Bermuda Shipwreck Ecology: coral reef scuba study!

Emma Wilkinson Start Date: Feb 18, 2020 - End Date: Jun 1, 2020
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad

My Travel Story

by: Emma Wilkinson Start Date: Feb 18, 2020 - End Date: Jun 1, 2020
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
This trip is an educational experience lead by faculty Dr. Barbara Blonder and Dr. Terri Seron, two published scientists and extremely supportive mentors. I will spend the week in Bermuda along with a group of classmates scuba diving to explore and study pristine coral reefs and shipwrecks. I will choose my own research topic to explore while I'm there relating to reef fish and coral abundance and diversity. When not underwater I will be learning from mentors at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, which is a partner institution to Flagler College. On top of all these educational experiences, I will have opportunities to explore the island's natural beauty and culture.

This experience will be hugely beneficial to my science career by introducing me to scientists and research programs in other countries and will provide me with invaluable hands-on undergraduate research experience. Coral reefs are the rainforests of the ocean and studying the incredible ecological functions and variety of life associated with them will help me learn how important they are to our environment. On top of the educational value, this trip will allow me to work closely with and learn from established scientists.

I am passionate about this opportunity to study coral reefs because they are increasingly endangered ecosystems due to a changing climate. I am excited about the meaningful connections I will make with scientists in Bermuda and the doors this study abroad will open in my future career.

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I'm a second-year Coastal Environmental Science student at Flagler College in St. Augustine FL.

My first two years at Flagler have been amazing and I have delved into undergraduate field research. I have assisted in a variety of projects including cataloging of our local dolphin population, volunteering with the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve to monitor the nekton fish community in the Intracoastal Waterway, and local water quality sampling/lab analyses.

I never say no to a research opportunity and studying abroad in Bermuda is an exciting chance to use my PADI dive certification to learn more about our oceans and reef ecosystems.

In the future, I hope to attend graduate school for a master's degree and possibly a Ph.D. to continue my study of the interactions between humans and the ocean in our coastal environments. I am particularly interested in how coastal environments are affected by and adapting to climate change.

Updates

4

  • Travel Video

    Make sure you watch my travel video on the top of the page if you haven't already!

  • Thank You!

    Thank You!
    I had a great time visiting family and friends in Chicago for my birthday, thank you for the donations and birthday wishes!

More Travel Information

Adventure Registry

  • Study Abroad Scholarship

    2,750
    Flagler College Sponsor
    • Granted