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.
Months passed after my application and I was finally on the boat to Tengah Island, Mersing. The doubts and worries that I have carried from home disappeared as soon as I stepped off the boat. The pristineness of the island and the facilities of the conservation center are as good as it can be. With the staff quarters equipped with a fully functional washing machine, water heater, and refrigerators as well as 3 buffet meals provided every day, the living conditions are so much more luxurious than I expected. That is one doubt taken care of. Moving on to the working environment, any tiredness from my training and work was to dissipate once I sat in the office that faces the vast blue pool of crystal-clear seawater. The existing staff and volunteers welcomed and greeted the new interns with the most cheerful smile. Aiman and Izzat, my industrial training supervisor, gave their most in guiding us despite their tight schedules and our repetitive mistakes.
Three weeks into my internship, I have already gained a lot of knowledge about conservation work and the challenges that come along. I have seen my first sea turtle nesting tracks, relocated my first sea turtle nest and released my first batch of sea turtle hatchlings. I am also getting closer to becoming a certified Reef Check Eco-Diver. I was taught to identify the indicator species for coral reef monitoring and the correct technique to carry out scientific dives. It hit me that littering in the ocean has serious consequences when I see the immense amount of garbage by some beaches. TIC is tackling this issue well by conducting weekly beach clean-ups and occasional underwater clean-ups. I have had the chance to participate in coral restoration as well where I experienced making coral biscuits and deploying them in designated areas. I get to polish my soft skills as my training requires giving educational talks
Coral restoration requires great diving skills where one should have great control over their buoyancy.
Although it is not part of the Reef Check Eco-Diver Course, I will always remember my supervisor’s sayings: ‘It’s okay if you’re not an eco-diver, as long as you are a decent diver.
In such a short span of time, I was able to learn so much about different areas of conservation and have so much fun while doing so. I am surrounded by people who are always positive and there has never been a day that is dull when spent with them. I do hope to achieve more as my internship journey continues.
Now that my internship has come to an end:
I guess it’s true when people say life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Having spent 4 years in my university, I could say that I have gained at least some reputation from being involved in most of the activities held on campus. Familiar faces are everywhere wherever I go. For too long, I have not met new people. For too long, I have been comfortable with what I was doing to the point that I stopped exploring new things. And for too long, I haven’t seen growth and changes in myself. All of that changed when I started my internship with Tengah Island Conservation (TIC). Doing my internship with TIC has shaped me into a better, if not a new person. Though it cannot be seen from the outside, I know for a fact that I have changed in many ways and it’s for the greater good.
From the early morning survey dives to the late evening nest excavations, I have become more crucial in managing my time since the tasks in a day should be completed as scheduled. As most dives here usually start at 9, the team had to be ready at least half an hour before that. This includes preparing the survey tools, making sure the tanks have enough air, and getting my own gears organized. Speaking of diving, TIC has polished my diving skills to a whole new level. Reef survey, seagrass survey, coral restoration, coral monitoring, coral cleaning, or coral relocation. Be it any of that, my buoyancy and breathing improved with every dive. Participating in such varieties of activities has familiarized me with the teeming marine life underwater and made me more confident whenever I descend into the massive blue pool.
I was able to experience the sweetness of witnessing the outcome from my hard work. Going on a boat patrol in search of sea turtle eggs at 7 in the morning is not the most ideal way to begin your day, especially when you have a great deal of work ahead of you. I managed to find a sea turtle nest on my own and even located the eggs at the right spot during one of the patrols. I guess I did feel proud knowing that I am capable of doing this and my training did not go into waste. Watching those hatchlings make their way into the sea and knowing that I have done my part in helping them felt like an accomplishment.
When it comes to working with people, a positive work ethic plays a major role. You get to learn a lot when you are willing to listen and accept opinions from others, especially from those who are experienced. I was lucky to be surrounded by great people (volunteers, interns, supervisors, resort staff) during my time here. They are all experts in their own field, and they have never hesitated to share their knowledge. It was always laughter and jokes with them but they do keep it professional when it’s work.