[ad_1]
- University of Redlands – Palau Expedition ’24 Recap Part 2
By Marissa Dilmeang Spires
After their 2024 Palau Expedition, thirteen University of Redlands undergraduates returned to the United States to reminisce about their two weeks. To cap off their study abroad program, each student submitted a reflection and final project to Professor Stir, requiring them to apply their newfound knowledge to conduct independent research into Palau’s environment, culture, and society. Travel opens doors of opportunity and perspective for young people seeking a more immersive educational and cultural experience.
The Island Times highlights testimonies from two students on this year’s expedition:
Brandon Turk, a rising senior at the University of Redlands majoring in Human and Animal Studies and minoring in Environmental Studies, said, “Spending two weeks in Palau was a transformative experience. The most profound lesson I learned during my time there was how kind and gracious the people of Palau are in their way of life. I noticed that the locals smiled at everyone I passed everywhere I went. This simple act of kindness created a welcoming and warm atmosphere that felt so special. The sense of community and brotherhood among the locals was equally life-changing. I witnessed people go out of their way to help one another, showing a level of care and thoughtfulness that is rare in many parts of the world. These face-to-face connections and moments of kindness are what make Palau special. I was impressed by the genuine presence and compassion. This is a way of life that I hope to carry with me and share with others, reminding us all of the importance of being kind and truly being present with those around us.”
Demiah Barbosa is a rising junior in college, majoring in Business and Psychology with a minor in Public Policy. She shares, “The biggest inspiration for me from my experience in Palau is how welcoming and united the people are. It’s really inspiring and makes me appreciate Palau’s history even more.” Demiah was a college classmate of Marissa Spires, and the two have been close friends for two years. During their time together, Marissa had the opportunity to connect with Demiah’s family in California. In turn, she was excited to finally introduce Demiah to her family in Palau. The two friends cherish and will never forget the day they received their acceptance letters to the Palau Adventure Course, as they cheered in unison and were filled with excitement. Sharing memories and accomplishing new feats together in Palau has only brought them closer as friends and sisters, providing them with shared travel stories to remember for a lifetime.
Island Times also had the opportunity to connect with freshman Madison Eaton, who is participating in the 2023 Palau Expedition. Madison thoughtfully reminisced, “During my time surrounded by the beauty of Palau, many dreams have come true; meeting the current and former presidents of Palau, which was truly an honor, completing beach cleanups to improve livelihoods in communities and ecosystems, and diving in the pristine paradise of Micronesia.” Madison ran down a list of experiences she hopes to have, but admitted, “None of them compare to the soul-touching feeling of giant manta rays accepting you into their home.” While diving into the German Channel, my classmates, professors, dive masters, and I dove 75 feet underwater in hopes of seeing a manta ray. As we sat on the Pacific Ocean floor, our dive master pointed around and showed us a manta ray swimming by. As the first manta ray glided over my head, tears immediately welled up on my mask. It was so close to me that I could see the remora following behind its gills. Within five seconds, it was there again. There are no words to describe the satisfaction of knowing another creature was not afraid of my presence. In a world where most animals are afraid at the sight of humans, to be accepted into their home by a gentle giant meant so much. To me, it means that the damage and division of society’s artificial thought patterns have not yet completely reached a point of no return. While I have made it my life’s goal to heal the relationship between humans and animals by studying to be a marine biologist, I hope to unify the connection between living, breathing, loving creatures.”
The 24-year saga of the University of Redlands Palau Expedition will continue under Professor Steller’s leadership, either annually or biennially, as the case may be. Faculty, staff, and students have created a highly successful program, with new connections and discoveries made with each visit. Being able to study different environments around the globe helps increase students’ understanding of climate issues. The world may be big, but with this unique and impactful partnership between Redlands and Palau, the two communities are intertwined to show just how small the world can be.
related
[ad_2]
Source link
