Author: Erin Fitzgerald

Some of the most dramatic changes in recent history have been in how we develop, seek, obtain, and disseminate information. Libraries, sometimes originally established as repositories for physical books, have evolved to keep pace with today’s needs. The advent of ebooks and other digitalizations has opened many offerings to library users. Services such as Overdrive, […] Continue reading… from Public libraries: local, global, and everything in between

In an era where new smartphone travel apps are released daily, sometimes the best usefulness indicator is how often one uses an app over time. Here are three apps I downloaded six months ago that have remained on my smartphone’s front screen: Transit    Transit offers one of the most comprehensive ways to decide on […] Continue reading… from Apps with lasting power!

This year, locations all over the Northern Hemisphere have experienced dramatic winter weather. High snowfall, strong winds, and dramatic shifts in temperature over short periods of time have made winter unusually challenging for people in many locales. Here are some tips for weathering wild winters: 1. Take time to assess agility. Just as it is […] Continue reading… from Tips for Dramatic Winter Weather Challenges

Online help isn’t just for text files or chatbots anymore! Do you ever start everyday questions with: “Hey, Siri…” “Cortana…” “Alexa…” “OK, Google…” If so, you’re far from alone. Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana, Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant are the world’s most popular virtual assistants. With current versions born in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016 […] Continue reading… from Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana….and You

For many, a new year means a new calendar — and a few minutes of writing (or tapping!) important dates into it. But simply copying from last year’s calendar may not give you everything you should note in this year’s, especially if you are globally mobile.  Do you need to also add these to your 2019 calendar? Club […] Continue reading… from Twenty you may have missed!

What practice has the European Commission proposed an end to in 2019? A. Tipping in restaurants B. Seasonal clock changes C. Highway speed limits D. Cellphone use in airports   Click here for the answer! […] Continue reading… from What practice may end in 2019?

In a world where so much of our communication relies on reading and writing, learning how to pronounce words that are new to you can easily slip through the cracks…and then, often suddenly, you need them. You might see the word Skadarlija many times in emails and Serbia guides, but what will you do — […] Continue reading… from See It, See It, See It….Now, Say It!

Approximately 12 percent of the world’s overall population (and 17 percent of Living Abroad’s staff, myself included) is left-handed. While history has sometimes treated us with suspicion, more recent research has unearthed that the left-handedness is associated with many positive traits, such as athleticism, creativity and leadership. However, we left-handed sometimes think those traits are developed […] Continue reading… from Left-handed, right-minded

Amtrak provides passenger rail service to hundreds of destinations in the United States. What is the largest U.S. city that does not have direct Amtrak service? A.         Bismarck, North Dakota B.         Columbus, Ohio C.         Mesa, Arizona D.         Sacramento, California E.         Salt Lake City, Utah F.         Tucson, Arizona Bonus question: What do […] Continue reading… from Interested in traveling by train?