Why did you choose this program?
I had an interest in marine sciences and wanted to see if it was something I really liked beyond initial interest. It also looked like a great opportunity to travel to a new place and experience an entirely different country.
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
CIEE assisted me in all things diving, informed me of what I needed to bring, and provided me with trips as well as housing, meals, great friends, and a fantastic lab to work in. I had to organize my own plane ticket, buy a wetsuit and bring bathing suits, and pay when I felt like going out to eat.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Go into this with an open mind! Everyone starts at different levels of knowledge of marine science and strength of swimming, and weather is pretty unpredictable as well for a program that relies largely on outdoor activity.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
An average day would involve one dive or snorkel session, research and study time in a lecture or lab, maybe another snorkel session, free time, and a fun activity planned out on town with the PL's.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear was being homesick and not enjoying the trip. I went in with really low expectations but that just made the trip seem 20 times better when I went. I got involved every time they offered an activity and got to know every student on the trip well and it just made us all enjoy the trip so much better once we got to know each other.
What surprised you the most about your program?
I thought it was a super lush and tropical island but Bonaire is famous for its desert like setting and being quite dry. But it doesn't get as hot as you might expect a country near the equator to be because of the trade winds, and the water is gorgeous all the time.