by Alena
I’ve been working as a social worker in Vienna for about ten years now. I really enjoy my job — even though it can be quite hard at times, it’s rewarding to know that your actions can truly make a difference in someone’s life.
And that, I realized, is the one thing that connects my life in Vienna with my six weeks on Gili Air: it’s all about making a difference. Taking action to make things a little bit better.
When I decided to join this program, I couldn’t really imagine what my days would look like, what I would learn, or how deeply I would dive into these topics.
As an Austrian, my connection to the ocean wasn’t very strong — I grew up more in the mountains than by the sea. A few years ago, I started diving and fell in love with the underwater world, but still, I only dived once a year, usually on vacation.
And then the Gili Shark Conservation happened…
Suddenly I found myself sitting on this tiny island in Indonesia, and all the worries of “Vienna-Alena” lost their importance.
My days were filled with marine life — learning how to protect and care for corals, and how to improve my diving skills. I learned how to tie knots and when to use each one.
I listened to presentations about sharks and turtles, learned how to measure them, and how to take useful photos for conservation work.
Now I understand how tides work, how to read currents, and I can name more fish than I ever thought I could — sometimes even without words!
It’s a completely different life, yet one big similarity stands out: communication. Whether underwater or on land, communication isn’t about language — it’s about being seen and understood.
Then there was the work with the Blue Marlin Dive Shop, where we supported the instructors.
Taking care of people who were just starting their diving journey taught me a lot about how to build confidence, offer support, and stay calm — and it reminded me of my work back home. There it was again: the similarity with my Vienna life. Looking after people, letting them make their own mistakes, but being there to help before it gets dangerous. Encouraging them and letting them have their own adventure.
Somehow, I’m still the same person — and yet, I’ve grown so much.
