Sometimes life is like a rough sea – unpredictable, challenging, but also full of beauty. For Alexandra McDonald, this metaphor is more than just an image. Her life is characterized by cultural diversity, unusual experiences, and the constant search for her own place in the world.
Born to a French mother and a Scottish father, Alexandra spent her first 14 years in Scotland. Then the family moved to Germany – a change that presented an immense challenge for Alexandra, as she arrived without any knowledge of German.
“We had period lessons at the Waldorf School. My first one was the German period. And we had the Nibelungenlied. I sat there and thought to myself: Oh God. I don’t understand anything, I’ll never get it!”, Alexandra recalls. But what seemed insurmountable at first, she mastered with remarkable perseverance.
Her family was her greatest support during this time. Her relationship with her brother in particular became closer. “Since moving to Germany, my brother and I have been closer than ever before. We only had each other and couldn’t talk to anyone else,” she says. Her eight pets – four dogs and four cats – also gave her comfort and strength in her new surroundings.
A new direction through Okeanos
A significant turning point in Alexandra’s life was her involvement with the Okeanos Foundation, specifically the Future Me+ project. This project aims to support young people in their personal development and motivate them to take social responsibility.
Alexandra used this opportunity to reflect on herself and find her own path. The stories of people with unconventional career paths in particular showed her that it was okay to change your mind and try out different paths.
Another formative period was the Okeanos Foundation’s Waves of Action program. Her time on the sailing ship Vaka proved to be both challenging and enriching. “We were all seasick and the weather was bad, but sailing at night in a storm and seeing lightning was an unforgettable experience,” says Alexandra. This experience made her realize how small and vulnerable humans are compared to the immense power of nature.
Commitment to environmental protection
Since May 2024, Alexandra has been involved with the “Seagrass Guards”, a project dedicated to the protection and restoration of seagrass meadows. One of her tasks is to do translation work to spread the project’s messages in several languages, she explains.
This commitment has given her a deep insight into the importance of seagrass meadows for the marine ecosystem, says the young woman. At the same time, it motivates her to continue working actively for environmental protection.
Music as a return to herself
In addition to her studies and environmental projects, Alexandra has a great passion for music. Even as a child, she sang in the opera, but after arriving in Germany, she didn’t dare to sing for a long time. The language barrier made her insecure.
It was only through a school musical and the encouraging support of her friend that she regained her self-confidence. She now writes her own music.
“It’s okay to change your mind. You don’t have to stick to one thing for your whole life,” she emphasizes. This realization runs like a thread through Alexandra’s life. Her experiences have shown her that it is important to remain flexible and still be true to yourself.
Perseverance, courage, and the ability to constantly reinvent yourself – that is what inspires Alexandra to continue on her own path.
