<p>I grew up in Eatonville, a small town in Washington just outside the entrance to Mount Ranier National Park, but I moved to Seattle two years ago for college. There's a lot more to do in the city than back home; I've taken dance lessons, played clarinet in a campus band, and this summer I learned how to sail. Exposure to nature here is limited though. I used to go hike in the national park after work, but now I feel like I hardly leave the library! In the Galápagos&nbsp;I plan to spend plenty of time outside both on land and sea.</p>

<p>I'm a student at the University of Minnesota studying Spanish and Communications. I love traveling, seeing new things, speaking to different people, and getting outside of my comfort zone. I love music, cooking, hiking, taking pictures, and exploring.</p>

<p>I love coffee, friends, and exploring new places. I would love to write and publish a book where I learn more about some of the most unheard voices in places around the world. Hearing new stories and visiting new places are two of my favorite experiences.</p>

<p>I went skydiving on my 18th birthday, and that pretty much sums up who I am! I love doing anything active and outdoors. I am currently working a 9-5 job at an office desk, and I'm anxiously counting down the days until I go abroad to Australia this fall. I have an entire binder in my room dedicated to plans for all the outdoor excursions and trips I want to take when I'm there!</p>

<p>In 7th grade, I memorized the name of every single nation of the world and in my life, I travel to as many of them as possible. I like to read, write, run, and play French horn in my free time.</p>

<p>Hi! I'm junior at Wake Forest University studying economics and sociology. I spent the first seven years of my life in Africa, so it was a no-brainer that I wanted to study there in college. Home is right outside of DC, where I embrace the opportunity to act like a tourist in my own city. For me, a perfect day would entail a trip to the beach, true crime dramas, and roasted brussels sprouts.</p>

<p>Hello all! My name is Bella. I am 21 years old, and am a lover of the outdoors, yoga, hula hooping, and music. I believe that life is about enjoyment, happiness, and exploration, and I hope to share my everyday findings of happiness and life with you all!</p>

<p>I have traveled all around the world and I consider it to be one of my greatest hobbies. I have met so many people of various cultures and I have been so privileged to be able to experience cultures first hand, primarily because of my family. It was always so refreshing to see how someone’s take on an event could be so different than someone else’s. In college I have been very interested in government and policy making.</p><p>I worked at the White House, on the hill, and at DOE experiencing various stages of the policy process. I am also very involved in the Charlottesville community in volunteering at the pro bono law clinic and interning for a non profit governmental awareness association. I hope one day to go to law school and achieve my goal of becoming a lawyer but for now I am just trying to make a difference among the people that I meet and in my community.</p>

<p>Hi there! My name is Aida Mengistu and I am from Sioux City, Iowa. I am currently in my fourth year at the University of&nbsp;Iowa pursuing a double major in Health &amp; Human Physiology - with a focus on Health Promotion - as well as a Global&nbsp;Health Studies major and an Anthropology minor. A bit about myself, I absolutely love to travel and experience new&nbsp;cultures and traditions! I tend to express myself through my photography, whether it be through the warmth of a&nbsp;morning sunrise or the interactions between people. I also enjoy music, movies, and the performing arts. Fun fact, I am&nbsp;originally from Ethiopia and have traveled twice before to visit my extended family members over the summer!</p>

<p>Hi, my name is Shea Decker-Jacoby and I am a Junior at Brandeis University. One of my main hobbies is simply walking around new areas and finding new places to eat. Some of my best memories during my college career have been with my best friends having a laugh.</p>