In high school, my literature teacher used to underline the importance of reading, a lot. Then, I thought to myself: “I’d love to but there’s so much one can read and I don’t know where to start.”

At first, I was overwhelmed by how much literature could offer: so many universes, characters, ideas and themes. I would go to a bookshop and just stare at books instead of dedicating myself to finally read one. I thought one needed to dedicate a whole day just to find what to read. …

In university, my Literature teacher used to say: this is the time for you to finally start learning how to read. No one has really taught you how to do it until now: let’s do this! Then, I thought to myself: have I been doing it wrong for all these years? Is there a proper way to read? What does this mean?

At first, I was puzzled by this paradoxical affirmation. Isn’t it just about that: reading? Discovering new universes, new characters and reflecting upon new ideas about the world around us. …

Imagine being told you only have a few years left to live at age 21 because of motor neurone disease but defying the odds and continuing to live for 55 more years. That’s Stephen Hawking, the world-renowned scientist who helped further our understanding of the universe.

Beyond his remarkable work as a theoretical physicist, Hawking also delivered many valuable life lessons in his interviews. With wit and optimism, his words challenge our perception of our actions and teach us how to think bigger.

Stephen Hawking’s life is truly inspiring. …

When hearing about sushi, you’ll probably think about salmon sushi. Every Japanese restaurant serves it and it was a crucial factor in the success of Japanese gastronomy in the United States.

But did you know the idea for salmon sushi did not originate in Japan?

As a matter of fact, raw salmon did not enter the country’s market until 1995 and, before that, the fish was always served cooked. Today, it’s one of the most popular dishes in Japanese cuisine. How did that happen?

Here’s how Norway convinced Japan that sushi was made with salmon.

In the 1970s, Norway started…

In High-school, my Spanish teacher used to analyse the structural and grammatical differences between English and Spanish. We used to highlight how specific scenarios were portrayed in both languages to explain what made each one unique.

At first, I didn’t see a lot of correlation between effectively learning Spanish and comparing it to another language. I thought I only needed to remember sentence structures and prepositions to fully master the language. After all, my teacher did put a strong emphasis on vocabulary, grammar and syntax. But as we practised, one recurring pattern was still in the way.

Even if we…

When I first started learning Korean, I used to focus on how a language could be practical in everyday use. I studied because I thought it could be useful. Then, I thought I could use my skills to communicate and get by in many countries without really stopping to think about all of its implications. But as I started learning more languages, I realized there’s more to language learning than meets the eye.

At first, I was surprised: I had always heard about how impactful it could be when I listened to other people’s immersion trip stories, but I rather…

I remember it like it was yesterday. Here I was — 10 p.m. — laying on my bed, anxious and tired. Why am I always like this? Why am I sad for no reason?

I was worn out. Every time I did something, it felt like I was putting on a mask of fallacy, acting as if I was a sitcom character trying to bring laughter to my viewer. I was overthinking things and I felt unfulfilled, useless.

At first, I just wrote my feelings down. Even though it calmed me down, I didn’t think that was enough. …

Ever since I was a child, I’ve moved every four years. I’ve lived across countries and continents, met new people, and discovered new cultures.

Throughout my life, I’ve had the possibility of travelling the world and waking up under a different sky.

You’d expect me to only remember the stress of having to pack all of your belongings and go to an unknown place. But it has truly helped me grow as an individual and provided me with invaluable memories I’ll remember forever.

I’ve learned a lot of lessons from moving every four years. …