At New College of Florida, the world is the classroom. Moving far beyond traditional textbooks and campus lectures, New College is redefining the study abroad experience, offering transformative international adventures that turn exceptional students into culturally fluent, globally prepared leaders.

Today’s top employers are looking for more than just technical skills. They want graduates who are adaptable, resourceful, and capable of solving complex problems in unfamiliar environments. At New College, international education is not just an optional add-on—it is a core pillar of a dynamic honors curriculum that seamlessly connects elite academics with high-impact, real-world exploration.

Through faculty-led programs, immersive research, and international internships, New College students are taking their passions across the globe.

For students like Abigail Hickinbotham, studying abroad in Italy meant stepping directly into history. Rather than simply reading about the Roman Empire or the Renaissance, students studying in Italy get to explore iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain firsthand, bridging the gap between classical education and physical exploration.

Meanwhile, in Central America, New College students Jayden Ponsford and Josh Evans recently participated in the faculty-led Coral Reef Issues program in Cayos Cochinos, Honduras. Trading a traditional classroom for tropical jungles and one of the world's most biologically diverse marine environments, they conducted hands-on marine research and engaged directly with local communities.

“Studying abroad in Cayos Cochinos, Honduras completely changed my life,” Ponsford said of the immersive trip. “It was more than just an academic experience; it was the most fun and eye-opening adventure I've ever had.”

What sets New College’s international programming apart is the unparalleled support students receive to make these adventures a reality. The Office of International Education works hand-in-hand with the college’s Career Center and dedicated faculty mentors to ensure every trip is tailored to a student’s specific career goals.

The result is a graduate who possesses a distinct competitive edge. By studying internationally, New College students develop highly sought-after professional competencies, including:

• Cross-Cultural Communication: Collaborating effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and languages.
• Complex Problem Solving: Navigating unfamiliar environments and adapting to sudden changes with confidence.
• Global Perspective: Understanding how international issues impact local economies, healthcare systems, and businesses.

When New College students return to Sarasota, they bring the world back with them. The confidence, perspective, and adaptability they gain abroad are immediately reinvested into the local community. As Sarasota continues to grow as a hub for innovation, marine science, and entrepreneurship, New College graduates are uniquely equipped to lead the charge, thinking globally while solving challenges locally.

Studying internationally at New College is not about simply collecting passport stamps—it is about cultivating intellectual curiosity, embarking on unforgettable adventures, and preparing to lead in an interconnected world.

James (Jim) Pulos is the Associate Director, Office of International Education, New College of Florida. 

Sarasota County is once again the talk of the town. By now, you’ve probably heard that CNN Travel has crowned our destination as the Best Town to Visit in 2026—and at last, the rest of America is catching on to why many of us decided to move, raise our families, and invest in our livelihoods here.

If you haven’t come across the feature yet, CNN highlights what locals have long known. Sarasotais where arts and culture, award-winning beaches, exceptional dining, outdoor adventure, and circus heritage come together to create our identity as Florida's Cultural Coast®…and yes, a compelling itinerary for visitors and residents alike.

The news we’ve had to be tight-lipped about for weeks is finally circulating widely in the sunshine and on social feeds far beyond our region. And yet, for as many impressions as this feature has already generated, there’s another story to be told. After all, national attention from powerhouse publishers like CNN do not just fall into our laps, no matter how much Sarasota County has to write home about. Sustained, strategic marketing and outreach beats resting on our laurels any day.

Like any good secret, though, it’s only matter of time before word gets out. And we’d like to make sure Tourist Development Tax—that 6% surcharge that only tourists pay yet funds so many quality-of-life amenities for residents—receives the credit. Here’s why.

For years, our tourism team and agencies at Visit Sarasota County have taken an active yet behind-the-scenes approach to securing and stewarding these accolades. As a public-private partnership, our bureau is heavily powered by Tourist Development Tax, especially our public relations efforts. Earned features and best-of lists are after all one of the strongest nudges to convince a visitor to click that “book” button, whose stay ultimately has positive ripple effects, like keeping businesses open and residents employed, for our local economy.

Earlier this year, as part of our ongoing communications with CNN Travel, our domestic PR firm, Lou Hammond Group (LHG), proactively pitched Sarasota for consideration. Over the following months, our Marketing team alongside LHG worked closely with freelance travel journalist Terry Ward to coordinate a May visit, helping facilitate interviews and experiences with local businesses. Perspectives from the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, The Ringling, Circus Arts Conservatory, Discover Sarasota Tours, MOTE, and Ocean Properties, among many others, then helped bring this feature to life.

Visit Sarasota County worked in partnership with the local tourism industry to secure support for the writer’s hotel accommodations while she was in destination. Tourist Development Tax, powering our efforts, funded her transportation, dining expenses, and itinerary development, yet also the efforts that led to earning her attention. If not for this tax, especially the 13% of the tourist development tax allocated to tourism marketing, there likely would have been no pitch, no hosted visit, no story, and quite possibly no No. 1 ranking.

We’re grateful just this week the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved our 2027 budget and scope, so we can continue fostering relationships with journalists like Terry and others whose pieces move the needle on bookings and, in turn, economic impact.

That investment allows us to combine specialized public relations partners with in-house expertise to deliver the right message, to the right audience, through the most effective voice. Whereas LHG oversees domestic media, Gosh PR pitches Sarasota County globally to the U.K. and German markets and Knight Strategic Communications amplifies awareness of sporting events among regional and trade publications. We even have an internal PR agency of sorts, our Community Relations team, who helps communicate the value of our bureau locally by building trust, proof of partnership, and positive resident sentiment toward tourism.

These efforts aren't measured in headlines alone. Already, this accolade arrives on the heels of strong May tourism data showing increases in both the number of visitors and how much they spent during their trip, an encouraging indicator as we head into the final leg of the summer travel season.

Sarasota County may be the talk of the town today, but stories like this begin long before the headlines. Behind every national accolade celebrating Sarasota County is years of relationship-building, strategic investment, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Even though no single story drives visitation on its own, we'll celebrate being No. 1 today. Tomorrow, we'll get back to the work that got us there.

Erin Duggan is the President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County. 

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It’s human nature to hope that what we love will outlast us. We want the people, places, and causes that have shaped our lives to remain strong long after we’re gone. One of the greatest privileges of my work at Manatee Community Foundation is meeting people who are thinking not only about the impact they can make today, but the legacy they want to leave for generations to come.

That’s the power of endowment.

I often think about one fund at MCF that brings this idea to life. In 2013, a donor made a legacy gift of just over $2 million. They could have chosen to make a one-time gift to a cause they cared deeply about, and it would have made a meaningful difference. Instead, they chose to establish an endowed fund. Because that gift was thoughtfully invested and carefully stewarded, the fund has grown to more than $4 million. Today, it distributes approximately $75,000 in grants each year to support our community while preserving the original gift for the future.

To me, that is philanthropy at its best. The donor's generosity didn't end with a single gift - it continues creating opportunities year after year, guided by their values and strengthened through long-term stewardship.

That stewardship is a responsibility we hold with great care because giving is deeply personal. Every donor has a story. Some have experienced firsthand the challenges they hope to solve. Others simply want future generations to enjoy the same opportunities they did. Spend a few minutes listening to someone talk about a cause close to their heart, and you'll quickly understand that philanthropy is never just about dollars. It's about purpose.

That's why our work always begins with listening.

Before we talk about charitable funds or estate planning, we ask different questions. What matters most to you? What do you hope will always be part of this community? What kind of difference do you want your family to make, not just today, but decades from now?

Those conversations often happen alongside trusted professional advisors. Estate planning isn't only about passing on assets - it's about passing on values. Including philanthropy in that conversation allows generosity to become part of a family's lasting legacy while supporting the financial and personal goals they already have in place.

As Manatee continues to grow, so do the opportunities - and the challenges - we face together. Endowed funds help ensure that resources will always be available to respond to both. They provide nonprofits with a dependable source of support, not just for today's needs, but for the opportunities and unforeseen circumstances that tomorrow may bring.

At Manatee Community Foundation, we have the privilege of connecting generous people with the causes they care about most to honor their intentions for generations. We know this community, we know its nonprofits, and we understand that the needs of today may evolve over time. Our role is to steward those gifts responsibly, ensuring every gift’s enduring impact continues to strengthen Manatee long into the future.

That work reflects who we are.

WE GROW TOGETHER by listening first.

WE BUILD ON LEGACY by honoring every donor's vision with thoughtful stewardship.

WE LIFT COMMUNITY by ensuring generosity continues creating opportunities for our neighbors, today and tomorrow.

The future of Manatee County won't be shaped only by the decisions we make today. It will also be shaped by the foresight of people who choose to invest in tomorrow. That's what endowment makes possible. It transforms generosity into something enduring, allowing a single act of giving to create opportunity again and again.

Because the greatest legacies aren't measured by what we leave behind. They're measured by the lives that are forever changed because we cared enough to plan for the future.

Yolanda Mancha is the Vice President of Philanthropy at Manatee Community Foundation.

Provided photo.