Q & A with Riley

Role:Summer 2011 Business Intern
Nationality:USA
Where You Live:Greenville, South Carolina
Star Sign:Libra
Likes:Horses, traveling, scuba diving, meeting new people, sunny days, good books, movies, hiking, the environment
Dislikes:pollution, ignorance, global warming, raw meat, being rude and scary movies.
Strengths:ambition, ability to take initiative, willingness to get my hands dirty, versatility
Weaknesses:speaking French (& not Spanish), delegating, trying new foods.
Odd Thought:Cafune is a word from Brazilian Portuguese meaning, “The act of tenderly running one’s fingers through someone’s hair.”
Most Anticipated Part of the Journey:Meeting new friends & exploring Panama and the valley.
Favorite Creature:Horses-sharks-elephants
Must Have Item to Take to Panama:camera and personal translator

Personal & Professional

Background

“With all its sham drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.”

Motto:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs are people who come alive.”

Biography - Riley Carithers

A sophomore at the University of South Carolina, Riley is pursuing a degree in international business with a focus on developing countries and a minor in French. She learned of Kalu Yala through a friend of her sister’s who was a part of the internship program and by a sure twist of fate had the opportunity to apply. The positive goals and standards upon which Kalu Yala is based drew her to this experience. It offers the perfect opportunity for her to advance her skills in a creative environment and make an impact on a project that is so important to blazing the trail for sustainable development in the modern world. Riley’s interests lie in everything from sustainable business, to development, human rights, animal activism, global health and public policy so she hopes to have the opportunity to get involved in many different projects over the summer. She was bitten by the travel bug at an early age and can’t wait to live in a foreign country and learn the language and culture of Panama. She is very excited about being a part of the Kalu Yala team.