Hello again! 🙂 I am excited to be writing my second blog post about my experience so far in the Global Service-Learning program, especially now that I have a deeper understanding of the organization my team and I are working with and the impact our project could have on their community. I am also really looking forward to the in-country portion of this program and everything that will come with it as well.

The organization we are partnered with is Nature Seekers, which is based in Matura, Trinidad, and focuses on both environmental conservation and community development. My overall impression of Nature Seekers is that they are a very important part of their community, not only because of the work they do to protect the environment, but also because of the way they bring people together and create meaningful opportunities for local residents. From what I have learned so far, it seems like they have truly helped strengthen the sense of community in Matura while also promoting long-term sustainability. One of the most impressive things about Nature Seekers is their success in eliminating turtle poaching entirely. What was once a major issue in the area has now been reduced to 0%! This is a huge accomplishment and really highlights both their dedication and their ability to create lasting change within the community. In addition to conservation efforts, they have also created jobs through ecotourism, which is especially important in a rural area where opportunities can be limited, allowing people to remain in their community rather than having to leave to find work elsewhere.

Their vision is centered around creating an environmentally friendly community where people have the skills and training needed to work together while generating sustainable livelihoods, and their mission focuses on protecting wildlife (specifically the leatherback sea turtle) while also developing the natural and cultural resources of the community. I think both of these ideas show that they are not just focused on short-term goals but are truly invested in long-term success and stability for the people who live there. For our project, my team is working on creating a training program focused on grant writing and project management, with the goal of providing community members with tools and knowledge they can use to create their own initiatives and secure funding. This is important because it supports continued growth within the community while also encouraging independence, allowing individuals in Matura to take initiative and create opportunities for themselves and others rather than relying solely on outside assistance.

During the in-country portion of the program, my team hopes to accomplish several things, with one of our main goals being to build a stronger relationship with Nature Seekers by meeting them in person and working together more directly. We have already done a lot of preparation, but being able to have face-to-face conversations and receive real-time feedback will be extremely helpful in refining our project and making sure it truly meets their needs. Another important goal is getting to know members of the community on a more personal level, since this will help us better understand their perspectives and ensure that our training activities are both engaging and relevant. By having these interactions and observing daily life, we will be able to create something that feels more tailored and meaningful rather than overly general or disconnected from their actual experiences. In addition, I am especially interested in learning more about communication styles in Trinidad, since we have heard that slang and informal language play a big role in everyday interactions. Being able to understand and adapt to this will help us connect more effectively, and I think it will also make our transition from a more formal client relationship to a genuine partnership feel more natural.

When it comes to cultural norms, I am not expecting many major challenges, but I do think there may be some differences that we will need to adjust to, particularly when it comes to the pace of life. In the United States, we are very used to a fast-paced environment where schedules are strict and efficiency is prioritized, whereas life in Trinidad, especially in a smaller community like Matura, seems to be more relaxed and flexible. I do not necessarily see this as a negative thing or even a true challenge, but it is something that may require a shift in mindset, especially in situations involving meetings, planning, or completing tasks. Rather than viewing this difference as a problem, I think it is important to remain open-minded and adaptable, recognizing that different approaches to time and productivity can still be effective in their own way.

One of the class readings that has impacted me the most so far is “Building an Ethical Partnership,” which focuses on the importance of respect, collaboration, accountability, and mutual understanding when working with communities. This reading feels especially relevant to our experience because this program is not just about completing a project, but about working alongside Nature Seekers in a way that is meaningful and respectful to both parties. A key takeaway for me from this reading is the idea that partnerships should be mutually beneficial, since we are learning from Nature Seekers just as much as they are gaining from our project. This has made me more aware of the importance of listening carefully, being respectful of their needs, and ensuring that what we create is actually useful and aligned with their goals, rather than simply assuming what would be best.

Overall, I am feeling very excited as we get closer to traveling to Trinidad, especially because I am looking forward to meeting everyone in person, experiencing a different culture, and seeing firsthand the impact that Nature Seekers has on their community. I am also excited to step outside of my comfort zone again, since that is something that has helped me grow a lot in the past and continues to shape who I am. This experience is very different from anything I have done before, particularly because it combines travel with a long-term service project, which adds a deeper level of purpose to the experience. I think it will challenge me in new ways while also helping me build important skills like communication, adaptability, and teamwork, all of which will be valuable moving forward.

I am really grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program, and I am excited to see how both the project and my personal growth continue to develop throughout the rest of the semester.