Institute for Cultural Ecology

Dear I.C.E. Staff . . .The SCDNR staff were really nice and supportive, from day one they made me feel like I was really part of their research team as a valuable member. The lab and research facilities were top notch and it was really cool to have the college right there. I was also able to go out in the field electrofishing and trammel net fishing. This was really cool because these techniques of fishing can only be done with a special permit and for research purposes exclusively. It was the first time in my life I really got to handle live fish and the boating staff was so knowledgeable they could tell me anything about any of the marine life we saw. The house I stayed at was cute and comfortable. The host was so nice and really helped me in getting acclimated by showing me all the best places to eat, shop, and go to the beach, as well as give me a taste of all of the fascinating history that the area holds. I worked hard, had fun, and made great contacts; what more could you want?

My experience with ICEs Internship Around the World program was both illuminating and inspiring. Through this program I had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii, Fiji and Australia and catch a glimpse of their natural beauty and the cultures that cultivate them. As a biologist, I was excited to find an internship that focused on marine biology in these amazing places. In Hawaii we studied the effects of tourism on spinner dolphins, we assisted with the fingerprinting of green sea turtles by taking photos of their profiles, and we received certification as humpback whale naturalists. In Fiji we studied reef ecology, specifically looking at sea grasses and the incredible biodiversity there. We became scuba certified and had the opportunity to go on several dives. We also discussed effects of climate change, as a huge area of coral had been bleached due to abnormally high water temperatures the year before. And lastly, in Australia we stayed on an island near the Great Barrier Reef, where we spent more time learning about reef ecology and conducting independent research. While studying the biogeography, native flora and fauna, and human impacts on ecosystem health, we were also immersed in rich histories and traditions through a village homestay in Fiji, camping in the Australian outback, and hearing stories of Hawaiian mythology while watching lava from an active volcano flow into the ocean. For me, these experiences uncovered a compelling relationship between humans and the natural environment, and I started to develop a better understanding of the connectivity and interdependence between them. Overall, this internship broadened my perspective on the interaction between environmental, socio-cultural and economic issues while reaffirming my interests in biological sciences. It helped me realize that environmental stewardship and problem-solving is centered around the interface between humans and the natural environment, and moving forward involves a multi-faceted approach that incorporates the needs of the locals, scientists, engineers, businesses, and administration involved. This motivated me to pursue an interdisciplinary Doctorate that would allow me to advance in a career that facilitates a more collaborative process between researchers, the public, and policymakers to create positive change in regards to healthy ecosystems, cultural needs and the economy. I feel lucky to have been able to participate in this program, and I hope others are able to take advantage of this great opportunity to learn and grow through ICEs many internships.

How's it going? Just wanted to drop a quick line, let you know I'm back from Nepal. I just want to reiterate how great my time in Nepal was and thank you for helping me coordinate it, and remind you that if you have any more questions concerning the information I already sent you I would be happy to help, and you can pass my information along to any future participants who are looking for advice. I must say that my contact person was a big help. Also, I am strongly considering going back to Kathmandu this fall, to take a few more courses. The tuition fees are quite reasonable, and I think spending a semester there will really allow me to build on the foundation I received last month. I'll keep you posted on that as well. Hope all is well.

Dr. Adams . . . New Zealand is amazing! The weather has been beautiful. The at-risk youth center is great! The staff has been wonderful and really make me feel welcome. I love working with the children. The work is fun but also challenging and engaging. Many of the children that come to stay at the center have emotional and behavioral problems. Most of the time the children are sweet and very loving, but every one in a while they just have to let loose. The other students that I'm living with are great. There are 3 from Germany and 1 from France. There is a little language barrier sometimes, but we all seem to get through it together. This whole experience has really opened my eyes to a new way of living and working. I have learned in the past month that I have more freedom then I thought when working with the children. I'm allowed to take between 2-4 children down to the beach that is 10 minute walk from the Home. The beach is filled with rocks where you can find little crabs and pretty seashells. I was very surprised when I learned I was allowed off sight with the children alone. I guess it is a way for the children to have more one on one time with the staff rather than having 20 people around all the time and everyone needing constant attention.

As an editorial intern for the premier Wellington, New Zealand Political Newspaper the primary focus of my job was covering the national elections in New Zealand and the United States. As a journalism student at Arizona State University, I was eager to understand the structure of a news organization in another country. The paper specializes in providing the public with news directly from the source - publishing press releases from various organizations. They also host live video and audio feeds of Parliament. While taping legislative hearings, I was struck by the intimacy of my access to New Zealand's government. I also traveled extensively around the North and South islands. One cultural highlight was my stop at Rotorua, a town several hours north of Wellington. I visited a Maori village and learned about their historical way of life. These cultural explorations were equally important in rounding out my overall experience.

Upon my completion of high school, I reflected on what I had achieved in those four long years. It was then that I finally realized that I had never taken a chance, had never done some thing different, something that would set me apart from the rest of my class. I realized that I had not given myself the chance to enrich my character and grow mentally. It was time for me to take a chance and leave my circle of comfort for the first time; I applied for an internship in Fiji. Interning through the Institute of Cultural Ecology and U.C. Santa Barbara allowed me the ultimate opportunity to be what it was to be an independent person. It taught me how to fend for myself and helped me to understand the world in which we live in. This was my first taste of the outside world. My internship was a reef study, but the true personal development occurred in my home stay in Votua Village and my interaction with its citizens. The villagers were just beginning to come to grips with the world around them. They were learning about the new technologies and the every day current events in the outside world. They followed the carry-carry system of borrowing without the need for repayment. I realized that in order to survive in the world mentally and physically, I needed to take action for myself rather than to allow people to step in for me. I learned to support myself and to find ways, while involving the people around me, to get the necessary tasks done that better the group as a whole. I learned how to be a team player. The villagers treated me like a long lost family member that had just returned home. They taught me the valuable skills that were needed to survive in their environment and at the end of my journey, I could spear fish enough to provide food for three families and at the end of my journey, I could use bamboo to build huts and other structures. And at the end of my stay I had helped a man in the village build his hut. At the end of my journey, I was able to travel with the men to the jungle to find herbs for their many natural medicines. They transformed me in to an efficient worker that could survive on his own. The reef study was another wonderful experience.. I got to see the largest variety of fish that I have ever seen in my entire life. From the crown of thorns starfish, to the French angelfish, I saw them all.. My partner Eric and I decided taught a member of the village how to do the line-transect survey that we had been using to continue our research. When I was doing my internship, the state of the Marine Preserve was improving. We were beginning to see more and more indicator species turn up on our surveys. We sighted a bump-head parrotfish. This species, especially in the area of study, is a very rare sight. When this species is sighted it is an indicator of improving reef health. The quality of the marine environment was stellar in comparison to the reefs that I had viewed in previous dives in Mexico and Puerto Rico. The experience in the marine protected area just outside of Votua Village was the best diving I have ever seen. Coral diversity was evident everywhere. From massive field of fire coral to the many different types of Gorgonian soft corals, nearly every major species of coral is represented in that area. Inside those corals live some of the most vibrant parrotfish variations, the strange lionfish, and the imposing white tip shark. It is a complete ecosystem that is one of the most diverse in the world. After seeing the types of cultures and landscapes that existed on the other side of the world in Fiji I gained a sense of myself. I was no longer the big child that I had been my whole life. I was now a thinker, a dreamer that was able to accomplish goals and to realize where people were coming from.

I went to the Fijian today and had a great time with Fulori...she's super fun. She's fine with me staying in Kulukulu, and transportation is no problem. It looks like its going to be a really worthwhile internship. So I'm stoked....thank you for that. The location where I'm at is very accommodating . . . so I'm all set. Thanks for that....

Hi David, Sorry, my phone doesn't work too well here, so I'll just email you with updates if that's ok. Everything is going really well, the people at the Children's Center have been great, showing me around and helping to get me settled. The house is also great, the other girls that live here are very nice and have been very good about helping me as well. I will keep you posted with any updates. Thanks! Sarah

Bula...it is such a great experience for us interns and the villagers. it is good to see productive measures going back to the community as well as the environment.. My family, Taco Tony and Nene Anna have been great and it is very hard to leave them. They have been so thankful for the support they have gotten from your program and it has inspired me to look into doing the same in the future. I will return today to the village to collect my bags to say a final farewell...until next time. Taveuni was wonderful, as you recommended, and it was good to finally see that island as that has been a place I have wanted to see from the first time I came here. Anyhow, next time we talk I will be stateside, thank you so much for your corrospondance and for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime. Cheers Toby

Patrick has had an absolutely wonderful experience...Fiji (he absolutely loved Toby Wood, & had some great 1st experiences), New Zealand ( the Aspinall's were wonderful and he really enjoyed the work), Hawaii at the whale research house in Maui, and now he is on Oahu working on a ranch for two months. I think he is planning to come home after that...we will keep you posted. The good that has come out of all of this is not only the terrific experiences and great people he has met but I also think he has college in his sights...and a greater sense of maturity that of course comes with time......If you have new opportunities we would love to hear about them in the future. Good to hear from you, Many thanks, Margaret

I just wanted to say thank you so much for the experience of Fiji this summer, it was amazing. I also wanted to thank you for the opportunity to go back, I hope to go back to Fiji next summer and possibly Nepal.

The newspaper placement is going very well. I wrote a review of the new Niki Caro movie The Vintner's Luck this morning after seeing the screening last night. The experience has been great so far. I'm thinking of doing some travelling on the weekends, and may be able to write some things for them when I go. Alastair has been very kind and everyone else is nice too.

The best part of my experience in Hawaii was undoubtedly being able to engage with the girls I worked with one-on-one. While I met with the girls in a group of 10 to run the program everyday, I had opportunities to spend time with them individually before and after. I still keep in contact with the majority of the girls through e-mail, and their continued eagerness to discuss some of the very topics we covered in the 'Smart Girls' program I ran proves to me the importance of mentorship.I also can't emphasize enough how wonderful the staff at the Boys and Girls Club was. They went out of their way to invite me along to do activities with them- trips around the island, picnics, etc. Having done other internships before, I also appreciated how much responsibility they gave me. I was encouraged to design my own program and club activities, not simply instructed what to do. I really think that being able to take such initiative as a college intern is unique.

So far so good-the owners of the Butterfly Garden are very nice, as are the other volunteers. I am already giving tours! Santa Elena Cloudforest is lovely and the Garden itself is beautiful. Thank you so much for setting this internship up for me.