2 Weeks on Kefalonia Island, Greece, saving sea turtles

Anyone who has the opportunity to spend their time abroad in summer is incredibly lucky. I was one of those individuals.

My choice to spend two weeks, independently in Greece, learn about the risks amongst sea turtles and meet some of the most genuine people from across the world is something I will never take for granted.

The funding supplied by Global Opportunities allowed me to go through with this incredible journey after learning about this opportunity from a friend. When I was first met with the idea, my initial instinct was how amazing it would be. A Greek island, sea turtles, incredible scenery, something that I was eager to go to.

However, I was also conflicted with the constant ‘What if?’……

What if I don’t like it?

What if I miss home too much?

What if it’s nothing like I imagine it to be?

Despite my worries, booking that plane ticket and building up the courage to go, led to it being everything I imagined it to be, if not more.

There were many highlights of my trip such as: seeing a relocation of a turtle nest, where the eggs from one nest were transferred to a safer location; early morning sunrises when patrolling the beaches for turtle tracks; and the simple sight of seeing a Loggerhead Sea turtle at the breathtaking harbour.

Global Opportunities was incredibly supportive throughout the process offering pre-departure sessions and additional information to aid me before I was set to go. Cardiff University also offered me funding for this trip. Without this help, I would not have been as likely to go ahead with the trip.

The beauty of the island and the memories that were made during my time on the trip will be looked back upon for the rest of my life.

I truly recommend going to volunteer somewhere abroad, especially a programme such as this one where they offer shorter durations for those who prefer to not be away for too long. Two weeks was the perfect time for me. I hope anyone who can, chooses an opportunity like this.

Be that individual!

Becca Muscat
ENCAP –  BA English Language and Linguistics, Year 2