Today we’d like to introduce you to Nazanin Nikoukary.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nazanin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After finishing high school in Iran, I moved to the United States, knowing that this move would fundamentally transform my life. After years living in the United States, Americans still see me as a foreigner. And, when I return to Iran, I am also seen as a foreigner or outsider. I have become country-less. In the beginning, there was a small twinge of sadness. But, over time, I have realized that this marks me as a traveler, someone who loves exploring new destinations and unraveling complex and fascinating stories about people’s lives and values. It has increased my self-awareness and has fueled my passion for food and culture.
I am at my most joyful when I am in a new country, simply sitting in a cafe and absorbing the culture that surrounds me. New aromas and tastes surround me and fill my senses. The joy only multiplies when a dish is placed in front of me. These dishes give me insight into a country’s culture. How they prepare food and how they use spices and tastes to tell a story. You can learn so much by eating in a new country. And, I love to share what I have learned with my readers.
I start by posting visual images on Instagram–sharing pictures and videos with friends and families. I love to answer questions that popped up organically. Recognizing that people really enjoyed visiting these spots through my experiences, I decided to build a website.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This is only the beginning of my journey … a journey that I truly enjoy and love. Every time I share my experiences via my travel blog or posts related to food and restaurants, I experience joy, knowing that this will inspire my readers. Interacting with my readers convinces me that the journey in front of me will be even bigger, and hopefully, I will be able to inspire even more people.
Of course, there are ups and downs in any journey. We all have days that we simply want to quit. Sometimes I think that this is not for me or there are so many others like me doing the same thing. What we share might look or be similar to what other influencers or foodies or bloggers post. But, each and every one of us is unique and sees the world differently. This unique vision matters to the world.
Please tell us about Plates and Destinations.
I graduated from UCSD but decided to change my path and I went to school to become a dental hygienist. Currently, I work four times a week and I have Fridays off to pursue my passion, which is finding new places to travel to and places to visit. This can be a big international trip or simply visiting a new shop in my neighborhood.
I love to support small businesses and local places even when I travel. I try to book tours through smaller organizations or agencies, and I love to visit small family-owned businesses. These people have a passion for what they do, and I want to share their passion and enthusiasm with my readers.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Who is a mentor? We want someone with experience, and also someone we can trust. We should find a person who shares our passion and sees our potential, but also someone who challenges us to be better and to work harder. A mentor should not be someone who simply strokes our ego and tells us what we want to hear. Instead, a true mentor will be honest and point out our mistakes. For me, I see my sister as my mentor. She loves me and cares for me like no other person. However, she also gives honest feedback about my work. She challenges me to be better and work harder, and I am so appreciative of her.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://platesanddestinations.com/
- Email: platesanddestinations@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platesanddestinations/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/platesanddestinations
Image Credit:
Nazanin Nikoukary
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