Now I understand how to make real change!

This was the first time for me to volunteer with this kind of project and the first time I ever got involved with marine conservation. And it's been a really fantastic experience that has impacted how I look at many things.

Doing the scientific diver and shark conservation specialties with Zara made me start looking at everything differently. It taught me so much that I use and think of every time I go diving now. Before I was looking for all the cool stuff every other diver looks for - you know, everything that's rare and hard to find. Now I go diving and I am happy to just look at everything ordinary because I understand their role in the eco-system. Instead of looking for species I start looking at the anatomy and habitat of fish. It is literally a whole new world of diving which I am so appreciative of!

Everyone in the team has their role and every little thing we do feel important! Everyone has an attitude like: "You can achieve anything! If you have a crazy idea we'll support you!" It is such a supportive environment. We would clap maybe 5 times during office hour, haha! The whole team is so dedicated to what they do and everyone is so humble about it.
They have truly inspired me to continue on a meaningful journey in life.

Gili Air is also amazing! I felt very free and safe. Maybe because of the fact that I didn't wear shoes and that there's only horse carts and bikes around, which I both love! Indonesia is just an amazing country and this island has definitely been one of my favorites so far. Here all the locals will smile at you from their heart. It's a good mix of everything. It's tiny but it still feels big. You can be in the busy heart of the island aka the harbor and then you can go north and feel like you are completely alone.