ECO_CARE joins BEYOND BORDERS and meets Faezeh Karimpour

Hello everyone,

My name is Faezeh, and I'm from Iran. I am currently studying in Italy, where I came in search of new opportunities - not just to study, but to explore how I could make a more meaningful contribution to the world. I'm currently in my final year of the Business & Management program at the University of Turin, but my path is about much more than business. It's about discovering what truly matters to me and how I can contribute to something greater.

What I care about most is the idea of shared respect - where people, animals, and the planet are all treated with dignity and kindness. Over time, I've realized that my happiness doesn't feel complete unless others around me are also safe and supported. That connection between my well-being and the well-being of others is something I carry deeply.

I've always been drawn to ideas, creativity, and emotional connection. I love to read, to reflect, and to engage in conversations that challenge the way we think. I'm also someone with many interests -from education and sustainability to psychology and storytelling. I used to think I had to choose just one path, but the project Follow Your Heart reminded me that having many passions is not a weakness - it's a strength.

When Professor Margherita Poto introduced me to this project, I felt immediately inspired. I was especially moved by its focus on supporting children and teachers in Tanzania who face challenges many of us take for granted - like having proper materials or safe, nurturing learning spaces. The idea of helping create something useful felt incredibly meaningful.

That's part of what makes this internship so special. It's connected to two broader initiatives -ECOCARE and The Ocean Incubator Network - which explore how human behaviour and psychology influence environmental engagement. These projects ask powerful questions: Why do some communities engage in environmental protection while others remain indifferent? What role does storytelling play in shaping our connection to sustainability? I'm especially drawn to understanding what makes people care - listening to their experiences and learning what influences their relationship with the environment.

I'm also grateful for the support of Romina Bazrgar Golkhatmi, who offers thoughtful guidance throughout this journey (Romina is one of our collaborators of the Ocean Incubator Network and the creator of the Ocean Echoes Podcast).

As part of the Follow Your Heart activities, I'll be designing a lesson plan aimed at improving the classroom experience for students in Tanzania. The goal is to create a class that offers something more engaging and supportive - a small contribution toward strengthening a system that faces many structural challenges. This lesson plan will be taught to teachers, so they can apply it in their own classrooms and help bring positive change to their students' educational journeys.

There's so much I'm excited to learn - especially from Professor Poto and the team. I want to understand how to do research that connects with people and contributes to something real. Even if my part is small, I want it to be thoughtful and helpful.

I don't have everything figured out yet, but I know this is the kind of work I want to do - work that's meaningful and connected to something bigger. And I'm grateful that this is where my journey begins.

Figure 1. Children of the Nyerere kindergarten, with their teachers and the project coordinator Agnes Haule

For the new project in Tanzania see Beyond Borders 2025!