Paresto Karimi
Paresto
Karimi is a Kurdish, Swedish, American. Her family fled a warring Iran when
she was just seven and moved to Sweden, which she considers her home. While
she was studying at Malmo University she met her American husband – he was
in Sweden on vacation. He knew of Virginia’s reputation for high-quality
colleges and universities and when they decided to move back to the United
States, he suggested they make the Shenandoah Valley their home. “He said it
was beautiful,” she explained. “He was right.”
As president of BRCC’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter, Paresto helped coordinate many projects and events, benefitting local immigrants to the children of Haiti. At the Virginia Regional PTK Convention, Paresto was recognized as the Distinguished Chapter President. “Her leadership was quiet, consistent, and strong,” commented PTK advisor, Abigail Montgomery. “Because she was an immigrant, she has a strong desire and commitment to help other immigrants. And our service area has a large immigrant population. Paresto coordinated a project to provide childcare and homework assistance to local children during their parents’ ESL classes.”
Paresto strives to contribute to her community. She’ll be attending the College of William and Mary this fall with a full scholarship, majoring in international relations. She hopes to work in foreign service after graduation, either for the State Department or with the Swedish Embassy. No doubt, the world will be a better place for her efforts.