious that whoever the Democratic Party’s nominee will be (O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma), they will be competing against Republican John McCain, Crackpot Conservative.

There are many reasons why the current administration is considered a mistake, an ongoing humiliation and a failure: No Child Left Behind, economic recession, made-up words during important speeches – I could go on.

But for me, one of the biggest ways the current administration has failed this country is through a complete retardation of our approach to global affairs. The following is a short list of the top five reasons why our “esteemed” President George W. Bush is a foreign policy disaster …

After seven years of watching Americans lose face in the world as a result of appalling foreign policy decisions, I’m more than ready to hear what these presidential-hopefuls plan to do.

As an international affairs major, future Peace Corps volunteer and all around travel addict, it’s hardly surprising that what interests me most about the recent caucus and impending 2008 national election is how the candidates address their hopes for America’s international goals. After seven years of watching Americans lose face in the world as a result of appalling foreign policy decisions, I’m more than ready to hear what these presidential-hopefuls plan to do.

As you were stuffing your face full of turkey two weeks ago, writing your sixth five-page essay and worrying about finals week, you were also probably unaware of the zestiest new restaurant in town: Zagol. By “zestiest,” I mean an eating sanctuary of epic proportions where the ambience zings with color and life, the waiters zoom to your assistance and the spices zap you right in the taste buds. What more could you expect from Reno’s first authentic Ethiopian food restaurant?

Travel to far-away places is a fantastic way to literally and figuratively broaden your horizons as a student.
As an American student, however, there are a few countries that may not be so warm and welcome. Besides the obviously war-torn countries of the Middle East and the genocidal unstable African countries of Sudan and Somalia, there are a few other nations not worth visiting.

As temperatures take a downward turn and professors respond with extreme essay assignments and terrifying tests, it’s always helpful to look ahead to summer or, if that’s still too much in the distant future, think of far away places you could escape to instead. Sure, Reno doesn’t have any exotic beaches or palm trees to speak of, but, if you use a little bit of wishful thinking, something as simple as going out for lunch can result in a (culinary) trip ‘round the world.

I’m sure as you read this paper filled with manly sports news, hilarious bar stories, and racy dating advice, the inclination is hardly toward anything of an academic nature. But fear not!
I’m not about to lecture you on the state of your GPA, your 5th-year “extended stay” in the undergrad experience, or how many classes you’ve managed to avoid so far this semester - I’ll leave that to your mom.

If you’re like me, you’ve been prevented from making the University Study Abroad Consortium programs a part of your academic resume by asking yourself a never-ending cycle of worried questions: What if I can’t adapt to a new culture or language and become isolated?