January 1998, Beijing, Hebei Province… By the millions, the black flakes floated down as I intently watched their wandering flights. Summoned by a distant wailing whistle, the strange apparitions appeared from the gray clouds above with an eerie punctuality each night. My grandparents would remind me, “It’s time to go to bed. You have school tomorrow.” I nodded, gave the black flakes another glance, and went to sleep, knowing that the black snow would somehow make its way into my...

“And it’s another bright morning in Evanston, Illinois from 89.3 WNUR,” chirps my radio at 7 o’clock in the morning. I hit the snooze button and slowly sit up. My legs are still sore from the Ballroom, Latin, and Swing Team (BLAST) dance party, but I had learned an impressive swing out move and befriended several promising dance partners. As I check over a problem set for MATH 214-0, my roommate stops by. “Want to get some breakfast?” he asks. �...

The main thing to look for in deciding on a school is the...