Internship Reflections

Week 1 Reflection Task

Personal:
My first week in Samos has been a culture shock, to say the least. I’ve spent some time in
the Caribbean and Mexico, however, I have never been all the way across the Atlantic. When I
first imagined Greece, I imagined beautiful beaches and sunny days. Though there’s plenty of
this, Samos is also a struggling community with a much fewer amenities that I often take for
granted in the US. For example, I’m living in a hotel with no hot water, no AC, and several
insect infestations. This was definitely the most difficult initial challenge. However, I’ve become
much more accustomed to my surroundings in the last few days, and I’m learning to appreciate
each and every advantage that I’ve been given throughout my life. My favorite part of my first
week has been the people. The majority of the native Greek citizens that I have met are kind,
helpful, and funny. I’m excited to learn more about the day to day lives of those who live so far
from my home.

Professional:
There’s an incredible amount of multiculturism here at Archipelagos. I’m working with
people from The US, Greece, England, France, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Australia,
Scotland, Portugal, Italy and many more. I’ve never met people from so many different
countries, and I’m so excited for the opportunity to be able to work with them and bring skillsets
from all over the world together. However, there are definitely language and cultural differences
that create barriers between us. For example, everyone speaks English, but some better than
others. As a native English speaker, I find myself struggling to communicate with some of those
who are new to the language, especially on a professional level. However, I feel that I am
becoming more and more patient with this issue each day. I believe that if I can find ways to
break down so many language barriers and learn to communicate with those from all over the
world, then I’ll be able to communicate with anyone.

Week 2 Reflection Task

Personal:
My second week in Samos has been quite different than my first. When I first arrived, I
was a bit shocked at the living situations and nervous that I may not find my fit here at
Archipelagos. However, this week I have definitely found a solid groove, and I’m becoming
much more comfortable in my new home. I would definitely advise others in similar situations to
let go of the anxiety of trying new things and to let yourself step out of your comfort zones. The
conservation work that I am exposed to here is eye-opening. At home, I constantly read articles,
write papers, and contribute to lab experiments concerning environmental issues. However, in
Samos, I have been able to experience these issues and fight to make a difference first hand and
in person. I spend each day cleaning the beaches of plastic, logging data of marine mammals
during snorkeling expeditions, and personally discussing current issues with the locals of the
community. I’m learning skills in more active roles than I’m used to in school. I will be able to
use this experience in a long-term career to push myself to go out and gather information and
make a difference myself rather than working only behind the scenes. One unexpected situations
I have come across is my work with refugees. Before coming, I had no idea that I would be in
such close contact with those who have fled the dangers of their home country in a strive for a
better life. However, it turns out I’m sharing a hotel with roughly 60 refugees from Syria,
Pakistan, and Iran. I chat with the adults and play with the kids every time I walk out my door,
and I have even become involved in planning English lessons and fun activities for those who are
interested. In the US, much of the media shows refugees as a danger and a nuisance. However,
none of those I have met fit this description even slightly. They are kind, interesting, and
intelligent people. The horrors that they have experienced are unimaginable, yet they keep a
smile and positivity around them constantly. I am extremely humbled to be able to play a part in
their journey and help them as they transition to a new culture.

Professional:
There are several roles that I take on here at Archipelagos. I have joined the Media and
Communications team, as well as the Refugee Education team. I also contribute each day to
large projects such as macroplastic surveys, bird surveys, monk seal surveys, and eco-navigation
surveys. The main goal of Archipelagos is to not only collect and analyze data about wildlife in
Samos, but also to relay this information to the community in hopes to spark public action. As a
part of the Media and Communication team, I regularly think of new ways to grab the attention
of the public in an interesting and meaningful way. I use skills in photography and photoshop,
social media platforms, website design, as well as my experience in science and scientific
communication to keep the Greek community aware of the benefits Archipelagos brings to the
island as well as ways the people can play their own part in the environment protection efforts
around them. I also have played a major role in creating booklets, posters, and leaflets to
advertise fundraising efforts for the Institute’s the new marine mammal reguge and dolphin
sanctuary project.

Week 3 Reflection

Personal:
I would define culture as the unique customs and way of life that we learn from our
surroundings. It is a way to bring communities together with similar values and traditions that
keep our world diverse and interesting. In America, I have been exposed to many different
cultures, however, living abroad has immersed me an entirely new level of multiculturism. I’m
learning a great amount of things I’d never known before from this internship. The other interns
come from dozens of different countries, background, and cultures, some of which I have never
been exposed to. I’m learning about the major differences in education, government,
transportation, amenities, and language between the US and most European countries. In Greece,
driving is a luxury, yet I’ve been driving my own automatic car since I was 16 years old. In the
UK, universities are almost free, whereas we take out large student loans before each semester. I
constantly catch myself discussing certain language and slang that we use, yet other native
English speakers have never heard of. They even baffle over the fact that I’ve never heard of
some of popular European cheeses that I later realized are banned in the US. We use our cultural
differences to spark new and interesting conversations, always eager to learn new things that we
would never have known before coming together. My perceptions of other cultures and ways of
life are changing every single day as these immersions show me things I never could understand
unless I experienced them myself.
Professional:
As I become more adapted to the culture differences of Samos, I am now able to respond
to certain situations in a more diverse way than before. I have been forced out of my comfort
zone several times, yet I am now able to recognize different culturally appropriate reactions and
respond accordingly. While communicating with those from far different cultures than my own,
it can be difficult to collaborate effectively, however, my experience here has taught me certain
skills that I can now use. For example, when there is a language barrier, patience is incredibly
important. As long as both are as clear and simple as possible and work together without
frustration, communication can be very easy and effective. For someone interested in beginning
an internship within a culturally diverse setting, I would advise keeping a very open mind, pay
attention to everything around you, be patient and understanding, and never be afraid to step
outside your comfort zone, especially when you have the chance to try or learn something new.
There are thousands of incredible and diverse cultures around the world, and there’s few better
opportunities to truly immerse yourself in different ones than an internship abroad. My internship
in Greece has taught me an incredible amount of open-mindedness and gratefulness for things I
never thought I would have the opportunity to experience.

Week 4 Reflection

Personal:
Since I began my internship, I have definitely run into my fair share of problems. The
most abundant issue that I’ve run into is miscommunication. Language and culture barriers most
likely are the core of this issue, and sometimes it is unavoidable. However, there are several
approaches that could improve communication in a diverse workplace such as this. Though there
will always be some level of miscommunication, working together with patience and open-
mindedness will benefit everyone and help to solve this issue. The semester I have the
opportunity to work with a professor on his research project. It’s an amazing opportunity and
would be a great opportunity to gain experience in hands on research. However, it’s a difficult
decision since this would also take a large amount of my time, taking away from my studies.
Making a “pros” and “cons” list of this opportunity helps clear my head so that I may decide the
best course of action to take. I have been interested in research for a long time, and I know that
as long as I work hard and focus, I can experience the project while also keeping my grades up.

Professional:
The biggest gap that I currently combat is lack of diverse experiences. I have lived in
Texas my entire life, and I now attend university in Texas, only three hours from my home town.
I fear that this may cause issues for me in my professional career unless I branch out and see the
world from different views and work with people from other areas of the world. That is why I
believe this internship is so beneficial to me as I’m gaining experience in a place that is
completely new and out of my comfort zone. I have also experienced problematic situations in
this internship that have helped me to solve issues that are out of my control. For example, our
base is off the coast of Samos, and the nearest town is a 45 minute walk away. Due to this
seclusion, Wifi is very unpredictable, and it is often difficult to access the internet. This greatly
hinders my work as I can’t even check emails, conduct research for my projects, or update the
Institute’s website and social media. However, I have used what I can to be as productive as
possible even without internet access. While the internet is down, I go out on surveys to
photograph different teams, then I edit and caption these photos until I can post them later.
When analyzing an problem, I first take a step back and think of the situation as a whole. I never
make a decision before I know all aspects of the issue and consider each approach to solve it. I
believe this is the most important step during problem solving because it will result in a more
rounded and efficient solution than one that was rushed and poorly explored.

Week 5 Reflection

Personal:
While communicating with others, I feel most confident when the other person is
engaging and when I am knowledgeable on the subject. I am most uncomfortable in situations
where the other person is disinterested or closed-minded and when I don’t know enough about
the topic we’re discussing to be able to participate fully. The biggest communication issue that
I’ve encountered in my internship is language barrier. With so many different cultures and native
languages here, I often find that communication can be confusing or difficult. I have simply
learned to be patient and supportive especially with those who aren’t native English speakers. I
have noticed that many people in Greece communicate non-verbally much more bluntly. They
portray the way their feeling or their opinion much more obviously, whereas I am used to people
hiding their thoughts and emotions behind politeness. This has been a bit of a culture shock, but I
appreciate the honesty that they bring to all interactions.

Professional:
I have received indirect feedback much more often than direct feedback during my
academic career, however, one example of direct feedback I received was in a geologic intensive
writing class. I wrote several papers which were reviewed and edited by both my peers and my
professor. The feedback was both positive and negative but always beneficial. I especially found
blunt and sincere feedback the most helpful. I learned to write in a more clear and professional
way that I can use in any situation. Honest feedback, whether positive or negative, is very
valuable as none of us will ever reach perfection, but we all have strengths in certain areas that
we can pass on to others. Listening and learning from those around me will help me to become a
more rounded and resourceful person both professionally and personally. In the workplace, I
believe I sometimes need to be more confident and vocal with my thoughts. I also should keep
the open-mindedness that I often use while working with others. When I actively sought
feedback this week in my internship, I found some very useful tips from people who had
experience in areas that I am less familiar with. They used visuals and explanations that I could
clearly grasp and easily apply in my own work. When feedback is well delivered and honest,
there are endless ways we can improve in everything we pursue.

Week 6 Reflection

Personal:
In the United States, especially a city like the one I’m from, everyone lives a very fast
pace life. We’re constantly on the go and always searching for a new thing to do. It’s rare to
simply sit back and relax. There are both benefits and drawbacks to this way of life. For
example, an energetic routine can spark productivity and lead to many accomplishments.
However, when we constantly search for results and new projects to start, we forget to really
appreciate the things we accomplish. It’s important to step back and breathe before moving on.
Reflection and deliberation is vital in preventing a mindless and gratuitous life. I believe the
most valuable uses of my time include productivity, enjoyment, connection, and reflection. In
my perfect day, I would not sit idly by while the world turns around me. I would accomplish
something fruitful. However, I would also not do this simply for an end result. I would find joy
in each moment and connect with those around me. Afterwards, I would reflect on each aspect of
my day and appreciate both the easy and the difficult. I have noticed different uses of time than
this at my internship. For example, many around me either work apathetically each day, with
little motivation to make an impact with their time or obsess over a deadline without real
contemplation of their work. I believe a rich and rewarding life develops through a balance of
efficient productivity and joy and awareness in what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.

Professional:
During my internship, I’ve juggled many different responsibilities at one time. I’m
assigned to many different projects for Archipelagos including photography, written scientific
reports, and social media and website design. I also go on active assignments each day such as
refugee English lessons, microplastic surveys, eco-navigation surveys, bird surveys, and marine
mammal surveys to help with the major research projects that occur around Samos. I also write
weekly reflections of my time here. I also strive to experience the different social and cultural
differences in my host country, make the most of the opportunity of living abroad, and take
advantage of everything new around me. With so many requirements each day, I’ve learned to
manage my time resourcefully and efficiently. I decide what I want to accomplish by the end of
every day and communicate with my team and supervisors on how we’ll accomplish each task
together in the time given. My biggest time wasting habits that I fall into are small chats with co-
workers than can sometimes turn into long conversations. I believe it’s important to keep
communication prevalent in the workplace, however, occasionally I forget where I am and get
lost in a conversation. To reduce this, I can be aware of my time and keep conversations light
and short. Many times in my academic career, I have been forced to use my time to study for a
test or work on a project in place of other activities that I value. For example, this year I’ve
missed friends’ birthdays and family trips, lost my workout routine, and abandoned my sleep
schedule. All of these things are extremely important to me, and I believe they are very important
to a healthy lifestyle. However, sometimes time must be sacrificed in some areas in order to
accomplish goals in other areas. With more time to study, my grades skyrocketed, and I earned
an almost perfect GPA by the end of the year. Though I lost time in some important areas of my
life, my effort was greatly rewarded, and I was able to accomplish even more than I expected.
With thoughtful time management, I’ve been able to find a balance between all of the activities I
value.