Alumni Spotlight: Chloe Priestland

I've volunteered overseas several times before, and I always aim to try something new which will expand my horizons.

I stumbled across the All Out Africa Marine Research & Whale Shark Conservation project while browsing volunteer projects online and it just seemed perfect.

It combined my 3 main loves - traveling, volunteering and marine biology - as well as offering the chance to go somewhere entirely new to me, expand my knowledge of ocean life, and learn to scuba dive - something I had always wanted to try.

It didn't take long for me to go ahead and book the trip. I was unbelievably excited from the first. And I am so glad I took that step out of my comfort zone, because it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.

If you are interested in marine life and playing your part in helping protect our oceans, book this trip. You will have the time of your life.

Your daily activities vary throughout the week. You rotate between tasks with the other volunteers. The first few days of the trip I spent gaining my PADI Open Water qualification and learning how to identify the local fishes.

After that I was able to join the All Out Africa research dives. Each volunteer goes on about 3 or 4 research dives per week. You also participate in 2-4 ocean safaris per week.

The safaris involve heading out on the boat and recording whale shark sightings with your snorkel at the ready.

I was there for the humpback whale season, so we also carried out shore-based whale surveys in groups of 3 or 4. We would each do about 2 of these per week.

We would also have time during the week allocated for inputting the collected data into the various online databases. You always have some free time each day to explore, relax and socialize with your fellow volunteers. You can always ask to go on extra dives and ocean safaris too, though these will cost extra.

Some days the weather doesn't cooperate so you may end up with an entire free day - you have to learn to go with the flow. The beaches in Tofo are beautiful so we would usually spend our free time swimming in the ocean, strolling along the sand and soaking up the sun.

The evenings were free for socializing or attending Marine Megafauna Foundation seminars hosted at one of the local hostels. There were plenty of restaurants and bars if you wanted a night out, though sometimes it was nice just to chill at the volunteer house and chat about your day over a showing of Finding Nemo.

The best moment of the entire trip had to be seeing my first manta ray on scuba. I'd seen the videos, I'd seen the photos, I'd been told all about them...but nothing compared to the reality of actually seeing one.

It was only about 5 minutes into the dive and the manta ray came gliding out of the shadows. It was so beautiful and majestic I had to remind myself to keep breathing.

It was bigger than I'd ever imagined, yet moved so gracefully through the water. And when you turned to look at your fellow volunteers, you knew you were all thinking the same thing: WOW.

Before I knew it, the manta had drifted back into the shadows and I had to ask myself if that had really just happened. It was such an alien experience.

When we got to the surface after the dive we were all still so excited about our encounter, and we ended up talking about it most of the day. Even the dive leaders were excited, though they must have seen hundreds of mantas over the years.

It was a moment I will never forget.

My worldview has definitely changed as a result of the trip.

I had a passion for marine life before I embarked on the project, but I learned so much more while I was there and was really inspired to get more involved in protecting our oceans.

Since I returned, I've been trying to learn more about our local marine conservation projects, get involved, and follow all the latest developments in the field. I learned a lot more about the practices of finning on the trip, and why the local people feel the need to do it.

I learned a lot about the country of Mozambique as a whole. And I developed an even deeper respect for our oceans. It is one thing to learn about the ocean, but it is another thing entirely to head under the waves and spend time there.

It felt so peaceful and really put things in perspective for me. It made me realize how small we really are in respect to the planet as a whole, and how alien the ocean is to us.

Heading underwater was like catching a glimpse of a whole other world, and I found that so fascinating and so relaxing. You feel a thousand miles away from all your problems and your everyday life.

Now I keep wondering when I'll next get to head underwater!

Firstly, I would advise booking to stay for more than 3 weeks. It may sound like a long time, but honestly the time travels so fast that I wish I had stayed for 3 months...maybe a year or two...maybe forever...

I would also advise bringing a fair amount of extra money with you for some weekend dives or snorkelling trips. The weekend dives tend to be double dives, so you get 2 dives plus an ocean safari for a great price.

As a new diver, I found that the more dives I went on, the more comfortable I felt in the ocean. Not to mention the more dives you do, the better chance you have of seeing some really cool things under the water!

But I'd also say don't push yourself too hard. Spend some of your free time relaxing and recuperating. Diving can be tiring and you don't want to wear yourself out to the point of getting ill, because then you wouldn't be able to participate in any dives.

Enjoy the company of your fellow volunteers - they may end up being your dive buddies on future trips! And withdraw/exchange your money as soon as you arrive because there are no ATMs or banks in Tofo.

Learn to be flexible - the weather isn't always on your side, and the same goes for wildlife. You cannot expect to see something spectacular on every dive, but just try and enjoy the experience of being underwater.

Oh, and BRING AN UNDERWATER CAMERA. Trust me, you'll regret it if you don't.