Bon Bini Bonaire!
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A few of us on a dive (we are having a blast)!I love to learn, so our time spent in the classroom learning about the history, culture, ecosystem, and critters of Bonaire was enjoyable to me. However, I really saw the effects after we would come up from a dive and launch excitedly into all the critters we saw, calling them by name and knowing exactly what the others were referencing. Watching a Caribbean Reef Octopus gliding through the water and then fully change it’s coloration to match the new coral head, witnessing a cleaning station where larger predatory fish stop at a group of gobies for a quick wash, or seeing 5 foot tarpon shadow hunt under our diving forms, it was all magical. Or, when we went birding and would get excited about the 30 Crested Caracara, or the massive columnar cacti, or the karst formations that make up the entire base of the island. Learning is great in the classroom, but to actually see the ecosystems at work in-person was just an incredible experience.
Another experience that we were surprised with was actually a certification we earned while in Bonaire. Reef Renewal is an organization focused on protecting and restoring coral reefs, and we had the opportunity to earn a “Reef Renewal Coral Restoration” certification! During this course, we learned about the process and management of coral fragmentation nurseries, how to cut and tie new branches, and outplanting. It was extremely rewarding to have enjoyed the reef and coral for the whole week, then wrap up our time on the island actually learning how we can get involved in the preservation and restoration of the ecosystem we grew to love. And, we walked away with a real certification that we can use for future coral restoration work! This course also taught me specifically that I should be expanding my career search to include marine and reef work, whereas before I had not even considered it.
Ultimately, this was the trip of a lifetime, and I am so incredibly thankful that I ended up making the decision to apply. My advice to anyone considering a study abroad trip is to make it happen! There is definitely a lot of work on the front end, with applications, interviews, finances, meetings, and prep-work, but don’t get discouraged and push through because it is SO worth it. Now is the time, and you likely won’t get another opportunity like this. This was a trip I will never forget, and has truly had an effect on my career choices and life goals.
