Sasha JohnParticipated in 2023Volunteer Abroad | Indonesia
Sasha John just graduated medicine in Perth, Australia. She loves traveling as much as possible!
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I’ve always loved the ocean and wanted to learn more about marine life and how to protect it. Through my medical studies, I know that there’s a strong connection between human health and the health of our environment, and I want to better integrate this concept into my career. The tropical waters of Gili Air seemed the perfect place to do this, while also making friends, experiencing local life, and exploring the beautiful ocean!
Why did you choose ?
I wanted to go somewhere where I’d be spending an abundance of time in the ocean. GSC offers two dives a day, four dives per week which is perfect. As I was staying for a month, the package also included my rescue diver certification, as well as the scientific diver and shark awareness courses.
Also, I wanted to learn about the marine life I was seeing, and what a day looks like as a conservationist. I listened to so many great presentations and was able to get involved with data analysis and science education. Furthermore, GCS is an organization that empowers local women through internships, coral catch, and much more.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
Gili Air has such a beautiful pace of life. It’s hard not to feel relaxed! But I think the best experience besides my time at GSC was discovering freediving on the weekends. The Pacific Freedive Academy runs amazing introduction, beginner, advanced, and master freediving courses that I highly recommend!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
As cliche as it might sound, it would have to be the people. I met so many kind teachers/ conservationists, and their passion truly inspires me. It was so wholesome to be surrounded by a group of thoughtful, positive, and like-minded people every day. I felt welcome from the moment I got there and was always well-supported.
Participating in beach clean-ups helps the wildlife and the surrounding environment thrive.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Mira and the Villa Nangka staff were amazing and so friendly! We always had delicious breakfast, kombucha, and family dinners. And the Gili Shark team was super invested in making sure I had a great experience.
Maisy accommodated my interests and was very patient when explaining how to do things. And I always felt very safe while on the boat or in the water. Diving was always so much fun with Katon and Aris. They’d be sure to spot amazing marine life and were happy to go through any questions after the dive.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Spent more time with GSC! There’s not much I would change about my experience, but I’d recommend looking into the entry requirements for Indonesia as some of my friends had issues. For example, a tourist visa generally only lasts 30 days, and you have to have your departure flight booked before entering.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Four days a week we would go diving, which meant breakfast and briefings at 7:30/7:45 am. Our first dive would be at 9 am, and the second at 11:30 am. These might involve coral restoration, roving surveys, turtle ID, or a dive against debris. The dive sites are all within about 20 minutes of Gili Air.
We’d get back to HQ around 1:30/2 pm and have lunch before starting work in the afternoons. Usually, we would be analyzing data from the dives that morning or creating social media content, but we’d often have a presentation by one of the staff members on an interesting topic eg plastic and pollution, sharks, coral, etc. After finishing around 5 pm, I might walk to the beach to watch the sunset or go to the gym before dinner. Some nights we’d all watch a movie or play games.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
As I’ve already mentioned, discovering freediving was one of the best things I did! Other than that, there are great snorkeling spots, some good yoga studios, and plenty of nice restaurants. It’s a small island, and there aren’t a huge amount of activities to do, so I’d often just be hanging out with friends.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I was in a 4-bed dorm with its bathroom. It was cool, comfortable, and cleaned daily. I really liked sharing the room with other people and it was just a 5-minute walk to the beach.
There is a shared kitchen and living/ workspace outside which can get a little hot but you get used to it! There are always people around so it never gets lonely.
I saw the most beautiful beach sunsets while in Indonesia. I'll never forget.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
I wouldn’t apply for this program if your only goal is to have fun diving. A lot of the focus is on learning the fundamentals of marine conservation and contributing to the program’s database. It’s also quite physically demanding depending on the tide you might have to carry your tank for 100m or so to the boat and back.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Absolutely! If you are passionate about the ocean and how we can protect it, you won’t be disappointed by how much you learn. The program is incredibly well organized and I always knew exactly what was happening. Moreover, GSC seems to empower the local community and make a lasting impact through research and advocacy.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Traveling takes you out of your comfort zone and provides the opportunity to learn so much about the wider world, as well as yourself. When I travel, I like to stay in one location for a long time so that I get a better understanding of what life is like there, and also contribute to the community in some way.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Even before I left Gili Air, I was researching my next destination! I’ve found a few programs that integrate health and conservation which I am keen to apply for so I can keep learning. I want to bring this knowledge into my workplace and continue to advocate for environmental conservation. I also have a bunch of wonderful new friends I hope to stay in contact with, and maybe meet again one day!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I try to travel mindfully. For me, this means making environmentally sustainable choices (e.g. for accommodation and transit), respecting local culture and actively trying to contribute to the community. I’ve found that participating in programs like GCS brings me more satisfaction, personal growth, and lasting relationships than trips that only involve sightseeing (but both are important!)
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