PTPI Blog

Name: Nichole Taylor

Title: Global Youth Service Day Project Intern

Start date at PTPI: January 2012

Nichole Taylor

1. Are you named after anyone? 

Not that I know of. But I will tell you all a little secret. My first name is actually Belinda, while my middle name is Nichole. When I was in 4th grade I moved to a new school, and I wanted to start life anew as Nichole Taylor. This ended up backfiring though, because every day when the teacher would call roll, she would call out BELINDA TAYLOR (much louder than anyone else’s name, it seemed) and every day I would exhaust myself by explaining otherwise. Who knew it would be such a burden?!

2. What is your favorite book?

Oh, man. I love, love, love to read so that’s a toughie. I am a huge fan of Kurt Vonnegut. I am also a huge fan of Herman Hesse and Camus, which is strange because I am not really an existentialist. I enjoy a good story with dynamic characters, humor, twists, and so on…I am always up for suggestions so if you have any, let me know!

3. What book are you reading at the moment? 

I am currently reading a book by Herman Hesse called Narcissus and Goldmund. The story is about two very unlike characters who become best friends. Narcissus is Goldmund’s professor, and he takes on sort of a mentor role in Goldmund’s life. Herman Hesse is a brilliant writer because his characters always encompass a distinct allegory throughout his novels. I am a huge classic literature nerd!

4. What’s the last movie you watched?

Melancholia, directed by Lars von Trier. With Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgard – this is one of the most beautiful films I have seen in a long time. Definitely check out the trailer and see if you’d be interested.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

I would initially choose somewhere in Latin America or Spain. I am trying to become fluent in Spanish and I think the best way for me to accomplish this would be by totally immersing myself in a Spanish-speaking culture.

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org

Name: Kresha Scott

Title: OIC Warehouse Coordinator

Start Date at PTPI: July 2009 and June 2011

Kresha Scott

1. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Well, I actually haven’t been able to come up with a place yet that I don’t want to go. But I especially love places that have a lot of history, so I would love to go to places like Egypt, Turkey, Peru, Israel and Greece.

2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

I would love to live in Berlin. While I was there on a trip I fell in love with the people, the culture, the food, and the beer! I also like the idea of being able to travel all around Europe so easily.

3. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what is the first thing you would do?

Rent a storage unit for all of my stuff and book an open-ended flight to one of the places listed above.

4. What is your favorite book?

I love Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. And unlike the other kids in my high school literature class, I loved reading the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer.

5. Are there any words you live by? A favorite saying or quote?

I always loved the quote by Gandhi that says “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org 

There is a new Student Department intern at PTPI World Headquarters – help us welcome her! (Our two former interns, Brent Jensen and Eileen Purkeypile, have joined the PTPI Staff full-time.)

Name: Ranya Ahmed

Title: Intern, Student Department

Start Date at PTPI: May, 2011

Ranya Ahmed

1. Where all have you lived in the world?

I’ve lived all over the place! I’m from Bahrain so that’s where I spent most of my life, but I’ve also lived in England, Scotland, Australia, and the United States (Iowa, New York, and Kansas). I’ve traveled to about 26 countries so far, and hope to continue traveling!

2. What has been your favorite travel experience?

I have two: I loved going to Peru and exploring the Andes Mountains and the Incan ruins, but I also loved my trip to South Africa which consisted of a volunteer, safari, and educational tour of the country.

3. Who is your favorite fictional character?  (Literature or film)

I love Robert Frost poems, and although it is unclear in “The Road Not Taken” who the character is, that person is my favorite character because I like to think of myself as being courageous enough to take a more daring, difficult, and adventurous approach to life,

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one last traveled by

And that has made all the difference.”

4. What is your favorite song?

“Let It Be Me” by Ray LaMontagne

5. If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be?

Baskin Robbins “World Class” – it’s a swirl of different types of chocolate – and I like to think of myself as a person with many intertwining components! Plus, it’s delicious!