Coucou! (Hello in French :))
My name is Parina Naeck, I'm 22 years old, and I am currently a college student studying in Portland, Oregon! I am originally from Mauritius, an island found in East Africa. We Mauritians speak English, French, and Mauritian Creole! Coming from there, I had a chance to have strong family ties and it is a country filled with culture and diversity. We have a lot of religious festivals and love spending time at the beach. My family has taught me that I can reach to places that feel out of this world and I feel like I carry them in my heart anywhere I go in the world.
I have always been grateful to grow up there but at the same time always had a deep longing to discover other countries and communities. At 17, I left to attend an international boarding school called United World Colleges in India, which had students of over 120 nationalities. Spending two years there, I discovered my passion of being around such a diverse set of people and learning about life around the world which has led me to majoring in International Affairs in college.
Soon after, I got the opportunity to apply for Semester at Sea and got accepted, which is where I'm at now! I have been so grateful for every second here. Meeting new students from everywhere, taking interesting classes on the ship, and experiencing the countries I get to visit in between. It is hard for me to answer the question, "What is my favorite country?" because everywhere carries it's own life. Seeing new communties and architectures, tasting new food, and hearing new instruments and languages is what makes me happy to be alive. I hope to use what I learn in class and in the countries I get to visit to help people reach the opportunities I was able to get no matter who they are and where they come from.
I am thrilled to be connected with Reach The World and see where it takes me!
