Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the month of the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to sunset during this month in adherence to one of the Five Pillars of Islam (sawm). Ramadan officially begins after the visual confirmation of the crescent …
Holy Week is a time when Christians around the world celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. Palm Sunday is often celebrated with a parade and procession of palm fronds that symbolize those laid at …
On March 8, 2019, we reflect on the progress that women have made in society, in schools, and in the workforce and the progress that still needs to be made to ensure an equal society for women around the world. The theme of International Women’s Day this year is #BalanceforBetter, aiming for gender equality in …
Springtime is swiftly approaching and the Lunar New Year has arrived! Chinese New Year follows the Lunar calendar. This means that while the exact date changes every year, the New Year day typically falls between mid-January and mid-February. This year Chinese New Year, celebrating the year of the Earth Pig, falls on February 5th and …
Each passing year brings its share of experiences, growth, and change. One constant in our lives remains: the holidays we celebrate and the traditions that surround them. Our holidays affect us in a personal way, linking us to family and close friends. Passing seasons evoke memories and instill in us an appreciation for our culture and a desire …
By: Ivonne Juraidini Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the lives of deceased loved ones. It is a tradition that originated from indigenous rituals and eventually blended with Catholic elements as a result of Spanish influence. The holiday takes place over two days: November 1st and …
Art is a powerful thing. From the moment that humankind could, we started thinking creatively. Explaining and depicting the world around us. From the earliest cave drawings in South Africa which date back 164 thousand years to the well-known cave paintings in Europe that date 40 thousand years, humans have always been moved to art. …
Eating, scarfing, imbibing, dining, and sating are just a few words we use to describe the act of placing food into our mouths. Conceivably it is the most significant commonality that humanity shares. Whatever shape, form, flavor, or seasoning food may take around the world, people eat. More than that, across the world people, …
Memorial Day is a federally recognized holiday in the U.S. that honors the valiant men and women who died in service to the United States of America. It is a day on which as a nation, the US stops to recognize those brave men and women who have lost their lives in service to their …
Every year nearly 1.8 billion Muslims around the world partake in a month-long period of fasting during Ramadan. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is important to note that not all Muslim countries or communities mark the start of Ramadan …
This upcoming weekend marks the arrival of Western Easter, followed by the observance of Orthodox Easter or Pascha. For Christians around the world, either of Eastern, Western, or Protestant, faith these observances are for many the most significant and holiest celebrations of the year. Hundreds of millions celebrate with family and dear friends alike. Religious …
Spring is a season many of us look forward to every year. It is a time of year where flowers bloom, trees wake up, and the temperatures rise again! It also includes Daylight Savings Time, and 2018 marks its 100th anniversary. This year it begins on Sunday, March 11, at 2:00 a.m. While not every …
It is that time of year again; Lunar New Year is upon us. 2018 is the Year of the Dog, which is part of the 12-year animal zodiac cycle. For more information, read here. More than one billion people around the world are preparing to celebrate. Although Lunar New Year has its roots in the ancient …
The world is more interconnected and global than we could ever imagine. From a meat processing plant manager in Kansas working with Somali and Salvadoran factory workers to a high-flying executive leading a cross-cultural team in Hong Kong, London, and Seattle: global is the new local. Furthermore, technological advances allow for teams to work virtually …
Puerto Rico: A Brief Profile Fast Facts Capital: San Juan Population: 3.4 million Currency: US Dollar Languages: Spanish and English Citizenship: USA Geography: Puerto Rico is an archipelago or island chain located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Virgin Islands and east of the Dominican Republic. Landfall Hurricane Maria …
We often think of a country’s border as a defined albeit arbitrary demarcation of culture, language, traditions, mores, and values. A germane question to ask, considering the recent unrest in Catalonia surrounding an independence referendum from Spain is: what exactly is national identity? How do we define and understand it? What are the parameters and …
In our increasingly globalized world, international businesses seek to fill their organizational needs by strategically shifting corporate talent from one place to another. However, a substantial percentage of international assignees fail to meet their company’s objectives. The high cost of relocating talent – and the high expectations resting on the shoulders of these talented women …
Yerba mate tea is much more than the latest craze touted by health aficionados, which there are many. Conveniently packaged in tea bags, cans, and bottles, and now commonly sold in a variety of shops, mate has hit the mainstream. Nevertheless, what exactly is yerba mate? Moreover, what cultural meaning does it have? Like coffee …
We do it all the time; we meet new people at work, school, conferences, social mixers, and beyond. We offer our hands, close our grip briefly, and then let go. For many of us, handshakes are the only way we know to greet someone. It is taught and reinforced time and again. Handshakes, therefore, are …
Labor Day signifies various things for many in the United States of America: a long holiday weekend, a barbeque by the pool, the unofficial end of summer, the start of a new school year, and discounts at our favorite stores. Nevertheless, Labor Day honors the American Labor Movement. A movement filled with complex and unique struggles …
