A Newfound Appreciation for Science: 2023 Maldives Trip
In early May of this year, the DP ES&S and Biology classes departed to Fulhadhoo Maldives, for an educational trip! To say this trip was amazing is truly an understatement, and nothing can put to words the beauty and experiences we shared on this trip that I was so lucky to be apart of.
I had always just envisioned the Maldives to be touristy, luxury resort islands, but had never really taken into consideration locals and where they live, which is why, staying on Fulhadhoo, an island with over 500 residents was the first thing to really alter my perspective on the Maldives. Along with visiting neighboring islands, and Hullmalle, I was able to gain such an insight into the Maldivian people, and discover how kind, welcoming and appreciative everyone there is.
Throughout the trip, we took part in activies like snorkelling, swimming, paddleboarding, and collecting data on underwater corals. Each of these experiences was once that required collaboration, in one form or another, and especially between the 2 Biology and ESS classes, where sometimes, tensions can soar a little high. The nature and wildlife scene of the Maldives is one that is commonly heard, but rightfully so, as I am struggling to capture it simply in words. Nature here, is in its truest, finest, most pristine form, and for me, the I immediately became aware of the connection between nature and, myself as an individual. Throughout the days I continually was amazed at what our planet can do, and what it can create, which also led me into thinking how we can hurt something so amazing.
Our visit to Soneva Fushi, a sustainable resort island in Baa Atoll was an encapsulating experience where we learned about how they recycle and repurpose almost all the waste they produce. Be it food waste into compost, glass bottles into new glasses, plastic waste into cool keychains and trinkets, or evern their own nature-friendly mosquito traps, the way they managed to turn waste and function it into a system was inspiring, but also de-motivating to realise what happens when this is not done; and the damage to the earth.
One of the greatest gifts we recieved on this trip was Sendhi, our guide, and one of the most knowlegable people regarding diving and ecolodgy in the maldives. Through him, we learnt of the evolution and how Maldives came to exist, all about the diversity on Fulhadhoo Island, and aboiut corals and coral reefs. We joined efforts in restoring corals at the Fulhadhoo coral garderns, and witnessed firsthand amazing wildlife; including dolphins, turtles, eels, stingrays, parrot fish….
Witnessing coral in many ways was one of the highlights of the trip. We firstly encountered bleached coral, and then coral being restored in plugs and on metal frames, and thriving reefs around the island we snorkelled on. One of the most valuable experiences was witnessing night corals; glowing under and UV light, and snorkelling through this fluorescent lit coral reef and all the wildlife surrounding it.
The valuable experiences were priceless, both in the water and out. During our stay on Hullmale, just outside of Male, we had the amazing oppurtunity to meet with former President Mohamed Nasheed, an ex- OSC student, and now the peoples representative of the Maldives. Our meeting covered many topics including the sustainability of Maldives as a country, protecting its biodiversity, and tourism and the economy. Gathering Mr. Nasheeds unique and valuable perspectives on the matter was also a key part of the meeting, and left me with many important ideas to takeaway.
Overall, I think its safe to say, this was one of the most amazing trips I have ever been on- both experience and education wise. The knowledge and perspective I have been able to gain on the world from doing so is priceless, and the experiences I have seen and witnessed are ones that I will really, never forget.