Month: October 2015

On November 20 in San Diego, I’ll be giving one of the most exciting talks in my life: a keynote address to thousands of foreign language teachers at the annual convention of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). I’m a huge believer in the importance of connecting with locals while you’re on the road. And there’s no better tool for that than a proficiency in the language of the place you’re visiting. Here’s an interview I did with The Language Educator magazine, which gives my take on the value of learning foreign languages.

The New York Times recently ran an article about hipster fashion trends that claimed sarcastically that “the Rick Steves look is next.” While I’m honored to be mentioned in any article discussing pop culture, I must respectfully disagree with the author. The Rick Steves look isn’t the NEXT hipster fashion trend–it is, in fact, the CURRENT fashion trend. While I generally lay low when it comes to making fashion statements, I believe these photos prove that I was the Original Hipster. Don’t you agree?

Children of the Sixties and Seventies, I’m sure you have similar photos of yourselves–whether hitchhiking through Europe or just hanging out at home. Dig them up, and share them with me on Facebook. Let’s show the younger generation that they should have been listening to their parents’ fashion advice all along.

Groovy Travels!

I enjoyed sharing the stage with former Washington state governor Gary Locke last week for a spritely discussion at a taping of Seattle Channel’s “Civic Cocktail.” It was a fun and fast-moving interview covering some topics about Europe and our work that I’ve never before discussed.

I thought my blog readers might enjoy a virtual front row seat for the discussion. (Go to about the 30-minute point in the interview for the travel stuff.)