Our Blog

Read about what’s important from the perspective of our partners, including those at the Alhambra-U.S. Chamber. We strive to shine a light on meaningful, relevant, and inspiring topics across the world.

Mela Ottaiano Mela Ottaiano

Sustainable Travel: Be a Resilient Tourist

Traveling is one of the best ways to have fun and relax, all while learning about new cultures and broadening your perspective. Now more than ever, social media continues to play a big part in propagating inspirations for travel and sharing destinations ideas.

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Mela Ottaiano Mela Ottaiano

Considering a Job or Career Change?

Considering a job or career change? You are not alone. Career coach (and guest blogger) Bina Mathews offers some keen insights for how to go about making a change.

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Alhambra Chamber Alhambra Chamber

Welcoming Refugees to Austin, Texas

With ongoing unrest in Afghanistan and war in Ukraine, the world’s staggering number of refugees continues to rise. Over the last decade in particular, forced displacement has outpaced the available solutions. Austin, Texas, with its rapid growth, strong economy, and international character, is a promising destination for refugees. According to Refugee Services of Austin, the city is currently home to about 12,000 refugees. To be expected, that number is growing rapidly.

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Alhambra Chamber Alhambra Chamber

The Power of Pulses

Ancient human civilization, human health, and climate change are each uniquely linked to pulses, and for good reason. Discovered more than 11,000 years ago, pulses have stood the test of time and have helped shape history. They are a critical food source and have great potential to positively influence the future.

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Alhambra Chamber Alhambra Chamber

International Women’s Day and Its Impact

March is Women’s History month in the United States. This month celebrates the achievements of women throughout history and society. More specifically, on March 8, International Women’s Day is celebrated. On this day, we reflect on the contributions women have made throughout the world, and we bring to light issues women face globally. 

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Alhambra Chamber Alhambra Chamber

Spotlight on the 2022 Winter Olympics: Insights and Issues

The Winter Olympics occur once every four years, making it a special event for potential competitors, countries, and spectators. The snowy setting and 15 sports, such as skiing, skating, curling, and bobsledding, make it an even more special event. China is hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing from February 4–20. They will also host the Winter Paralympic Games from March 4–13. China joins Argentina, Canada, Croatia, Jamaica, Morocco, South Korea, and 96 more nations in the competition. 

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Alhambra Chamber Alhambra Chamber

How Braille Gives the Gift of Literacy

Many people have seen the raised little dots on signs or menus and know it is called braille. For most, this is the extent of their understanding of braille. But braille has offered literacy to millions of people around the world. Today, braille is used worldwide, and with the appropriate code, can transcribe any written language into a tactile version. It was created by a French teenager named Louis Braille. 

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Guest User Guest User

Getting to Your Goal

As the year 2021 comes to a close, new possibilities are ahead for everyone in 2022. The new year often brings New Year’s resolutions, which can be easy to come up with, but the follow-through can be a challenge. The topic of setting and planning a goal has something for everyone, whether you want to create a goal on January 1 or beyond.

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Modern Slavery and How to Stop the Cycle

Historical accounts of slavery demonstrate that certain people with adequate power will exploit whom they can. Modern slavery is no different, and the common misconception that slavery is a thing of the past empowers the wrong people.

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October Q&A Recap

October 27th, we were joined by Ben Hendricks in a Q&A session talking about his journey to become a Chief Marketing Director.  During the session, we asked him for any advice he might have for high school or college graduates who were considering a career in marketing, as well as any pitfalls new grads might want to avoid while searching for job positions.

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Mental Health Concerns in Our Schools

TW: This article refers to mental illnesses, suicide, bullying, and domestic abuse.

There are a lot of misconceptions about mental health, like the belief that mental illness isn’t serious or that people suffering from mental illness are weak-minded. In fact, mental health problems affect nearly 1 in 5 people in the U.S., including children and teens in school.

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September Workshop Recap

On September 6, 2021, Mojdeh Gharbi joined Global Impact Initiative for a workshop discussion about the value of passion in the work environment and the importance of open-mindedness when searching for job positions. Because in her words, “Career paths are zigzags.”

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Eating For a Better Brain

When you’re diving into work, whether it be professional or academic, it can be easy to not pay attention to what you’re eating. We often think that hours spent studying or buried in research are the only ways to improve our cognition and brainpower.

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July Professional Development Workshop Recap

On July 10th, we were joined by Mike Wikan who explained to us his “Journey as a Professional Game Developer.”  So far in his time as a game developer, Mike has worked on a number of well-known series such as the Metroid Prime trilogy Doom 2016, and has noted the kinds of changes he’s seen so far in his time in the game development industry.

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Tips for a Smooth Transition Back to School

This year’s back to school season is unlike any other. After a year of remote learning and Zoom classes, it’s finally time for many students and teachers to return to the classroom in person. For some, it will be their first time learning or teaching face to face.

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Ezra Einhorn Ezra Einhorn

The State of the World’s Reopening

With the spread of the vaccine, restrictions have started to change, and the world has started to reopen. So, what can we expect now in our new normal?

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Ezra Einhorn Ezra Einhorn

Lessons from the National Parks

If you’re in the United States this summer and looking to spend time outside, consider visiting a national park. The activities are endless and you just might learn something.

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Ezra Einhorn Ezra Einhorn

Pride Without Prejudice

As another June Pride Month passes us by, let’s take a final look back and celebrate the vast spectrum of gender and human identity, as well as the tumultuous history that’s sparked the modern movement for LGBT rights worldwide.

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