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Experiences of past volunteers
Difference between my first dive seeing fish, coral, etc I new nothing about and my last dive when I could identify almost every fish I saw gave me a sense of accomplishment very keenly felt.
Aidan Hutchins USA February 2009 7 week expedition
Aidan Hutchins 33, USA marine biologist and teacher joined RD in late February 2009 on a tailored 7 week expedition
The below extract is taken from her Post departure questionnaire:
Overall experience of your time at ReefDoctor – what did you gain;
1. Diving Skills: Not only did I gain and understand the basics required of me for my certifications, but I did enough diving where I feel very comfortable in the water and using those skills. I am confident about diving in other locations with other people.
2. Knowledge of the workings of a coral reef habitat and first hand exposure to the diversity that exists within it… and like great philosophers of the past have claimed, more knowledge leads to even more questions. I was amazed with the complexities of coral growth and look forward to exploring them more along with the crazy colourful fish and invertebrates that live among them.
3. Survey skills and understanding at a basic level.
4. Familiarity with a culture whose social dynamics were previously beyond my imagination. I was exposed to a new approach to daily life, an approach that involves a priority list very different to my own. Subtleties of life that I had previously overlooked or never need to give attention to often took a focal point … I walked away understanding the reasons behind what I had always suspected – things are never as simple as they appear.
5. A new level of patience: “Mora mora” is not the country’s motto (maybe even creed) without reason.
