Navigator Voices is a series of interviews highlighting the unique stories of students, faculty, and staff from throughout the Goodwin College learning community. Serena Seepersaud is a Connecticut River Academy (CTRA) graduate who is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Goodwin College. The following interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

You became a Connecticut River Academy student in 2014, and graduated with honors in 2018. Can you tell us a little about your experience?

Serena Seepersaud: It was always a really, really positive experience. I came from an environmental middle school, so when I decided to choose which high school I wanted to go to I was focusing on environmental themes. When I came [to CTRA] I was blown away by how beautiful the building is. We’re right on the river, and there’s so many extracurricular activities that were and geared towards environmentalism and activism. There were so many different things I didn’t experience when I was just in a public middle school before. And everyone was so welcoming, and there’s so many resources that I don’t think many people have access to. I really was fortunate enough to be able to attend this school and use those resources.

Did you come out of CTRA with college credit before becoming a Goodwin student?

S: I did. I think I had, like, 30 credits? I think now I’m going into my junior year.

What made you decide to continue your education at Goodwin College?

S: At first when I graduated I wasn’t sure which college I was actually going to attend. I was really on the fence. I wanted to go down to Florida and do some sort of visual arts/photography type of thing, but then I just decided Goodwin was the best fit. It was close to home, easier to get there, and they had a business program. And I realized if I go visual arts, I don’t know, I still don’t know what I want career wise and I thought business is so general and I have so much positive experience at Goodwin I thought it was the best fit.

How is your experience as a Goodwin student?

S: It’s great! There are so many people who are willing to help you. Not just because it’s their job, but they actually want to help you. They want to put a hand out there to make sure that you’re doing OK, and make sure you’re on the track towards where you want to go to. There’s a heavy focus on education because it is a College, but there’s also this really big focus on the outside world and getting a job and getting your feet down once you graduate.

With all the extra credits you came in with, you’re graduating pretty soon! What is your plan for the future?

S: Once I do graduate, I really want to teach the English language abroad in foreign countries. I think my main goal is to travel; I’m just trying to figure out ways I can travel, and make money, and be happy, and figure out what I want. But I’m looking more towards travel blogging, teaching English, stuff like that.

That is an interesting switch from photography or business administration. What drew you to want to teach English abroad?

S: I think the teaching English is just attributed to the ability to travel, but I don’t know. It just something that really appeals to me. I’m an immigrant. I was born in Guyana, and I went back there in November and I was just blown away by how different things were than here. I just love being able to go somewhere else and see how things are completely different than the way things are somewhere else. I don’t know, I just really like that.

Would you recommend coming to Goodwin or CTRA?

S: Absolutely! I recommend it to all my younger cousins, “Make sure you come here!” Because I love the college readiness program here at CTRA, but I also love the affordability and access that we have here at Goodwin. It’s just so close to home, has everything you need. I guess a lot of my friends went to big schools with lots of parties, but here it’s about getting your degree. Do what you need to do. Meet with your professors.

Any advice that you would give to someone thinking about coming to CTRA or Goodwin?

S: Take advantage of all the resources. They have so many things to offer, and I think there’s so many options. I think back to all the other people who don’t have these opportunities we have, and I think we just have to make the most of it. There’s so much here for us.

Anything else that you would like to add?

S: I’m just so incredibly fortunate and happy to be a Goodwin scholar.