Jeff first traveled to Russia in 2010 with a fellow Saint Martin's professor and a group of students before returning in 2013 as a Fulbright Scholar. He lived and taught at Petrozavodsk State University (an overnight train ride northeast from St. Petersburg). He met no politicians on his travels (well, a couple of mayors), but > Continue Reading

John Hammer, a 2016 Charles Wright Academy alumni from Tacoma, has taken a gap year with Thinking Beyond Borders to study international development in Ghana (public health), Thailand (sustainable agriculture) and Ecuador (education). He has much to share through what he has learned through his homestays, academic studies, and other educational experiences while abroad.

Deborah Hammond and Florence Sandler traveled to Iran in 2016: Deborah traveled with a group of Peace Corps alumni, and Florence Sandler, road scholar. The focus of both trips was art, architecture, culture, and history. The guest speakers will talk about the beauty and legacy of Iran’s fascinating culture. Deborah and Florence will also share > Continue Reading

Sometimes people want to travel beyond lounging on a sunny beach, eating authentic cultural cuisine or buying a local crafts. They want to experience something more valuable that creates positive connections and empowers locals. Frank and Kathy Erickson and Bruce and Paula Foreman will share their experiences with "Travel With Purpose" through several organizations to > Continue Reading

In August of 2013, Jon left Tacoma to embark on a 2-year overseas journey for an Erasmus+ Joint Master Degree in higher education research and innovation studies (MARIHE). With the first semester at Danube University Krems, Austria, his explorations took him to the University of Tampere, Finland; Beijing Normal University, China; and University of Applied > Continue Reading

Brian Birkenstein has now worked for close to twenty years in over twenty countries in a variety of roles. In his personal travels, he has been to all fifty states, sixty-three countries and all seven continents. It’s a big world though, and he has a lot more to see and do. He has written a > Continue Reading

Dr. Peter Selkin spent two months at sea in 2015 with a team of 30 researchers from many countries. Besides discussing why one would want to spend sixty days away from land with a bunch of scientists, Dr. Selkin will also describe a little of the history of international partnerships in deep-sea research since the > Continue Reading

Brian Birkenstein has now worked for close to twenty years in over twenty countries in a variety of roles. In his personal travels, he has been to all fifty states, sixty-three countries and all seven continents. It’s a big world though, and he has a lot more to see and do. He has written a > Continue Reading