My name is Yasmine Pirlepesova and I’m excited to share my journey to Nepal! I study biology, English, and environmental science at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. I also live in Memphis with my older sister and my parents. Nepal won’t be my first time out of the country because I frequently visit Uzbekistan to see family.
While studying biology, I fell in love with plants. I’ve volunteered at local gardens in Memphis and a college's garden in Alaska. I’m most interested in the plants we eat, which is why I’m going to Nepal. Nepali farmers grow so many different crops, most of which I've never heard of, but climate change is making it hard for them to grow. My goal is to use biology to help people adapt to climate change.
When I’m not studying plants, I’m making jewelry, sewing clothes, rock climbing, and playing violin. I've also worked as a teacher at summer camp, where I taught genetics and creative writing for the past two years. Now, I’m looking forward to connecting with more students! Stay tuned for pictures of nature and ancient buildings, facts about Nepali culture and food, and stories about the amazing people I meet along the way.
