Man who says he had previously left and re-entered the country multiple times alleges border officials called him ‘retarded’ and boasted ‘Trump is back in town’
When Jonathan returned from the US to Australia for a two-day trip to scatter his sister’s ashes, he packed only two changes of clothes, leaving enough space in his small bag to carry the empty ashes urn to his home in the US. The trip was so brief he didn’t even pack a laptop charger.
The Australian says he was detained and deported when returning from the memorial in March, despite holding a working visa still valid for more than 15 months. He has been living on the US east coast for seven years – where his American partner, apartment, work studio and clients remain.
After a long and gloomy winter, many people are looking forward to some summer travel. Google has some new tools to help you plan, but like most of what Google does now, the new features lean heavily on AI. And unusually, the most interesting of these additions is launching first on iOS.
Google says that lots of people tend to take screenshots when they’re planning a trip. Instead of letting those images become lost in your camera roll, Google will let you feed them into Maps. The new screenshot list feature will let you add those images to Maps, where Gemini will scan them to identify locations.
This feature is opt-in, and the AI doesn’t appear to detect locations with image recognition. Instead, it looks for place names in text, allowing you to review the results before marking them on the map for later perusal.
The Dearborn Inn in Michigan was one of the first airport hotels in the US.
Henry Ford built the hotel across from the now-defunct Ford Airport in 1931.
The historic hotel underwent a two-year renovation and features nods to Ford and Ford Motor Company.
The Dearborn Inn, one of the first airport hotels in the US, reopened in Michigan on Wednesday following a two-year renovation of the historic property built by Henry Ford in 1931.
The hotel, located across from the now-defunct Ford Airport, still features some of Ford’s original design choices from its days hosting world leaders and magnates.
“From the moment guests step through our doors, we want them to feel inspired by the history that surrounds them and by the trailblazers who once walked these halls,” Joleisha Bradley, the Dearborn Inn’s general manager, said in a statement. “The hotel is both a welcoming retreat and living museum, with historic artifacts woven throughout the property.”
Take a look inside the restored Dearborn Inn.
The Dearborn Inn was built across from the Ford Airport by Henry Ford in 1931.
The Dearborn Inn.
The Dearborn Inn
The Ford Airport opened in 1924 and operated until 1947. It is now the Ford Dearborn Development Center.
The hotel, designed by architect Albert Kahn, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is one of the first airport hotels in the US.
Famous guests included Walt Disney, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan.
A letter from Walt Disney at the Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
The newly renovated hotel displays a letter from Walt Disney along with other artifacts from its nearly 100-year history.
The restored Dearborn Inn has 135 rooms.
The Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
The Dearborn Inn is now part of Marriott Bonvoy‘s Autograph Collection network of independent hotels.
In the lobby, visitors can see the original Italian marble floors that Henry Ford chose for the hotel.
The lobby of the Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
The lobby’s green marble fireplace has also been restored.
Four Vagabond, the hotel’s cocktail bar, was designed to look like one of Ford’s studies.
Four Vagabonds at the Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
The name Four Vagabonds refers to Ford and the other three members of his friend group that went on camping trips together: inventor Thomas Edison, naturalist John Burroughs, and tire magnate Harvey Firestone.
The Dearborn Inn’s restaurant, Clara’s Table, is named for Ford’s wife.
Clara’s Table at the Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
Clara’s Table serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner under the helm of chef Elliot Patti. The original green marble throughout the restaurant was restored as part of the renovation.
A mural by Detroit artist Ryan Herberholz decorates the hotel’s private dining room.
The private dining room at the Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
The mural shows the Four Vagabonds on one of their camping trips.
The hotel rooms feature four-poster elm beds and Eames chairs.
A room at the Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
The hotel has 19 suites and a presidential suite featuring a living room, kitchenette, and dining area.
Even the bathrooms include a nod to Ford Motor Company.
A bathroom at the Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
The bathroom walls are tiled in the company’s signature color, Ford Pantone blue.
Rates at the Dearborn Inn start at $350 per night.
The Four Vagabonds at the Dearborn Inn.
Isaac Maiselman Photography
“Since 1931, the Dearborn Inn has been a significant piece of Dearborn’s history, and an important place for my family and the Ford community,” Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Company, said in a statement. “I could not be happier that the Inn is reopening in service of Ford employees, and our broader community.”
The author traveled in business class on Canada’s Via Rail train from Toronto to Montreal.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I booked a business-class ticket on a Via Rail Canada train from Toronto to Montreal in 2022.
For $200, I sat in a business-class seat with two tables and complimentary meal and drink service.
I thought it was nicer than most US trains I’ve been on, and I’d gladly ride again.
In the past four years, I’ve spent nearly 200 hours traveling 5,500 miles on trains, from 30-hour overnight rides to quick, three-hour journeys.
I’ve taken trains in the US from the Northeast to the Southwest, into the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and between the European countries of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Along the way, I’ve tried out a wide range of seating options, from business and first classes to shared bunks and private cabins.
In August of 2022, I spent six hours traveling in business class from Toronto to Montreal on Via Rail, Canada’s main railroad system. It was my first time using Via Rail, and I was surprised by all the business-class offerings, from comfy seats to snacks and meals.
It was better than my business-class Amtrak experiences in the US — and totally worth the $200 ticket.
Similar to Amtrak, Via Rail is one of the most accessible and popular ways to travel by train in Canada.
A Via Rail train at Union Station in Toronto.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
ViaRail serves more than 400 stations in eight provinces across Canada, with economy seating, business class, and sleeper accommodations.
My journey began at Toronto’s Union Station on a cloudy, late-summer morning.
Union Station on a cloudy morning.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I arrived at 7 a.m. for my 8:30 a.m. train to Montreal.
I arrived early because my business-class ticket included access to an exclusive lounge at the station with plenty of seating and free refreshments.
A look at the refreshments offered in the lounge.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Via Rail’s lounges are available to passengers traveling in business class, sleeper plus, prestige, and VIA Rail Premier members traveling in economy.
Amtrak has lounges at select stations, too, but they’re only free to access for first-class passengers.
The lounge was mostly empty on a Friday morning.
A look inside the lounge.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I thought it was a quiet and peaceful place to enjoy a coffee and get some work done.
Around 8 a.m., I made my way to the track where my train was boarding.
People wait in line to board the train.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
My business-class ticket came with priority boarding, so I was able to skip a long line of passengers.
When I got to my assigned single seat, I was surprised to find a side table and a tray table that pulled out in front of me.
The author’s seat on the train.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
No train I’ve ever been on in the US has offered two tables per passenger.
Throughout the trip, I used the side table to hold my coffee while working and to store my laptop while taking work breaks. Beneath the side table, a conveniently placed outlet charged my devices.
Right away, I thought my Via Rail seat was one of the most comfortable I’d ever experienced on a train.
Seats in Via Rail’s business class.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The Toronto Star reported that Via Rail business-class seats are 18.5 inches wide with a 39-inch seat pitch.
An Amtrak representative told BI that its business-class seats are about an inch wider than Via Rail’s, with an additional three inches of legroom, but I don’t think they’re nearly as comfortable.
Unlike Amtrak seats I’ve sat in, the top of my Via Rail seat was curved, so I was able to rest my head in a comfortable position for lounging.
The author relaxes in business class.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The seats reclined, too, just like in the US. This made them even more comfortable.
I also noticed that, unlike on my rides with Amtrak, Via Rail’s seat back compartments held a safety pamphlet.
An emergency plan for evacuating the train.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Like every flight I’ve ever taken, there were directions for what to do in an emergency situation. I found this comforting.
The train started moving right on time at 8:32 a.m.
The author enjoys a coffee while taking notes.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Shortly after leaving, a train attendant came around with a complimentary drink service. I ordered a coffee.
Then, it was time for breakfast. Unlike Amtrak’s business-class fares, Via Rail’s ticket comes with complimentary meals brought to your seat.
The author’s breakfast.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The train served a warm bagel with cream cheese. It was no New York bagel, I thought, but it was decent and filled me up.
An hour later, an attendant returned with savory snack packs filled with nuts, pretzels, and crackers.
A salty snack on the train.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Then, train attendants came around again with warm hand wipes before lunch service, which I thought was a nice touch.
Lunch was another business-class perk. The menu was announced over the loudspeaker. The entrée choices were trout, chicken, or pasta.
The author’s meal.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I went with the pasta. It was a rigatoni dish with sides of corn salad, bread, and carrot bread for dessert. The meal was better than I expected, with an al dente cook on the pasta. I also thought it was much better than the pasta I’ve tried on Amtrak trains.
After lunch, I went to the bathroom and was impressed by how clean it was compared to most train bathrooms I’ve used.
The author uses the bathroom on the train.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I often find overflowing trash cans in train bathrooms, but VIA Rail’s looked like it was cleaned recently.
Due to some delays at stops along the way, the train arrived in Montreal about an hour later than scheduled at 2:30 p.m.
The inside of the business-class train car.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
While I thought this was frustrating, at least I was comfortable.
Even though we were late, I found business-class train travel more comfortable and pleasant in Canada than in the US.
The author enjoys her carrot bread on the train.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
This 6-hour business-class ride cost $200, while a 10-hour Amtrak business-class ride booked around the same time cost $163. Although it was more expensive, I think the Via Rail ride was worth the additional cost since I found it to be so comfortable.
My most recent flight with the Asian airline was 16 hours from Chicago to Hong Kong and cost about $5,444.
Here’s what it was like.
Right off the bat, I experienced great service.
I was able to move to a more desirable part of the cabin.
Amber Gibson
The service on my flight felt super attentive and thoughtful.
My seat was originally right next to the galley and restroom, but because there were several empty seats in the cabin, the cabin manager offered me a chance to swap to a quieter location.
My lie-flat seat felt spacious and was in a pod-like setup complete with storage nooks and a monitor. After meal service, a flight attendant made my seat into a bed with a soft mattress cover.
I loved my chic Bamford amenity kit.
The in-flight amenity kit came in a cute bag.
Amber Gibson
Although I didn’t receive complimentary pajamas on this flight, I got a Bamford amenity kit that had an aromatherapy pillow mist, a body gel, and a moisturizing balm for hands, lips, and cuticles.
Bamford is a British skincare brand that is also very popular in Hong Kong. I first discovered it when staying at The Upper House hotel in Hong Kong several years ago, and it’s one of my favorites.
I was offered Champagne before we even hit the sky.
Laurent-Perrier Champagne is offered before takeoff.
Amber Gibson
Champagne is usually my go-to wine, and I was happy to start with a glass of Laurent-Perrier brut before takeoff.
Having free WiFi for the entire flight was a huge perk.
I got pretty cozy in my seat with my electronics.
Amber Gibson
Cathay Pacific offers all business-class passengers complimentary in-flight WiFi for the entire duration of the flight.
This was especially nice on such a long journey. The connection was fast enough for me to browse social media, watch short videos, and check my email with only a couple of brief periods of interruption.
The in-flight entertainment options were nice, too.
I watched “Tales of Taipei” on my flight.
Amber Gibson
My in-flight screen felt sizable and private, plus I had access to hundreds of movies and TV shows available ranging from brand-new Oscar winners to old classics.
There was also a broad selection of films in a multitude of languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Spanish, and French.
I watched “Tales of Taipei” to brush up on my Mandarin, then a couple of rom-coms.
My drink options continued to be on point.
Cathay Pacific carries Chinese wines on select long-haul flights.
Amber Gibson
You won’t be thirsty while flying Cathay Pacific.
The airline’s drink selection is typically excellent, whether you’re a wine drinker or prefer a non-alcoholic option like Hong Kong-style milk tea or the signature Cathay Delight, a refreshingly frothy drink blending kiwi fruit juice, coconut milk, and fresh mint.
Cathay also recently started offering a selection of Chinese wine on long-haul flights. I tried the 2018 Tiansai Skyline of Gobi Marselan Selection from Xijiang, an organic red blend with a lovely peppery dark-cherry aroma and notes of blackberry.
I always enjoy trying food and drinks I can’t find back home when traveling, and kudos to Cathay for showcasing an emerging wine region.
The food was good, although I preferred the dishes on my return trip.
On my flight, I had avocado toast, a croissant, fresh fruit, Champagne, and Hong Kong-style milk tea.
Amber Gibson
Meals on the plane typically come from catering kitchens at the departure airport.
So, on many foreign carriers, I’ve found the food is significantly better on flights departing from the airline’s home country as opposed to ones taking off from the United States.
I found this to be the case on my Cathay Pacific flights, too.
The food on my flight from Chicago to Hong Kong was good — I enjoyed the avocado toast with poached eggs for breakfast — but I had even tastier meals when departing from Asia.
Seriously, the food on the trip back was awesome.
I had wok-fried cod on my flight and some fun beverages, too.
Amber Gibson
On my return flight from Hong Kong to Chicago, I was able to order meals created in collaboration with chefs at Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurants like Louise and Duddell’s.
Chinese dim sum and congee breakfast and tender braised abalone were highlights from my flight back.
I enjoyed a lot of dishes that felt far from typical plane food, like wok-fried cod with sweet-corn sauce, chilled abalone, gai lan, double-boiled chrysanthemum chicken soup with goji berries, and more.
Lastly, lounge access was a nice perk on my way home.
I arrived at the airport extra early so I could enjoy one of Cathay Pacific’s lounges in Hong Kong.
Most of these lounges are available to those flying in first or business class (or who have special status).
I beelined for The Pier first-class lounge — although it’s typically not open to business-class passengers, I got access through my Oneworld Emerald status.
The lounge offers complimentary 15-minute massages that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
I waited more than two hours for the first available slot but thankfully had time to squeeze in a soothing scalp massage. I was feeling so blissed out that I could barely wobble back to my gate to board my flight home.
Overall, Cathay Pacific is still one of my favorite Asian airlines for its high standard of service and pretty comfortable cabins. I enjoyed my flight experience and look forward to traveling with the airline again in the future.
Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider; Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock
In January, I moved from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina.
So far, I’ve enjoyed the better weather and exploring the growing city.
I was surprised to learn that beer and wine are sold in grocery stores.
After graduating from college in the spring of 2023, I was determined that there was only one place in the world for me: New York City.
So, when I had an opportunity to relocate there for my first job in January 2024, I took it. My boyfriend and I moved from our respective hometowns outside Washington, DC, to a one-bedroom apartment in Jersey City, New Jersey, where the Manhattan skyline and my new job awaited beyond the trees outside our window.
Unfortunately, expectations don’t always meet reality, and as the months progressed, we realized how much we missed having extra living space. My flexible, hybrid schedule meant we both were working from home three or more days a week (my boyfriend’s job is completely remote), and the lack of square footage made it difficult for each of us to have a comfortable workspace.
Add traffic, the high cost of living, and the fact that both of us are perpetual homebodies, and we soon realized that neither of us was making the most of city living … but we were still paying for it.
That’s when Charlotte, North Carolina, came into the picture. We were looking for somewhere that could provide us with more space (minimum two bedrooms) for less money and better weather, but still a young, diverse population.
After we conducted plenty of internet research and took a visit to tour apartments, Charlotte became our top contender and we decided to take the leap when our lease ended in January.
Turns out, we aren’t alone. In August 2024, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance reported that 117 people moved to the region daily from July 2022 to July 2023 — more than 55,000 were from New York and New Jersey — citing perks like the area’s “vibrant culture, robust job market, and affordable cost of living.”
In just a couple of short months, it’s been easy to transition to our new home, but it hasn’t come without a few surprises. From wine stocked in my local Target to plastic straws at restaurants, here are seven things I’ve been surprised by since moving to Charlotte, North Carolina.
There’s alcohol in grocery stores.
Beer and wine are sold at grocery stores.
Jeff Greenberg/Contributor/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
However, the alcohol available at stores like Target and Walmart is restricted to beer and wine, and there are a variety of state laws limiting when and where individuals can purchase alcohol.
For example, liquor can only be purchased at liquor stores, and those are closed on Sundays. Meanwhile, beer and wine can only be purchased after noon on Sundays as well.
Still, this was a surprise to me. In Maryland, where I grew up, state law prohibits the sale of beer and wine in most grocery stores, so these products (and liquor) are usually sold at dedicated locations like liquor stores. In New York, beer is available in grocery stores, but wine and liquor are not, and can only be found at liquor stores.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, it’s legal for beer and wine to be sold at grocery stores, but in practice, it’s rarely available because of limits on distribution licenses.
Though I’m still getting used to the new rules, I have to admit it’s been pretty convenient being able to purchase a bottle of wine and ingredients for dinner in one stop.
Stores and restaurants still provide plastic bags and plastic straws.
Plastic bags were banned in New Jersey, but not in North Carolina.
Mykenna Maniece/Business Insider
In New Jersey and New York, plastic straws were made available only upon request starting in November 2021, while plastic bags were banned in 2022 and 2020, respectively.
This meant I was accustomed to bringing reusable shopping bags and being responsible for bagging my own groceries, so I was shocked when the attendant at my local Walmart in Charlotte started bagging my groceries in plastic bags.
I was similarly shocked when I ordered a milkshake and received a plastic straw without requesting it.
In North Carolina, state law prevents any rules that “restrict, tax, charge a fee, prohibit or otherwise regulate the use, disposition, or sale of an auxiliary container,” The News & Observer reported, adding that an “auxiliary container” can include everything from straws and plastic bags to take-out containers. Still, businesses can choose to provide free alternatives.
Even though the plastic bag and plastic straw bans do not exist here, I still plan to bring my reusable bags with me going forward, though I would appreciate help from the attendees.
People are more likely to ask for your phone number than your social media.
Rather than ask for my Instagram, people I’ve met have asked for my phone number.
Didem Mente/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
Growing up outside DC and working in New York City, it was commonplace to ask for a person’s Instagram or another form of social media after meeting them for the first time.
Here in Charlotte, though, I’ve found that other Gen-Zers are much more likely to ask for phone numbers directly, which came as a bit of a shock.
In my experience, starting conversations on social media first allows both parties to investigate each other’s feeds and generally be less committed to continuing conversations or making plans, while a direct phone number feels more intentional.
Of the people who shared their numbers with me, I was happily surprised by how comfortable I felt reaching out, which has led to more plans for future hang outs.
I already have a much richer social life.
When meeting new people in Charlotte, I’ve noticed that work isn’t the first topic of conversation.
Jeff Greenberg/Contributor/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
In New York and New Jersey, the majority of social events I attended were related to networking primarily because they were the only group events I felt were worth the necessary time and money to attend. As a result, most of the conversations I had with new people revolved around careers and how we could all benefit each other professionally.
Meanwhile, in Charlotte, the cheaper cost of living has afforded me with more disposable income to feel comfortable going out more frequently and to experiment with hobbies.
This, along with access to free parks (which I’ll get to later), has allowed me to build a far more robust social life than I had in New York, complete with pilates classes, pickleball, trivia at a local bar, pick-up soccer games, and more.
It’s easy to meet people in organic settings because navigating the city is a breeze.
I’ve enjoyed exploring the city in my own car.
J. Michael Jones/Shutterstock
I cannot overstate how much I missed having my own car before moving.
In New Jersey, limited street parking, excess traffic, and parking costs made having more than one car impractical, so my boyfriend and I got used to sharing his Ford Escape.
Now that we’re in Charlotte, though, we have an entire gated parking lot dedicated to our apartment community, so I was able to bring my own car.
I definitely underestimated how nice it would be for each of us to have our own transportation, especially on weeknights when we have overlapping commitments. It also helps that most drives in the city take a maximum of 20 minutes, a far cry from the 40-minute minimum I was used to navigating between cars, trains, and walks in and around Jersey City and Manhattan. Oh, and I rarely have to pay for parking.
So, although we each have to pay for car insurance, the other benefits definitely outweigh the additional cost.
There are plenty of public parks to enjoy.
It’s been fun to explore the different parks in the area.
cpaulfell/Shutterstock
As a new pickleball enthusiast, I was happily surprised to learn that there are multiple free courts in our area.
Most parks I’ve seen so far have a mix of free, open-play courts and others that can be reserved ahead of time.
As the weather continues to get warmer and the sun shines for longer, I anticipate that booking courts will become much more necessary to ensure we don’t have to wait too long to play, so the only thing we’ll have to learn is how far in advance we need to book a time slot.
Charlotte reminds me of home and I don’t feel like an outsider.
I was surprised by how much the city reminds me of home.
Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock
Despite this being the farthest I’ve ever lived from my hometown, what’s surprised me most is how much it reminds me of home.
With its abundance of shopping centers, green space, and residential areas, Charlotte feels like the perfect blend of city and suburban living.
And, as a city of transplants, it’s clear that everyone wants to make friends, which has helped to expand our network far faster than I thought was possible.
Though I’m more than willing to return to New York, I’m grateful for the flexibility to try something new and enjoy a different pace of life, at least for a little while.
I thought med school was the dream I wanted, but living abroad for two years changed my world view.
Courtesy of Carinne Geil
I’d been chasing my dream of becoming a doctor for 10 years and was feeling burned out.
I moved to Scotland with my husband. It was supposed to be for two years and a welcome break for me.
The experience transformed my life. When I returned to the US, I realized my dreams had changed.
In 2021, I bought a one-way ticket to a country I’d never been to, and nothing about this transatlantic move was part of my life’s plan.
I was in the midst of medical school applications when my husband was named a Marshall Scholar, and set to study in the UK for the next two years.
Despite some initial hesitation, I decided to delay my dreams of becoming a physician to join him for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
In the weeks leading up to the move, friends and family increasingly inquired if we planned to stay, and my answer remained vehemently, no.
I had two years to fully embrace life abroad and press pause on an otherwise hectic and demanding schedule. When July 2023 arrived, it was back to the script, back to normal life — that was my plan.
That plan was further solidified when I was accepted to medical school after arriving in Edinburgh, and I deferred until 2023 when I’d be back in the US.
However, I returned irrevocably changed, a new person with new dreams.
I’d wanted to become a physician since I was a teenager
For years, I’d wanted to help reduce the prevalence of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and obesity.
The WHO estimates that non-communicable diseases are responsible for 75% of deaths globally and that an estimated 80% are preventable through lifestyle changes.
I believe the keys to a healthier population are reducing behavioral and environmental risk factors, addressing socioeconomic inequity, and investing in widespread preventive health measures.
My mission revolved around this. And for the first time, while living in Edinburgh, I got a taste of what this looked like.
The inherent walkable nature of living in a European city, combined with safe and reliable public transportation, led to us forgoing a car. Food was more affordable here, locally produced, and less processed.
Common additives found in many US products were banned, and food generally contained fewer preservatives, so we made daily trips to the market or grocery store. And Scotland’s public universal healthcare system, although not perfect, offers high-quality, affordable medical care.
Meanwhile, my definition of success, honed in America’s hustle culture, changed. Prestigious careers and high salaries became secondary to my increased quality of life and availability of time. Through learning to live intentionally and mindfully, my nervous system became more regulated, and I found the peace I had been searching for.
For over 10 years, I was chasing the dream. Yet, I began to ask myself if it was really mine anymore.
Shortly after returning to the US in 2023, I dropped out of medical school
Despite all of the reasons telling me to stay abroad, the only way I could know whether medical school was still the right next step for me was to try.
I returned to the US in 2023 to start medical school, but quickly confirmed that this was no longer a fit, leaving just a few months later.
I had been so deeply committed to the career path I’d chosen when I was younger — to the person I had decided to become — that I’d swiftly rejected anything that didn’t align with that plan.
However, what I didn’t consider was that as your worldview expands, as you learn and unlearn and change, your dreams can too. And mine did.
I was drawn to a new path
I no longer wanted to pursue a path that would involve treating patients through brief primary care appointments or prescription refills.
Rather, I was drawn to a new path that focused on the importance of nutrition and public health education, and I wanted — needed — to live in a place that aligned with the lifestyle I believe in, allowing me to flourish.
In 2024, three years after first moving to the UK, I bought another one-way ticket back to Scotland with my husband. This time though, I stepped foot on that plane as an entirely different person.
My professional path had changed, as I was now pursuing a PhD in nutrition in the UK, helping others to change their behavior and advocating for health literacy and policy. More importantly, I finally understood what it meant to be brave enough to find the life you want and courageous enough to chase it.
The best parts of life often happen while you’re making other plans. It was only after I was forced to delay my plans, during a period of time where I had the least control, that I found the most freedom.
Moving to Armenia to be with my partner is the best decision I’ve ever made.
Courtesy of Sean Goodman
I moved halfway across the globe just to be with my partner.
I didn’t speak the language or have a job lined up, and I’d never lived with a partner before.
We struggled and fought in the beginning but overcame the obstacles and I couldn’t be happier.
I met my partner in the summer of 2020. What we both thought would be a summer fling turned into a three-year long-distance relationship.
Initially, we lived in different parts of the US. First, she moved to New York while I stayed in California. Then, I moved to New Mexico, then Virginia, before settling in Boston for a while to pursue my master’s degree at Boston College.
We welcomed the four-hour commute between Boston and New York, but then she received a Fulbright scholarship in Armenia. There are no direct flights between Armenia and Boston, and the flights can range between 10 to 15 hours costing between $800 and $1,200 round-trip.
This meant we could only afford to visit each other twice during this time period. After her scholarship was over, my partner, who is ethnically Armenian, wanted to stay, so we agreed that I would move to live with her after I graduated.
I’d lived in Armenia for a couple of months in 2023 as part of a Russian language immersion program, and couldn’t have been more excited to live there again.
I had no paying job lined up when I landed in Armenia, and neither did my partner
The plan was that she was going to volunteer with Birthright Armenia, and I would volunteer with the Armenian Volunteer Corps.
We were only paying $275 (before utilities) for a one-bedroom in Vanadzor, the third-largest city in Armenia. However, since we were both volunteering, we were not making money and, after a few months, were running low on funds from our savings.
On top of that, there were the challenges of living with a partner for the first time. While growing pains are normal, moving in together in a country where you are still learning the customs and unfamiliar with the language adds an entirely new dimension of stress.
I often felt isolated, which led to multiple disagreements over how to address the situation.
Despite these challenges, we overcame them by being proactive
At the start of 2025, we moved to Yerevan, the capital, and landed full-time jobs in our respective fields.
We are not making as much as we would back in the US, but we are spending far less.
Although the cost of living in Yerevan has risen over the years, it is still substantially low compared to Boston and New York City.
An average night out to dinner and multiple drinks costs $30 to $50. However, I can also get shawarma the size of my head for under $3.
Now, we spend our weekends exploring the country we have loved for so long. We’ve explored the “fairy tale province” of Lori and skied in Tsaghkadzor.
I also started taking private Russian lessons online (most Armenians speak Russian), and my Armenian has improved.
The kindness I have experienced from strangers in Armenia is simply unmatched
I have traveled extensively, and most of the locals are friendly in countries I have been to, but if I were to rank them by friendliness, then Armenia would be No. 1.
Last month, I accidentally took the wrong bus to work and got stranded. Conveniently, my phone stopped working, and I was visibly upset.
A group of women standing nearby asked me what was wrong. I told them (in broken Russian, no less) of my predicament. One of the women called her daughter, who spoke English.
When I told the daughter where I worked, it just so happened that her mother worked close by. They insisted on ordering me a taxi, refusing any cash offer I made as a token of thanks, and giving me chocolate as a parting gift.
Such acts of kindness are a common experience in Armenia.
We dated long-distance for 3 years, and we could not wait for the day to be together in the same place
Seeing Mount Ararat every morning never gets old, but I have longed to fall asleep and wake up next to my partner — nothing compares to that.
Throughout everything, she has made me stronger. I only hope she feels the same.
I don’t know what the future holds for the two of us, but I know we are both happy we decided to start a new chapter of our lives here.
I moved to Armenia to live with my partner, but now that we have stable jobs in a city with a low cost of living and get the chance to see the country’s breathtaking beauty almost every weekend, we don’t have a plan to leave anytime soon.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and Aspen, Colorado, attract celebrities and wealthy travelers.
I’ve visited both, and they each have impressive nature and a luxe vibe.
Aspen was much smaller, while Cortina d’Ampezzo had affordable options.
Walking down a brick pathway in Aspen, Colorado, I wondered exactly who was under the ski goggles and fur coats I was passing by.
I questioned if I’d recognize Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke, who owns property in the nearby neighborhood nicknamed Billionaire Mountain. Or maybe I’d spot Leonardo DiCaprio dining at the White House Tavern.
Fast-forward a few years, and I had the same question as I walked down cobblestone streets in Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo, another ritzy ski town.
Both destinations have a reputation for welcoming wealthy visitors with Michelin-rated restaurants, high-end fashion, and five-star lodges. But beyond these luxe features, I discovered ski towns home to rich history and striking landscapes.
They’re both worth a visit, but I left partial to the one with impressive architecture and affordable options.
Aspen felt quainter than Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Aspen, Colorado.
Douglas Sacha/Getty Images
A quick look at each destination’s population reflects how large each town felt.
I felt that difference on my trips. Cortina d’Ampezzo was bustling with people and cars. As my friend and I explored the downtown area, it felt like we had only scratched the surface — there were plenty of winding streets we didn’t walk down. Meanwhile, Aspen covers only 3.66 square miles; after one trip, I felt I could easily navigate the town.
When it comes to hotels, Cortina d’Ampezzo also has more to offer. A quick Google search for hotels shows 536 options versus 90 in Aspen, although both search results show choices outside town centers. The plus to Cortina d’Ampezzo’s size is that more affordable options exist.
The destinations felt comparable in terms of restaurants and shopping, but Cortina d’Ampezzo’s options stretch across mountains, while Aspen’s are concentrated in town.
I could get lost in Cortina d’Ampezzo. In Aspen, that felt nearly impossible.
Aspen has a rich history tucked around every corner.
Abandoned buildings at the Ashcroft ghost town.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
While glitz and glam can be spotted across both Aspen and Cortina d’Ampezzo, so can each destination’s history.
Aspen originated as a hunting camp for the Ute people. In 1870, they were pushed out by white settlers seeking silver. The town quickly boomed with 12,000 residents.
Signs of Aspen’s mining history surround the region. A short drive away is Ashcroft, a nearby abandoned mining town with 10 standing buildings.
It’s also easy to explore Aspen’s history with a walk around town. I’ve had a drink in Hotel Jerome’s J-Bar, which feels like stepping back in time. Leather seats, a long wooden bar, and historic photographs fill the space, which once served cowboys, miners, and the 10th Mountain Division soldiers.
Cortina d’Ampezzo’s past is also present across the region.
Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
For three centuries, the town was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austrian influence still exists — from Venetian-Austrian cuisine, such as casunziei (ravioli stuffed with red beets), to architecture.
The town became recognized worldwide after hosting the Olympics in 1956. Today, the Olympic ice stadium still sits in the center of town, hosting hockey games and ice skating. On the surrounding mountains, skiers and snowboarders like myself can ride down the same mountains where Austrian and Italian troops fought battles in World War I.
While snowboarding at each destination was thrilling, catching glimpses into each region’s rich history added an element to the ski trips I wasn’t expecting.
Both felt like the wealthy traveler was the target audience.
People peer into a store in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Simply put, I felt a bit out of place in both Cortina d’Ampezzo and Aspen.
In both downtown areas, I walked past people with purebred dogs, designer clothes, and top-of-the-line skis. I overheard conversations of visitors boasting about their Michelin dinners and newly purchased luxury handbags.
It was clear that both Aspen and Cortina d’Ampezzo targeted wealthy travelers. The Galena Street corridor in Aspen is dotted with Prada, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Valentino. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, Louis Vuitton, Golden Goose, and Dior have storefronts.
While vacations in both destinations are expensive, I did find more affordable options in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
A Prada advertisement on a lift on Cortina d’Ampezzo’s mountains.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Ski passes in the Dolomites cost me $73 versus $244 in Aspen.
There were also more affordable food options in Italy. I spent one afternoon eating on the mountain in Cortina d’Ampezzo for less than $20, whereas slopeside meals in Aspen cost me about $40.
And while lodging can vary drastically, more than 10 hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo offer rates lower than $300 a night. If you want to stay in Aspen proper, there are just two hotels with prices lower than $300.
Sure, both places lure celebrities and elite travelers, but visiting Italy — even with flights factored in — was still cheaper than traveling to Aspen.
Aspen and Cortina d’Ampezzo both have unbelievable nature.
A skier at Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo ski resort.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Of course, the highlight of both areas is their nature and proximity to the mountains.
Aspen sits in the Elk Mountains range, part of the Rocky Mountains. The striking terrain means there are endless hiking opportunities in the summer. Come winter, skiers and snowboarders can walk to Aspen Mountain, or they’re a short drive away from Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass Mountain. Altogether, that’s 5,700 acres of terrain with 363 slopes and 38 lifts.
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, hut-to-hut hiking is popular in the summer. Come winter, visitors have access to three areas with 72 slopes.
Each destination has its pros.
A view of Aspen, Colorado.
Jonathan Ross/Getty Images
Parts of Cortina d’Ampezzo and Aspen felt similar — the travelers, the stores, and the skiing.
Beyond that, the two areas were largely different, whether it be the cuisine, culture, or history.
I ultimately preferred walking down Cortina d’Ampezzo’s historic streets, soaking in saunas at affordable hotels, and dining on cheap pasta, but I’d argue each destination is worth a visit.
A WestJet Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplane on the runway at Toronto Pearson Airport.
Carlos Osorio/REUTERS
According to WestJet Airlines, Canadians choose South America over the US as travel bookings dip.
A 10% drop in Canadian visits could cost the US $2.1 billion and 14,000 jobs.
The trade war may be just one of many factors why Canadians are staying away from US travel.
The vice chair of Canada’s second-largest airline says Canadians are avoiding the US as a travel destination in favor of South American countries.
“There’s clearly been a reaction,” WestJet’s Alex Cruz told CNBC’s Squawk Box Europe co-host Karen Tsolast weekwhen asked if the Trump trade war has dented Canadians’ willingness to visit the US. “What we are seeing, though, is people changing their destinations. It’s no longer Phoenix or Florida. It’s the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico.”
“Canadians are seeking to continue to travel overall, it’s just they may shift from the US,” he added.
Avoidance of US goods and services above the northern border came after Trump repeatedly instated and paused a 25% tariff on Canadian products. Trump also, on many occasions, suggested that the northern neighbor become America’s 51st state.
Not only are US-made goods now being boycotted in Canada and pulled off grocery store shelves, but travel by passenger cars — a common way for Canadians to reach the US — in February shed roughly half a million crossings in comparison to February 2024 and hit its lowestmonthly number since April 2022, according to data from the Customs and Border Protection.
If the downward trend continues, the US tourism industry could face serious consequences. The US Travel Association told Business Insider that while they don’t have a current estimate for changes in visitation from Canada if inbound visitation from the north declined by just 10%, it could mean 2 million fewer visits, $2.1 billion in lost spending, and 14,000 job losses.
“We’re already seeing the first signs that Canadian sentiment toward the US is changing in a not-so-positive way,” Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy specializing in the travel tourism industry, recently told BI.
“Anecdotally, we’re seeing bookings from Canada to the US down,” he added.
Shirley Horn, the board secretary and treasurer of the Highway 120 Chamber of Commerce near Yosemite National Park, said international visitors, including Canadians, do not seem to be choosing Yosemite this year. She said this was partly due to the uncertainty around cuts at national parks.
“Normally, the international visitors would reserve way ahead of time, and now we’re seeing the impact of tariffs,” she said, adding, “Canadians are making a statement.”
Some Canadians also told BI that they would remain wary of going to the US, even if the trade war eventually goes away, over issues like the ICE deportation of immigrants and the threatsof annexation.
“Even if the tariffs issue ends or if there’s another president in four years, some Canadians are saying, ‘Once bitten, twice shy,’” Pearl Whamond, a Canadian mom who used to travel to the US often, said. “There have been too many threats and too much back-and-forth. It feels like bullying, it feels threatening, and as a country, we’re not appreciating it.”
WestJet did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
