What inspired you to travel abroad?
Traveling has always been one of my biggest passions. I believe that only by stepping out of my comfort zone, by going to places I’ve never been, emerging in foreign cultures, and meeting people that are different from me, I will learn and develop. There is only so much I could learn in school but to truly grasp what happens in the world and understand the impact I can have, going abroad was and is the only option.
I have been abroad multiple times now, and every time I learn something new, about the people and the country, but especially about myself.
Why did you choose Evolve Abroad?
I stumbled upon Evolve Abroad by mere chance, but was immediately caught in their programs and the individuality they seemed to promise me. I did not want an experience like every other and rather looked for a program where I would be able to truly follow my interests and get a diverse experience. From the very beginning, the staff of Evolve Abroad was very welcoming and on every phone or Skype call, I could feel that putting together these programs and allowing students like me to shape my own experience was their passion and truly came from the heart.
Visiting Cape Point (it was cold and windy that day).
What was your favorite part about Cape Town, South Africa?
South Africa is so different and diverse compared to where I am from. At every corner, there was something new to discover and learn from while at the same time I was confronted with its history and forced to truly see what the people had been through and are still experiencing.
During my stay, I had many opportunities to explore Cape Town on my own but also as part of my program and I really think what most impressed me was to be able to experience this diverse culture side by side with the great racial and economic differences, it was eye-opening.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Simply that every day was different from the day before. One day I would go teach kids in the preschool Bhongolethu, the next I would go out free diving with Sea The Bigger Picture and then hike up Table Mountain on the weekend. Things never got boring and there always was something to do. The local staff made many suggestions and was very supportive during the entire time so that at no point I felt left alone. It was this diversity and balance of different activities that made my experience extraordinary.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
During the entire process of applying, the preparations, the program itself, and even after, I never felt left alone. The staff at Evolve Abroad was always there for me and at all times there was someone I could reach by email, phone, or text. While in Cape Town, I was always picked up and dropped off at the internship site and someone always checked in on me to see how I was doing and how my day went. I was also invited over for dinner and truly felt like I was important, and everyone cared about me.
Microplastic sampling in Fish Hoek in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, UK.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
There really is nothing I could think of but I wish I had more time and to stay a little longer. The time passed incredibly fast and too soon my stay was over. There is nothing I would change on the program or my decision to do it in the very first place because the individuality that Evolve Abroad allowed me to have allowed me to shape my own experience and follow my passions and interests however I thought I would get the most out of my time.
I was for example very interested in the science related to marine biology and conservation, though I also enjoy working with people. I thus spent more time going out diving and learning about citizen science than on teaching preschool kids about plastic pollution in our oceans. Because everyone has a chance to shape their own program at Evolve Abroad, there is nothing I would change about my experience.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Every day looked different, but I would usually get up around 7:30 a.m. and would be picked up at 8:00 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. to depart for that day’s internship placement, which could be a preschool, a diving center, or the beach to sample microplastic amongst others.
Around noon I would have lunch, sometimes at my placement but sometimes also back at my apartment. In the afternoon I would usually also have something to do, either continuing to work where I was before or something new, until about 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. and the rest would be free time that I could use to work on the career development course or to explore the surrounding area.
The weekends were off, though the staff of Evolve Abroad recommended many different activities to me so that I was busy exploring Cape Town. Overall, there was a great balance between work and free time allowing me to both learn about marine biology and conservation from many different perspectives and also to get to know the country and its people.
Preschool kids at Bhongolethu where we taught about plastic pollution and the oceans.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
Cape Town and the surrounding areas have so much to offer that surely everyone will find something interesting to do. I personally went hiking a lot given that right behind my apartment a trail started, but also because I did not want to leave South Africa without being able to say that I visited Cape Point, saw the sunset from Lions Head, and hiked up Table Mountain. Walking and hiking I was able to better see and explore the area, and it allowed me to enjoy the unique fauna and flora that is so much a part of the culture and the people.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
The housing was apartment-style and super welcoming. I lived right next to the house of Evolve Abroad’s cofounder Shayle and her family and thus never truly was alone and always had someone I could go talk to if anything.
During my first week, I was all by myself, however, in the second week, two other students joined me, one of which I shared the apartment with. I loved the housing; it was like my own place but not such that I would feel left alone and it was really close to places so that I could go out in the evening or go on a hike behind the house.
What is one thing every future participant should know about Evolve Abroad before their program begins?
The way Evolve Abroad works, you will know everything there is to know before your departure. However, if I were to give you advice, it would be to simply be open-minded, curious, and ready to explore everything there is. Your program will be much different from what I did because it will reflect your interests, passions, and goals, but nevertheless, it will be a unique experience. Don’t be afraid of reaching out to the staff at any moment and just get into it, you won’t regret it.
...if I were to give you advice, it would be to simply be open-minded, curious, and ready to explore everything there is.
Would you recommend Evolve Abroad to others? Why?
Yes, yes, and yes!! The Marine Biology and Conservation Program of Evolve Abroad is unique and allows every participant to get an outstanding experience based on their interest and goals, although this is true for all programs of Evolve Abroad.
The staff is incredibly welcoming and caring before, during, and after the program. I was able to meet great people at all my internship placements and it was all super interesting and diverse such that it never got boring. I recommend Evolve Abroad to everyone that is eager to learn and looking for an individualized experience.
At the top of Table Mountain after hiking up!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Traveling abroad means stepping out of your comfort zone. It forces you to think differently and be open-minded and makes you more self-confident, adaptable, and conscious. You learn to think critically about issues that you may have only heard of or didn’t even know about, you find new ways to communicate especially if you don’t speak the language and you grow.
The people you meet, the culture you dive into, and the traveling itself make you see the world differently, you become more responsible and aware. I believe that the biggest benefit of traveling is traveling itself.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Every time I go abroad and come back home, I have grown a bit. My views of the world, issues but also of simple things at home have changed. I value different things, have learned to enjoy every small moment with my family and friends, and have gained the confidence to speak up and to not take things as they are.
I have also become much more independent and conscious which both have helped me in my daily life but also academically. The experiences I have made abroad and what it allowed me to learn about myself have made me who I am and brought me where I am today.
Visiting the Two Oceans Aquarium.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me is to not just simply going abroad and lying on the beach all day or only visiting the must-see tourist attractions. It means to fully dive into the foreign culture trying to understand what makes it special and how it shapes the everyday life of the locals. It means to completely try and understand what matters, what issues there might be, and what possibilities to help. You should take something away from that journey, and not just some nice tan, but something that was eye-opening. Meaningful travel is an experience that allows you to grow and learn.
