What is your favorite travel memory?
My favorite travel memory was in 2016 when my parents decided to take us back to where we had our best childhood, Tembagapura and Kuala Kencana, Papua. I grew up there until I was 5 years old, but for some reason the memories of living there have always stayed very close to my heart. I didn’t realize how emotional the trip would be, seeing that some things were still the same while others had changed. At that time my father was still working in Timika, so the trip also made me feel closer to him since we had been far apart. This journey made me believe in the power of revisiting a place, where you can still learn new things and able to see it more deeply even if you have already been there before.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I have changed and grown in many aspects. I gained more skills and confidence in teaching and in providing learning and discussion spaces for our international program participants. I was also able to connect with experts in research that I am interested in, build relationships with the diving community on the island, and give myself the chance to explore and try many new things in science and conservation. Beyond practical skills, I have also grown in terms of self-awareness and personal management.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
Sooo many! I couldn't mention only one story. Some became more certain about pursuing a career in marine conservation, some gained clarity on their bachelor’s or master’s plans, and some even shifted their interests to other fields within marine conservation after being exposed to a wide range of issues through our presentations, masterclasses, and hands-on experiences.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would choose one of the Specialist Months (shark, coral, or turtle) if I already knew which focus I wanted to specialize in. But if I were unsure, I would join the 4-week Research Assistant Program, where I could experience everything: dive preparation, hands-on research dives, data entry, post-dive briefings, and on-land research approaches across all research focuses at Gili Shark Conservation. This would also help me get used to the routine over at least four weeks.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
We are a small team with big dreams, diverse backgrounds, and strong capabilities, all driven by a huge amount of energy and contagious joy. Everyone is amazing, creative, and proactive, always able to manage problems while also recognizing our weaknesses. What makes me especially proud is how we always give each other space to grow and move forward together.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
From my perspective, there are two key factors that will drive a company to be successful: openness and trust. By being open with the people we trust, we allow each other to grow, change, and learn personally and professionally. This strengthens team bonds, improves work quality, and helps sustain the company.