GVI: Marine conservation at Phang-nga Bay

I've always loved the water, especially marine life so choosing this specific course was a no brainer. At first, I was apprehensive of what to expect but this program delivered above and beyond what I imagined. Every day is different from a variety of jobs including caring and cleaning turtles, snorkeling during coral and fish surveys, beach cleans, teaching children about conservation and much more. My absolute favorite was butterfly surveys and discovered I have a secret knack for identifying butterflies (its harder and more fun then it sounds!).

My social life was brilliant meeting so many people who all had the same goal in mind - to make the world a better place! We would constantly watch films, do quizzes and play games in the evenings, and visiting other parts of Thailand during the weekends, being able to discover more of the culture and nightlife! Being there during Halloween was brilliant, with a party being held and a costume contest (2019 winner here!). They do everything to make it feel like home and have regular events and nights out making it even more enjoyable.

It was constantly sweaty, hot and tiring but my mood rarely faltered and I left feeling that I have definitely made a difference. I won't miss the cold showers or how spicy the food could be, however, those annoyances pale in comparison to the fact that I have had a lifechanging experience and have made friends for life! So while it was some of the hardest weeks of my life it was also the greatest!