By Inês Sequeira
Spending six weeks on the tiny paradise island of Gili Air, Indonesia, was more than just a marine conservation experience; it shaped both my academic path and the way I see the world.
I’m originally from Portugal, from a place where opportunities in marine biology always felt limited. Growing up, I often thought I was too small to make a real difference in something as big as ocean conservation. I loved the sea, I cared deeply about animals, but I never quite imagined I could be part of something that mattered. Joining Gili Shark Conservation changed that.
When I joined the project, I was a second-year Zoology student at the University of Exeter in the UK, full of curiosity about the marine world and dreaming of a future in marine biology. I came to learn, to dive, and to contribute to real-world conservation and I left with so much more.
Over the course of the programme, I completed several diving and marine biology certifications, including the PADI Scientific Diver, Sea Turtle Ecology and Monitoring, Shark Ecology and Population Studies, and the Ecological Monitoring Programme by Conservation Diver. These weren’t just course titles, they were ways into the underwater world, giving me the tools to understand and protect marine life in ways I didn’t know before.
Each dive taught me something new. I remember floating above a reef, slate in hand, as a turtle calmly cruised past me. I wasn’t just observing, I was part of the ecosystem, part of a community working to protect it. Later that day, while doing the turtle ID, we discovered that this turtle hadn’t been recorded on the programme yet, it was a new individual. I had the chance to name it after myself.
But what made this experience truly unforgettable wasn’t just the diving or the science, it was the people. I met some of the most inspiring, warm-hearted, and open-minded individuals I’ve ever encountered. We came from all over the world, united by a shared passion for the ocean, and we quickly became more than a team; we became a family.
The local community welcomed us with open arms, smiles, and generosity that still warms my heart. Gili Air felt like home. Whether it was the long walks around the island or listening to music under the stars, I realised that the island wasn’t just a place, it was a way of life. Slower, simpler, more connected.
Leaving was the hardest part. I remember my last day, lots of hugs, and the feeling that I was saying goodbye to a chapter I didn’t want to end. But the truth is, it hasn’t ended. Gili Air has become a part of me, and I know I’ll be back, this time, not as a visitor, but as someone who wants to build a life connected to the ocean and this beautiful community.
This project didn’t just prepare me for a career in marine biology, it reminded me why I chose this path in the first place. It gave me practical skills, lifelong friendships, and a new perspective on what it means to protect our planet.
Thank you, Gili Shark Conservation, for everything. I came for the science, but I left with a heart full of gratitude and a clear vision for my future.
