Any individual's perception of reality is inextricably linked with his perception of geography: The more comprehensive a picture someone has of the world, the wider his perception of what is "possible" becomes.

Recently I began to study in Israel's famed Ulpan Hebrew immersion classes. There are those who say that Hebrew isn't that difficult to learn but they are liars.

Spending a semester abroad did satisfy a few of her Parisian daydreams, but there were moments that were lonely and sobering. Still, her life-changing adventure only further fueled her wanderlust. Rhonda shared her American in Paris story with me.

If you wander down the right back alley, you can still find the surviving remnants of a functioning Italian city -- a playground, a tailor, a basketball court, an upholsterer, a yoga class, a pet shop, a funeral parlor.

Though the swing state's worth of the American electorate that lives or are currently traveling overseas could conceivably change the outcome of today...

Moving abroad. It sounded so E.M. Forster, so glamorous. Then I moved to the Middle East.

No matter how far away they are from the US, these people enjoy sharing in the spirit of celebrations, combing customs and building communities in their new homes.

All of the quirky rules and formalities here give a sense that people are doing the same things -- in the same places -- that they have been done for centuries. This is precisely what I find so fascinating about this country.

Nice is chalk full of restaurants, I can see about 50 from my balcony, but it's not all that easy to navigate which ones are genuinely good and it can be equally difficult to figure out when they might actually be open.

There is a false security that comes with being spoken to in the very slow, very clear, perfectly-formed French spoken only by French teachers.

Chuck was delighted with French food -- rabbit-flavored Friskies to be exact -- and he cheerfully rode the bus in a cat carrier that allowed curious passengers a full view of his impressive mane.

It was clear that our presence was beyond an inconvenience to them. My lack of French, from the looks on their faces, was an offense punishable by death.

I wanted a place I could afford to live and write, a place with café life and an international community. I figured I needed at least one friend to get started. The friend invited me to Budapest, and I came.