Sant'Anna Institute Sorrento, Fall 2019
Challenges
Language Barrier
Although in general the staff could speak English, they still conducted a lot of their work in Italian, particularly communication in group chats. Additionally, many of the people we interacted with during our shifts didn't speak English, soit was important for me to memorize particular phrases. For example "questa è una area marina protetta." However, this made the internship a great place to learn, as the staff was very helpful and supportive.
Self Confidence
A side effect of the culture shock, I found myself struggling to believe in my own capabilities in both my internship and everyday life. This made me second guess every task I was given,and it was very difficult to get things done at the beginning of the semester. I didn't feel like I deserve this amazing opportunity, since I was surrounded with such amazing and inspiring people. However, with the support of my friends and collegues, I was able to get out of my comfort zone and surprise myself with what I could accomplish.
Physically Demanding
I knew that this internship would be physically demanding since the interview stage, but it didn't sink in until the first day in Ieranto Bay for training. That day, and all of the field work days that followed, was full of fun and tiring activties such as hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. It was a non-stop full-body workout, and by the end of the day I was always mentally and physically drained. However, they were also the most rewarding work days, and it allowed me to become a stronger person in more ways than one.
Skills Developed
Adaptability
Because a lot of our work was weather-dependent, it was important to stay aware and be open to changing plans. One day, we were supposed to do a trash clean-up by kayak on the other side of Punta Penna and then kayak into Ieranto Bay for the rest of the work day. However, we realized too late that the sea was too rough. We had to navigate back to Marina del Cantone, hike up to Nerano, and back down to Ieranto to continue the day, which put us very behind schedule. Although it was scary, tiring, and a little frustrating, by keeping a good attitude we were able to adjust and move forward with a new plan.
Independence
During my time monitoring sea turtle nests, one of the Italian women spoke to us about the importance of being independent and self-sufficient, especially as a female in a foreign country. Although at first I thought she was being rude, I couldn't stop thinking about what she had said, as my ability to work and live in Italy depended on my own capabilities. Whether it was staying motivated to do my work, researching trips, or going to the store alone, I had to learn to rely on myself. This helped me to discover how much I could actually accomplish, and I surprised myself.
Interpersonal Skills
Before coming here, I would describe myself as an introverted person, and I was always nervous about meeting new people. By moving across the world, I realized that everyone is a new person, and I would be very lonely if I didn't make the effort to connect. My coworkers really helped with this process, as they were very welcoming to me both at work and at the weekly cultural night events. I am now more confident in meeting new people, even if I do so in bad Italian.
Future Goals
Going foreward, I graduate in May, and I need to start making decisions about what I'm going to do after. My experiences abroad and with this internship have helped me discover and grow my goals and interests. I am applying for a position with the Peace Corps in the Phillipines as a coastal resource management volunteer, and many of the responsibilities are similar to those working with Project MARE. Alternatively, it has solidified my idea of pursuing a masters in some field of conservation biology. I am also modeling my senior thesis on what I've learned here, trying to complete a comparative analysis of coastal resource management in the US and Italy.