Natalie MishraInterviewed in 2020

Natalie’s passion in life has always been to travel and explore. Viewing the world through a different lens is not only life changing, but humbling. Each country she has visited and each trip she has taken has helped to form who she is today. Natalie is grateful for the opportunities she has been given to explore, and now she hopes to offer the same life changing experiences to future participants.

What inspired you to work for the Rekha & Sudhir Puranik Foundation?

My desire for others to experience the world and have life changing experiences. I love that my organization has service at the forefront of what we do; we give back and serve others. Giving back to underserved communities who are often forgotten is so important. 

Why do you do what you do?

I do what I do because I want to inspire the next generation to be more open minded, learn about different cultures, learn tolerance, and fall in love with traveling. I do what I do so students can come back and teach their friends, families, and communities about what they learned abroad and help build a bridge between the U.S. and other countries and cultures. 

How do you use your education and international background in your current role?

I use my international background everyday because I get to tell students of my travels and my experiences abroad, and encourage them to take a leap of faith and try something out of their comfort zone. A lot of times, it helps me to tell students of my international background because it lets them know that they too can take advantage of the same opportunities. 

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

I would say get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Get ready because from this moment on you will never be the same again; you will never view the world the same again.

Don't go into any trip with lots of expectations, let yourself be pleasantly surprised and take the experience for what it is. Enjoy every second of your journey because it always ends too soon and then it's time to go back home. Don't forget what you have learned along the way. 

What challenges do you face in your role and how do you overcome them?

I think the biggest challenge is helping students to get over the initial fear of getting on the plane and worrying about everything that could go wrong. A lot of times students and families are only concerned about the negative side of travel, but I try to get them to see the positive side too. 

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

Just do it! Don't let anything stop you from this opportunity of a lifetime. Sure, it can be scary to adventure into the unknown, but what awaits you will be more than you could have ever hoped or dreamed of. Take a leap of faith and watch your life change forever. Don't let the what ifs dictate your decisions. You will be glad you decided to do it!

How do you help support participants?

We support them from the moment they apply till the moment they are back home. We offer visa help, passport help, and both parent and student support. Our relationship does not end after the trip is over, we support them when they come back by offering support in school, jobs, and essay revisions, for example.

What makes Rekha & Sudhir Puranik Foundation’s program experience unique?

Our organization is truly unique in that we are a family. We treat our students and alumni like a member of the family. Our relationship doesn't end after you travel. We offer a lot of support to our alumni in the form of recommendation letters, college essay help, and head shots if they need it. We also regularly host alumni events where we can do services projects in our community. We don't just help abroad, we help in our own communities as well. 

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

I hope that our participants can feel a change within themselves, understanding that learning about and immersing yourself in another country can shift their perception on life. I hope they bring what they learned back home, so that others may understand a semblance of what they were able to learn. 

Why do you think it is important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?

It is important for people to travel abroad for the experience and education. If we do not travel and learn, the world will become less accepting, and ignorance and hate will fester. When you travel abroad your horizons broaden and you learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible. In the very least, you learn a different perspective than your own. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel to me means living like a local. Not staying at 5-star hotels and going on guided prepaid tours. To me all of my most meaningful travel moments have been the times I've walked out of my comfort zone and joined in the local community where I was visiting. Live like they do, eat what they eat, and understand what they value and hold dear. 

What hopes do you have for the future of the Rekha & Sudhir Puranik Foundation?

I hope that one day the Puranik Foundation will become an international community meeting ground, where people from all over the world can join us at the Vision International School and learn from each other and give back to our students. Service is a huge aspect of our program, but I hope that we can be equally recognized for the mindfulness and yoga retreats. The Puranik Foundation is a place of peace and a beacon of light. I hope for everyone to experience it one day. 

What hopes do you have for the future of international education?

I hope that one day International Education can be accessible to all those who seek it. I hope that we can become a world with more tolerance, love, and acceptance. A hope that world leaders will see the value of it and require it as part of educational prerequisites for students. I hope it will offer more exchange programs and make them more affordably accessible to students. I hope that it will become a priority for more people one day.

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