Hey everyone!
I am Sehar, one of your leaders for SJ2B (San Juan de La Maguana) this summer! My co-leaders Holly and Martha are also excited to meet you all. You will be receiving a phone call from one of us leaders before our departure with some important reminders and a chance to ask any questions.
A little about myself: I was born and raised in the Bay Area where I have loved living my entire life. I majored in English at University of California, Berkeley and minored in Global Poverty. I taught at a charter school in East Side San Jose for a few years. Now I teach 12th grade English and AP Language at Irvington High School in my hometown of Fremont. In college, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Cambridge University in England, which sparked my interest in travel. I have explored many different countries in Europe, but this will be my first time visiting the Dominican Republic! I enjoy creative writing, basketball, music, poetry, being a bookworm, and spending time visiting national parks around the country.
It would be great for us to get to know one another, so please Comment in the Comment/Reply box beneath any leader’s post on our trip blog over the next 2 weeks with the following:
1) your name, school/city
2) hobbies, likes/interests that we should know
3) interesting places you have traveled to before and/or why you’re excited about the D.R.
4) a photo of yourself so we can spot you at the airport
Hello, my name is Ana Valente and I go to Sequoia High School which is in Redwood City. I like creativity such as drawing painting and playing the violin. I want to pursue a career as a computer animator. I speak Spanish and I have visited Mexico before. I am really excited to learn about the DR its culture and people. I am especially excited to help the community and learn from them as well as them learning from us.
Hi, my name is Harini Ramaswamy and I go to Cupertino High School in Cupertino. I like baking and cooking new foods. I really do enjoy traveling as well, I have lived in India, traveled to Nepal and Singapore as well. I am really looking forward to this trip to the D.R, and I am really hoping to learn more about the culture and meeting new people. I am most excited for the Haiti border exchange day, and to hear the Haitian side of the story after learning the DR side. I am really looking forward to be able to give back to the society, and making new friends. See you all on July 1st 🙂
Hello! My name is Amanda Ng and I go to Cupertino High School in Cupertino. I like to hike, ride rollercoasters and read books. I also love cheesy puns and jokes. I have traveled to Mexico, New York, and Florida. I am really excited to learn about the culture in the D.R, meet new people, and try new things. I can’t wait!
Hi my name is Olivia Williams (Most people call me Liv) and I go to Mills High School, which is located in Millbrae. I love sports; I play Soccer, Softball, and Basketball. Since I play so many sports I have very few other hobbies lol. However, I do love to paint, as well as travel and eat. I have gone to Mexico, Canada, and most of the East Coast, mainly due to the fact that most of my family lives there. I’m super excited to go to the DR because I’m trilled to learn about the culture, as well as try new foods ( hint as to why eating is one of my hobbies), and definitely meet new people. I can’t wait to go and I’m super excited to meet everyone going!
Hi! My name is Emily Han and I go to Cupertino High School in Cupertino. I like to dance, eat, and watch Korean dramas. I have traveled to China, New York, and Florida. I am most excited about meeting new people and learning about the culture in the DR. I am so excited to meet everyone! 🙂
Hi! My name is Karen Calderon and I go to Lionel Wilson in Oakland. I like to do makeup, listen to music, and play volleyball. I have traveled to Mexico, Florida and Chicago. I am truly excited to learn about a new culture in a new environment and socialize with new people. I am so excited to travel to the DR and meet everyone!
My name is Salymata Boury, but people have trouble pronouncing it so I just go by Saly. I’m an upcoming senior at Mission San Jose High School in Fremont. I too enjoy reading and listening to music, but I also like to try new things. I never visited anywhere else other than Oakland, CA, the place I was born in, and Senegal, the birthplace of my parents. Senegal is in West Africa, and I was raised there for nine years. I’m extremely excited about DR because it will be something I never experienced before. I can’t wait to meet you and everyone else!
Hi! My name is Meghana Narravula and I go to American High School in Fremont. I love reading, music, sports and traveling. I have visited 8 different states so far as well as India. I’m excited to go on this trip because it will be a new and amazing experience. I am so excited to meet everyone!
Hi! My name is Meghana Narravula and I go to American High School in Fremont. I love reading, music, sports, and travel. I have visited 8 states so far as well as India. I am excited tp be on this trip becasue it will be a new and amazing experience. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!
Hi, my name is Annie Zhang and I’m from Mission San Jose High School in Fremont. Traveling actually isn’t one of my favorite things to do, but I felt like this opportunity held too much to miss. I’m looking forward to the culture and environment of the Dominican Republic as well as meeting new people. See you all soon!