Alumni Interview with Hannah Lee

What inspired you to go abroad?

I want to learn about other cultures and about the different things our natural world has to offer.

Why did you choose Marine Biology in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico?

I love marine biology and I wanted to learn as much as I can about marine life and conservation.

What was your favorite part about Mexico?

The art they have. There were murals and sculptures all over the place.

What made your experience abroad unique?

I was bit by an octopus. Everything was fine. I just have a cool story to tell people now.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

They were amazing. All the people at CEDO were always there for any questions you had, whether it was a question about marine biology, their language, or their personal lives/families. They were like another family.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

Kept my gloves on while holding a baby octopus.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

We would get up around 5am depending on the activities going on and eat breakfast.  If you showered you had to do it in 10 minutes or less to save water.  We would then get our backpacks together and make sure we had all the tools and proper clothing we would need for that days events out in the field.  After we finished tidepooling or doing whatever else that was planned, we would go back to CEDO to shower and change before we headed to dinner at a local restaurant.  Then we would head back to CEDO to do lectures and get ready for bed. For me and a few others on the trip, our bedroom was the large wooden deck outside on sleeping mats with a sleeping bag in 40 degree weather. We would wake up with puddles of water on our mats. So we were wet basically all the time, but it was refreshing and I always woke in feeling like a new person. It was great!

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

Walking down to the beach and playing in the waves or just sitting on the sand staring at the ocean.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

It was very simple, which was a good thing. Internet was slow but that’s ok, it made us bond with each other more. I loved the fact that I could sleep outside every night with the ocean wave sounds in the background and waking up before the sun everyday.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

You will get wet, you will have to touch slimy dead things, do not over pack it’s just a hassle. I fit everything I needed into a small 40 pound hiking backpack.

What was the hardest part about studying abroad?

The hardest part about studying abroad for me was going back home. I got so attached to the simple living and kind locals at CEDO that I felt so at home there.

What surprised you most about Mexico?

What surprised me most about Mexico was how diverse the natural environment was. On one side there’s the ocean that is full of so many different organisms, and on the other side it’s just desert with some birds and coyotes and cacti. Two totally different worlds that work so well together!

How difficult was it to communicate with locals?

As far as communicating with the locals, it was not that big of a deal because we were in a more touristy area, so basically everyone spoke at least some English.  The ones that did not speak very much English, we were able to use small hand gestures. It also helped that there were a couple of people on the trip that spoke Spanish and could help with translations.

What is one thing you wish you would have known before studying abroad in Mexico?

I wish I would have known that it would be very cold and wet at night if you slept outside. I would of brought a warmer sleeping bag!

If you could study abroad again, where would you go?

I would absolutely love to study abroad in Australia or Costa Rica! Australia because I want to dive in the Great Barrier Reef and Costa Rica because they have a lot of sea turtle nesting there and the culture is so amazing and rich.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of studying abroad is?

I feel the biggest benefit you get from studying abroad is the confidence and independence you build with yourself. I was so unsure of myself before I went on this short, one week trip, but after I got back I felt so much more comfortable in my own skin and in my skills.  I also noticed how much more outgoing I was in day to day life.

Do you have any packing tips for individuals headed to Mexico?

Packing tips! I love packing! I always anticipate that packing list you get when you go to camps and different traveling programs! I would say pack as little as you can. Most of the time people over think their packing and pack multiples of the same item and end up not using them. You do not need to bring 10 pairs of pants with you on a trip when you can get away with 3 or 4 because you can rewear or wash what you have. I brought a 40 lb backpack with me to Mexico and packed everything I needed for a week of water adventures in it and still had room to spare even after I had bought awesome souvenirs. So think like a minimalist and pack only what is necessary to live, it makes everything a whole lot easier in the long run.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

It has made me more confident in everyday life. I’ve learned to trust my judgement more and to not worry as much.

Would you recommend your Marine Biology in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico to others? Why?

Yes, because it was well planned and it made learning feel like play. And you learn a lot about yourself and how to deal with unpredictable situations.