As I get ready to leave for my internship with the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center in Utila, Honduras, I’ve been thinking a lot about my Community-Based Issue (CBI) and how my perspective has already started to change. My project focuses on how coastal communities respond to human impacts on marine ecosystems and the role that people play in conservation efforts. Even though I haven’t arrived in Utila yet, preparing for this experience has already made me think differently about marine conservation and the way environmental problems are addressed.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned so far is that conservation isn’t just about protecting animals or ecosystems. When I first became interested in marine biology, I mostly thought about the scientific side of environmental issues. I was interested in topics like coral bleaching, pollution, habitat loss, and how these problems affect marine life. While those things are still important, I’ve realized that conservation is also about people.
As I’ve researched my project and prepared for my internship, I’ve learned how important community involvement is in protecting marine environments. Conservation efforts are often most successful when local communities are involved and invested in the outcome. I’ve started to understand that environmental issues aren’t just scientific problems but social, economic, and cultural ones, which wasn’t something I thought about as much when I first started exploring this topic.
Since starting the Global Scholars program, I’ve noticed that I approach environmental issues differently. As a biology major, I naturally focus on scientific explanations and solutions. However, this program has pushed me to think about the human side of conservation and how people’s experiences, values, and priorities can influence environmental outcomes.
I’ve also become more comfortable with the idea that there may not always be a simple answer to a problem. At the beginning of this project, I wanted to find the “best” way to protect marine ecosystems. Now I realize that conservation is complicated because every community faces different challenges and has different resources available.
My relationship with my CBI has become more personal as well. Marine conservation has always interested me because of my love for marine life and my career goals in marine biology. Now, I’m becoming just as interested in understanding the people who are working to protect these environments and what motivates them to take action.
Although I haven’t traveled to Utila yet, I’m already thinking about how being in a completely new environment might influence my understanding of this issue. Reading about marine conservation is very different from experiencing it firsthand. I expect that living and working in a community that is closely connected to the ocean will help me see conservation from a new perspective.
One thing I’m especially excited about is meeting people whose experiences are different from my own. Whether it’s researchers, local residents, conservation professionals, or other interns, I know I’ll be exposed to new ideas and viewpoints. I think these interactions will be some of the most valuable parts of the experience because they’ll help me understand how conservation efforts actually work in practice rather than just in theory.
I also think being immersed in a new environment will challenge some of the assumptions I currently have. Going into this experience, I want to stay open-minded and remember that there is a lot I don’t know yet. I hope to spend more time listening and learning than trying to find immediate answers.
As I prepare for this internship, one of the biggest decisions I’m making is to approach the experience with curiosity rather than expectations. Instead of looking for evidence that supports what I already believe, I want to learn from the people and experiences around me and allow my understanding of conservation to grow.
My goal this summer is to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between communities and environmental stewardship. I want to learn how conservation organizations work with local communities, what challenges they face, and what motivates people to get involved in protecting marine ecosystems.
My Capstone is still evolving, but I can already tell that this experience will help shape it in meaningful ways. Rather than focusing only on environmental problems, I’m becoming more interested in the people behind conservation efforts and the role communities play in creating change. As I begin this journey, I’m excited to see how my perspective develops and what new questions emerge along the way.
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