Hello! My name is Sahara, and I am in my last semester at American University in Washington DC. I’m originally from Puerto Rico, and I come from a very lively, multicultural home. Through my parents, I learned how much protecting nature matters to me. My mom, who was born in Puerto Rico, taught me how to garden and the importance of having access to nutritious food. On the other hand, my dad, who comes from Senegal, is very passionate about recycling and being conscious of how much water and electricity we use in the house. They both made sure my little sister and I were exposed to nature and the different biomes that both make up the world and tie it together. Throughout my childhood, they made sure we experienced everything the island had to offer; from rainforests to dry forests and mountains, from beaches, to--my favorite--mangroves!
Wanting to experience a world outside the island, I applied and got accepted into my university here in D.C., where I started working on my degree in International Studies. Getting used to the university life here was tough. I was not used to the changing seasons, constantly hearing and speaking English, or even the large school environment. I mainly focused on my schoolwork and going to work. Even though it was a lot to get used to, I eventually found a community here, and a passion for both education and environmental issues.
