Safari as a Way of Life
My name is RachelMarie, but feel free to call me Rachel. My husband and I currently live in the beautiful city of Philadelphia but we were both born and raised on Long Island, NY. I am a lover of espresso shots and lattes, iced green tea, photography, and the beach. I believe in living life fearlessly, compassionately, and intentionally while seeking the rare and unfamiliar and remembering that the journey is the destination.
My time in undergrad was spent in Allentown, PA at Muhlenberg College studying International Studies: Peace and Conflict, as well as Photography. I also have a Master’s degree which I received from American University: School of International Service, studying International Development. I previously worked at a think tank and quickly decided that I needed to go in a different direction, which was when I started to pursue my Masters. For awhile it was really up in there air where I could work and what I could do because my husband was waiting to hear back from medical schools, which meant we could have ended up anywhere. We were so lucky that he got into his first choice, here in Philadelphia though. He is now in his second year of medical school (you might see me refer to it as OMS2 or MS2) and is working hard studying for his first board exam which will be in May 2018. While he’s in school, I am currently working for a nonprofit, teaching photography and working here. I’m also a new mom, my daughter was born on December 27th, 2018 and she is my whole world.
I have a huge passion for helping others, part of living my life with purpose and intent is by being aware of how my choices impact others. So I very actively support fair trade, organic and sustainably made products. Additionally, I’m very active with different NGO’s, aid organizations, and human rights causes. If you ever have questions about conflicts going on internationally or questions about non-profits and aid work, feel free to pick my brain. I love love love discussing it all and I have so many wonderful friends in the field!