Summer is only a few weeks away, and we love getting to know our students!
Mariama is a 16-year old from New York City who loves to dance, white water kayak, and read in her free time. Her other interests include community service, activism, public speaking, and traveling to “pop her bubble!”
We asked this rockstar 10th grader about her upcoming Nepal program.
GR: You have a whole summer vacation ahead of you. What made you choose to participate in Global Routes Nepal?
Mariama: I chose to be a part of Global Routes Nepal because one of my teachers attended the program and recommended it for me. After meeting [GR director] Adam, I knew that I would be a perfect fit because I would be helping others as I help myself learn more about the world. I wanted to be a part of a community that would be making a positive impact.
What are you excited about?
I am excited to see a new world. I am so used to being in one place that I think it would be refreshing to be apart of a new environment. I read and watch videos about various lands and climates that are different from mine but I want to be a part of the adventure.
What are you nervous about? What’s something about living or traveling in Costa Rica that might be outside your comfort zone?
I am nervous to be a beginner again. It is so hard for me to not know what to do because I start to feel lost. Being lost in a new environment seems nerve-wracking.
How do you think this trip could impact your future? (the rest of high school and beyond!)
I think this trip will show me how to communicate without my words. This skill will be useful and raise my confidence since I rely on my words so heavily. As a result I tend not to participate when I am unable to use my words.
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine your homestay and village or community in Nepal. What are you picturing?
I picture a warm sun surrounded by a bright blue sky with clouds sprinkled around. I see people that are happy to be where they are, ready to start the day. Best of all I see mountains piercing the sky in the distance. A place where buildings do not hide nature’s beauty.
What do your friends and family think about you going to Nepal?
My friends and family think this will be a great opportunity for me to learn in a more impactful way. They have also reminded me that I stand in a place of privilege and to make sure I am not imposing my culture but absorbing their culture regardless of what it may be.
How would your friends and family describe you and your personality?
I believe they would describe me as bubbly, outgoing, and kind. I try to get to as many people as I can because I know the importance of stories. No one should limit themselves from another’s story. You never know what you might learn.
Enrollment for our Nepal program is closed for this year, but it’s never too early to think about 2019! Enroll today!
Are you a Global Routes student, past or present? Do you want to get featured on our blog?
Tell us your story – email hello@globalroutes.org!
