Shimah Kills You, I mean It.
Dive briefing with fellow reef builders
Dead turtles - possibly the smelliest thing known to man
Building ARC Units
Weighing marine debris after sorting
With the ARC unit’s underwater
Environmental Education Outreach
Shimah, staff and volunteers at Tracc
The past 6 months has been an eye opening for me, an ordinary aquaculture student who was wondering around applying for internship vacancy. I applied few places but Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC) is on top of my chart. It’’s a non - government organization who utilize volunteers, students and tourist in restoring the destroyed coral reef. I work hard, very hard in answering all the interview questions, it was pretty intensive I would say😅 I did not put high hope- That is why the moment I received the email of their acceptance, I valiantly attempt to calm down and gather my thoughts.
HOLY CRAP- I’M GOING TO TRACC !
It is a smooth journey upon arrival since they already explain everything to the smallest detail that I need to know. But even before I’ve got accepted to be part of TRACC, I have this negative hunch in my head “What if they don’t like me because I’m a muslim?” “Because I’m we hijab (head scarf)” “or simply because I am fat and ugly and not suited in diving field” LOL! SCRATCH THAT!!!! Everyone was very friendly- I mean everyone! The staff, the local Bajau staff, the volunteers even Moonson and Joey (loveeee them!) are very friendly, warm and welcoming. During my acclimatization period the staff help me a lot. I never feel lonely for they always checking up on me-in no time I already feel home. Thank you <3
Facility and food! The island life is soooo much better than what I have expected (from all the reading and interview questions). I know I’ll be staying in tent, but I DIDN’T KNOW MY TENT COME WITH A BED AND A FAN! I was so grateful that I was crying because I am physically and mentally prepared to sleep on the ground (for six months)😂. They also have a proper shower, toilet (with water pipe!!). The dive equipment also well managed, the whole 6 months of my stay I never have safety issue regarding my diving equipment that I borrowed from TRACC. Food is always served deliciously on time. Thank you Kak Neng :) I feel loved and life is so convenient at TRACC I would say compared to what I have been prepared and expecting.
I also earned my Advance Open Water diving license to the courtesy of TRACC as it is also included in their intern sponsorship. I check out with more than 130 dive after 6 months working there. Gotta say working dives helps a lot in practicing my buoyancy. I love doing my working dives!! It feel so rewarding after you did something for the ocean :)
I also learned a lot of new knowledge while staying at TRACC such as fish id, coral form id and invertebrate id. What I like about TRACC is they don’t simply do something without knowing why- This goes to my science director, science officer and camp manager. I like how all the conservation activity is monitored and recorded -before, on going and after the restoration activity. I also learn good working ethics while working with different background of people there, not only it broaden my perspective but I also learn to to look from different view and most important thing is, I learn to live in more sustainable way. NO STRAW. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!
It is so thoughtful of TRACC for willing to spend money on Malaysian internship program. I think this is a very good way to spread the marine conservation awareness among Malaysian. For instance me myself did not come from the marine background, so thus my friend, when I posted pictures about all the conservation project I did at TRACC it is always become the talk of my friends, they always been curious but never exposed to the marine conservation project- I explained to them and they started to understand fir instance not using plastic straws is not just a trend nowadays but also for a good course, I hope I did my part well.
Its safe to say life at TRACC is the highlighted part of my life. I wished that there were another word that held more weight than " thank you" because I would have used it for this opportunity of a lifetime
Rock Stars
Shimah’s presentation on her time at Tracc is available on our GoogleDrive here. To apply for a sponsored Malaysian internship or to join us as a volunteer please submit a contact form here.