Italy: Pasta Types from A to Z

Kate Rustad

Though there are competing stories about how and when it came about in the country, it is safe to say that Italy has been perfecting pasta for centuries. A multitude of pasta types exist today, as pasta can be curly or straight, long or short, thin or wide, and more. The shape and style of pasta is rooted in the region where it originates, making it an irreplaceable ingredient in Italian culture.

South Korea’s Pungsu Jiri

Colleen Brown

Developed in the 9th century by a Buddhist monk named Master Doseon, Pungsu jiri is the ancient Korean practice of arranging buildings at auspicious locations. Similar to the Daoist concept of feng shui, this tradition of geomancy focuses on topography and translates to “the study of the earthly patterns of wind and water.” 

Sashiko: A Sewing Technique

Kate Rustad

As we look towards creating a more sustainable, environmentally friendly future, industries like fast fashion prove to be large obstacles along the way. Fast fashion is the mass production of quickly and cheaply made clothing. Most clothing waste goes into landfills or is incinerated, and because much of the fabric is made with synthetic fibers, it does not break down on its own. One way to combat this needless pollution is mending old clothing instead of tossing or donating it after seeing a hole or a tear.

The Only Jewish Museum in the Arab World

Kate Rustad
Casablanca is home to the only Jewish history museum in the Arab world – the Morocco Jewish Museum. Half a century ago, more than a quarter of a million Jews lived in Morocco, but only a handful remain today.

Unique Traditions During Ukrainian Holidays

Colleen Brown
Ukraine is a primarily Christian country, with over 67% of the population identifying with the Orthodox church. Many of Ukraine’s holiday celebrations tie into their beliefs; however, some predate the introduction of Christianity and link to ancient times.

Brazilian Footvolley

Colleen Brown

A Brazilian man, Octavio de Moraes, developed footvolley on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach in 1965. Footvolley combines the technical skills of soccer and volleyball—both of which beachgoers commonly play at Copacabana. The sport provides an affordable, accessible outlet for athletes.

Nine Widely Spoken Languages Across China

Natalie Halpern
While Mandarin became China’s only official language in 1956, there are nearly 300 languages spoken throughout the Asian nation. Of those nine are widely spoken by millions of people, including several minority ethnic groups.

The Art and Culture of Morocco's Berber People

Colleen Brown
The Berber people who live throughout North Africa are linked by their art, culture, and language. Although there are significant populations of Berbers in Albania, Tunisia, Libya, Mali, and Niger, more than 80% of the Moroccan population identifies as Berber.