I love the idea of people crossing borders, in real time and also through relationship. As a child I was inspired by my grandmother who had travelled the world and lived in Africa for several years. During college, a summer backpacking and studying in Europe opened my eyes to a world that contrasted with my midwest American childhood. While working as a journalist after college, I interviewed a couple going into the Peace Corps and came home and announced to my husband that I wanted to do the same. We sent in our own application a few weeks later. That led to two wonderful years in a Fijian village, followed by months of travel through Asia and New Zealand. Settling down to raise children and take on various parttime jobs across the years in writing, research, editing, bookkeeping and volunteering, I worked hard to get our family out the door at every opportunity, to foster their love of learning other languages and other cultures. Each of our three children, now college age, have travelled, studied and volunteered overseas. The five of us have so many similar interests, it is a joy to have them educate us from their youthful points of view. I appreciate connection at all levels.