Originally published on BootsnAll@Bootsnall In my life, I have been blessed to be able to study abroad, work abroad and to travel extensively overseas. I’ve been a TEFL instructor, a tour guide and a study abroad director. I have experienced the ins and outs of the food and beverage industry on several continents. I’ve backpacked…
Author: Michael Avila
Opinions: Do We Always Need Them?
Originally published in Northern Slant 7th October 2018 @NorthernSlant There’s a saying that opinions “are like a**holes – everyone’s got one and they all stink.” While I do not wholeheartedly believe this, it certainly holds some truth, in my opinion (yes, I see the irony here). What I want to ponder here is, why is it…
Rekindling the Ulster-American Connection
Originally Published in Northern Slant 3rd August 2018 @NorthernSlant Many have documented the influence of the Scots-Irish (Ulster-Scots) throughout the history of the United States. What comes as a surprise to me, as an American, is just how under-utilised this cultural connection is in Ulster. Sure, we all are familiar with the Kennedys, Tipp O’Neill and the overall influence Ireland…
Anthony Bourdain, The Benevolent Traveller
Originally posted in the Belfast News Letter@News_Letter “If I am an advocate for anything, it is to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody” — Anthony Bourdain More than any person who I…
The Caleb Foundation could do much worse than have Wallace Thompson at the helm
Originally published in the Belfast Telegraph @Beltel In 2012, the Belfast Telegraph’s late political editor, Liam Clarke, described the controversial Christian lobby group as ‘the rock on which the DUP was built’. Here, California postgraduate student Michael Avila brings the story up to date It has been six years since the late Liam Clarke published…