Let's Get Alondra To Bonaire!

Alondra Heredia Start Date: Dec 7, 2016 - End Date: May 5, 2017
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

My Travel Story

by: Alondra Heredia Start Date: Dec 7, 2016 - End Date: May 5, 2017
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Study/Degree Abroad
By participating in this opportunity I will be able to expand my knowledge and understanding of the conservation of marine life and tropical ecosystems.
Being born and raised in the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico exposed me to the ecological challenges conservationists encounter while trying to preserve tropical and marine ecosystems. From garbage and debris being littered around beaches and national rain forests to illegal poaching of turtles, it can be seen that the challenges are endless.
I hope that with this study abroad course we will be able to learn more about what we can do on a daily basis to try and conserve our tropical ecosystems. As well as help raise awareness and solidify our understanding of the effects global warming has on our coral reefs.
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Al participar en esta oportunidad, podré ampliar mi conocimiento y comprensión de la conservación de la vida marina y de los ecosistemas tropicales.
Habiendo nacido y criada en la isla caribeña de Puerto Rico, fui expuesta a las problemas ecológicos que muchos conservacionistas se enfrentan al tratar de preservar los ecosistemas tropicales y marinos. Desde la basura y escombros que cubren el alrededor de playas y bosques nacionales hasta la caza ilegal de tortugas se puede ver que estos problemas son interminables.
Espero que con este curso en el extranjero podamos aprender más sobre lo que podemos hacer a diario para tratar de conservar nuestros ecosistemas tropicales. Al igual que ayudara a aumentar la conciencia y solidificar nuestra comprensión de los efectos que el calentamiento global tiene en nuestros arrecifes de coral.
  • Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Updates

1
  • IT'S OFFICIAL! I AM NOW A CERTIFIED OPEN WATER DIVER!

    IT'S OFFICIAL! I AM NOW A CERTIFIED OPEN WATER DIVER!
    During the month of December I spent the majority of my free time in the water. I was super excited when our instructor said that our pool session was going to be on the beach and not on an actual pool. It was thrilling to learn about the equipment, how to set it up, and what each of the parts does. The first two dives we performed were in La Punta el Escambron, San Juan and with very low visibility since the waves were pretty big (~ 4ft). However, I got to see colorful fish as well as a sea turtle once we surfaced.

    The last two dives were in Crash Boat, Aguadilla and OH MAN! that was the most beautiful thing ever! It was as if I had eaten the shrinking cookies from Alice in Wonderland and had been dropped into an aquarium. The sunken pieces of the pier were covered with corals and all kinds of fish. We saw a puffer fish, seahorses, angel fish, A LION FISH, some crabs, a dead eel and lobster, HUGE SEA URCHINS, and a flying gunner.
    Overall, I loved the experience of learning a new sport and adopting it as one of my hobbies. Also, I am proud that I finished this course and was able to cross out something from my bucket list!

Adventure Registry

  • Go Pro Hero 3+ or Hero 4

    300
  • SCUBA Diving Gear

    400
    anonymous
    • Granted
  • Dive Computer

    200