Broadreach: Bahamas Reef Explorer

What is one piece of advice you’d give future students traveling with your program?

Oulana: For all of those who are interested in marine biology as a future, I suggest this program highly. This experience was a great way to have a taste of the world of marine biology. I learned so much from it and wish I could have stayed longer. One thing that I would inform future students about this trip is not to get too stressed out with the academics and take advantage of the beautiful environment.

I’m also not saying to completely blow off all the work and just goof around. When I was in the Bahamas, I was stressing out too much about my end grade and the work I had to do. I didn’t get to fully take in all of the trip and left wanting more. Take your work seriously and enjoy what you are learning, but don’t let it overwhelm you.

How has this experience impacted your future?

Oulana: After the program, it impacted me a lot, not just the professional side of me, but the personal and academic as well. When being in this program, it made me realize that marine biology was meant for me and I would continue having fun doing it.

I always understood that you should have a job that makes you happy or else you are just wasting your time. I came into the program reserved and probably stayed that way for quite some time. But I knew that we would never see each other again, so I tried to make the best out of what we had.

I ended up making great friends and we still keep in touch. This program also shaped me by helping me through high school, because I now know what I want to do with my life. So most of my studies will be aiming towards marine biology.

Describe your program socially and academically.

Oulana: It’s hard for me to explain how well all of the students on this trip bonded with each other. It’s a great opportunity for kids of the same interest to come together from all over the world and learn and experience so many amazing things side by side. Our group of kids were so diverse, but some how we made deep and connected friendships that none of us thought could happen.

Then, once it came to our studies, we took it seriously. Since everybody there wanted to learn about marine biology, we put our minds and bodies into learning and absorbing all the information we could handle. Even though it might seem a little tricky to study and take tests on a sunny, beautiful island, we got through it because everyone had a strong mindset and a stunning attitude.

Do you think your program changed you as a person?

Oulana: I have no doubt in my mind that this program changed me as a person. I came back from it feeling completely new and refreshed. I feel like I just got a taste of true adventure, which I don’t get that often. Living in a normal home, there’s no clear water beach outside my window. I always have the desire to do something crazy instead of sitting in a classroom.

Life back home is so different and I still haven’t adjusted that well. It’s hard transforming so quickly into a normal teenager with tons of stress from a teenager living abroad in the Bahamas for 3 weeks. Everything was so exciting over there, which makes everything here so dull.

The trip has also impacted my personality; I have become more down to earth and I’m much more grateful. That opportunity was something that doesn’t come around very often for others, and the idea that I got to experience it, is truly something magical. I will never forget it and I will carry the memories with me, as I grow old.