Hello! My name is Peyton Mendell. I am 18 years old from Castle Rock, Colorado. I grew up moving around a lot, which definitely sparked my passion for travel and the ocean. For the last two years of high school, I attended a boarding school in Hawai'i. It was the best two years of my life. Although I was born in Colorado, Hawai'i is definitely my home. I love all things water, but the ocean, climate, and animals are things I am particularly passionate about. Hawai’i was the place to be for someone like me.
I have always loved going to zoos and aquariums. I would say the Denver Aquarium is a place I know like the back of my hand. I love animals, I have a dog and two cats, and I love them with my whole heart. During my junior year of high school I did an internship working with dolphins! It opened up a whole new career path I had never considered, so now my dream job would be working with dolphins or big cats like tigers or leopards.
I heard about Semester at Sea my freshman year of high school and immediately knew it was something I needed to do. Living and traveling while on a ship?! A dream come true for me. When I learned they had a gap year program, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for me. I will be going to 12 different countries in 104 days. My major in college will be Animal Science, but on the ship I will be studying Oceanography and Environmental Conservation. I can't wait to bring you along with me, learning about the world and exploring new places!
