This blog post was written by Global Gap Fellow, Kimberly Banda Maldonado.
For my first placement, I came to Veracruz, Mexico, to volunteer at a turtle conservation project on one of the first Blue Flag-certified beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. The organization also focuses on reforestation, environmental education, and beach-cleaning campaigns.
Most mornings, I walk to the beach to take photos of its surroundings for a geographical project studying environmental changes and the impact of weather. Before any groups arrived or we started the reforestation project, the other volunteers and I would make breakfast together—pancakes, omelets, and plenty of quesadillas—to kick off the day.
I’ve met many people, both locals and foreigners, from places like Canada, Germany, and the U.S. This experience has pushed me to brush up on my translation skills for those who couldn’t speak Spanish or English. It definitely helped me become more social and step out of my comfort zone as I interacted with a variety of people.
My favorite moment was watching people interact with the baby turtles for the first time as they released them back into the sea, seeing the tiny turtles wiggle across the sand toward the water. I also cherished the times I tried (and failed) to learn how to swim with a fellow volunteer. I’ll miss waking up early to brush my teeth while watching the sunrise.
Adjusting to a new environment and tackling unfamiliar tasks was tough, but it taught me so much about myself.