3 Weeks into My Internship at Tengah Island Conservation (TIC) - Henry Yap

It was the last few weeks of my final semester when my supervisor gathered the class for our internship briefing. As a Marine Biology student, the first thing that came to everyone’s mind was to do their internship on an island and I, too, was planning to do the same. After some reading and discussion with my supervisor, I decided to apply for an internship at TIC. Their wide coverage of conservation work ranging from terrestrial mangrove restoration to underwater coral rehabilitation seemed like a great opportunity for me to begin my journey as a marine biologist.

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No One Will Tell You - Puteri Nur Al Aina

No one will tell you… 

That life is a journey full of unexpected twists and turns when you begin your internship at Tengah Island Conservation! 

Where should I begin?

Let’s say that we were among the luckiest interns, involved in many activities and programs during these four months as islanders.

The fresh air, the beautiful sound of waves, and the peaceful environment away from city life. You also get to see beautiful marine life, and yes, guys, just want to flex that I saw sea turtle and blacktip shark during my diving survey. 

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Unveiling Wonders: A Transformative Expedition Through the Tengah Island Conservation Experience - Rahman Syahputra Syafruddin

Greetings! My name is Rahman Syahputra, and I'd like to  share my journey as a conservation intern at Tengah Island Conservation over the past few weeks. It all began on August 6th, when my fellow interns and I set foot on Tengah Island with a sense of excitement and purpose.  Our arrival was greeted by the mesmerizing sight of juvenile blacktip reef sharks gracefully gliding near the jetty.

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Conservation Quest: My Epic Internship Adventure - Siti Zarifah Aqilah

Who would've thought luck would lead me to the extraordinary journey of Nature's Nouveau at Tengah Island Conservation? As my feet landed on Tengah Island, everything unfolded like a vibrant tapestry of new experiences—scenery, people, food, and facilities surpassed my wildest expectations. Gratitude filled me as part of this incredible team, in a place beyond perfection. To seize every moment, I pledged to contribute fervently to our environment, particularly our oceans and planet. Thus, my spirited adventure commenced in the heart of Johor Marine Park!

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TAKING A GIANT STRIDE INTO A NEW WORLD - CHUA XIN NING

Just 20 minutes off Mersing and civilization seems a world away… (fear not! There was still access to the internet and local phone networks – though intermittent at times) What can we do on an island that is just 3 km in circumference? The answer is a lot! Situated within the Johor Marine Park, Tengah Island Conservation (TIC) focuses mostly on conservation of sea turtles and coral reefs across 7 islands. It was a world of unknown for me as I had no prior knowledge on marine science and was purely interested in understanding what is happening in the conservation world – thank you to TIC for creating this platform for people from various backgrounds!

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Tengah Memoirs: Embracing New Beginnings - Alyssa Lim

A whirlwind of emotions and memories engulfs me as I reminisce about my 3 months here at Tengah Island Conservation. It has been a time filled with captivating landscapes, warm-hearted people, new experiences, and personal growth. In my blog, I aim to capture the essence of this remarkable place and invaluable knowledge I’ve learned along the way. So, join me on this virtual voyage as I share the moments that defined my time as an intern here!

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Create your own story? Just add water - Iskandar Hazlan

Some chapters are gloomy, some joyful and some very exciting. But if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter holds. “Sun, Sea, Salt… Life on an island is tough” that’s what I thought in the first place. However, it turns out wrong. It has been the greatest chapter that I have ever created in my Book of Life. 

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Island Reflections: Embracing Nature, Finding Strength - Nur Baiti Azizi

When I got off the boat, I felt both excited and unsure about my decision. The plants and animals on this island seemed to have secrets waiting to be discovered. Then, I realized that living on the island was a different world. As a city dweller, I had to adapt to the limited resources and the absence of modern conveniences. On my first few days, I found myself feeling out of place. But soon, I discovered the warmth and hospitality of my teammates that knew no bounds.

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3 Months Full of Memories and Experiences - Muhammad Aiman Farhan

Sad, frustrated, and almost got my heart broken in my final days with Tengah Island Conservation (TIC) in Pulau Tengah, Mersing. I will always remember everything I have done, learned and memories that were created together on this beautiful island. Having a refreshing sunrise every morning, fantastic scenery every dawn, and the beautiful clear blue water every day made me realize that three months of staying here was not enough. 

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LET'S GET STURTLED: Ali on Pulau Tengah - Alice Leonardi

Pulau Tengah welcomes you with its crystal water, with baby sharks swimming in, as soon as you set your first foot on the dock.

First thought is for sure “am I really so lucky to be here?”. Second, of course, “let’s start exploring”.

So, facts are: you’re on an incredible island, accommodated at the Ranch which is a big open-air living room surrounded by nature and equipped with comfortable rooms for everyone. The sea is 30 steps away. And you’ve just arrived, to learn and help and share, and create your own adventures…

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Vitamin S every day: Sea, Sun, Sand, Shore, Scenic, and Sea turtle - Chong on Pulau Tengah

Hi there! My name is Chong, and this is my internship experience in Tengah Island Conservation. Since it was announced that I am required to find an internship to complete my degree in Marine Science after 2 years lockdown in Malaysia due to pandemic Covid-19, I had already decided that I wanted to find a placement that would allow me to do more field work in nature…..

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IN THE THICK OF IT: Arina at Pulau Tengah

2021, roller-coaster ride indeed! Accepted as an intern with TIC for a solid 5 months, it was unbelievable! Met new people, developing new skills and getting involved with diversity of projects here has eventually prepared me for my future career. Diving skills has improved from zero to hero with endless intensive training by our certified Divemsater (DM) Nur Aiman Suhaimi and Izzat Hakimi A’rizu….

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Izzat Hakimi
Field Assistant: A New Beginning

A year have passed, and now its May 2021. After finishing my intern in November 2020 with TIC, it is on February 21st, that I was officially accepted into the team, working as a full-time field assistant on the island. Feeling grateful for the opportunity given, I was very excited to start my career journey as soon as I can! As a field assistant, my roles included conducting surveys and collecting various data for TIC projects, supervising interns and volunteers in all aspects, managing social media and networks, supporting TIC special needs, as well as educating the guests, staff and local people….

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Izzat Hakimi
Eileen's first few weeks at Tengah Island Conservation

The beginning of 2021 was a dream came true when I got accepted as Operations Coordinator with Tengah Island Conservation (TIC) on Pulau Tengah. I had some reservation about my adjustment to the nature of work and isolated living lifestyle. Truth is... I am city girl who enjoys the luxuries of the "first world"; and spent nearly a decade in the corporate sector. However, a certain nagging thought developed the last few years - "...let's drop all the comforts behind, let's start giving back to Gaia, let's save some wildlife, save nature". Before I grew bold enough to take the plunge, I simply volunteered my time with various wildlife organizations, learning what conserving wildlife entails, learning about different species, meeting dedicated persons of their field. Over time, I realized …

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