Settling into life on a marine conservation placement
Starting a placement in a new environment is always an exciting experience, and my first week at the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation was all about settling in, getting to know my surroundings, and preparing for the work ahead.
Over the next eight months, I will be spending my time learning about marine conservation and working towards my own research project. But before getting started with the science, there were a few things to learn first!
Arriving at Archipelagos
My first day began with arriving at Archipelagos and being shown around the base. Having a tour was a great way to familiarise myself with the facilities and get an idea of what life here would look like.
After the tour, I had the rest of the day off to unpack, settle in, and get comfortable in my new surroundings.
It was exciting to finally arrive and begin this new chapter. Although I knew there would be plenty to learn, I was looking forward to finding out more about the work carried out here and what the next eight months would have in store.
Back to Studying!
On Tuesday, I officially started working towards the requirements for my placement by beginning to study for the marine mammal test.
The test is an important step in getting started with the marine mammal side of the work, so much of my first week was spent going through the material and preparing for it.
I continued studying on Wednesday and Thursday, trying to take in as much information as possible before the test on Friday.
Of course, life at Archipelagos isn’t all studying! On Tuesday evening, I headed to the bar to watch the darts tournament, which was a nice opportunity to relax and spend time with everyone.
On Thursday, I also walked to Kampos, another base, and completed my dinner rota. These everyday responsibilities are part of life here, and getting involved has been a good way to settle into the routine.
A Small Setback
Friday was test day!
After spending several days studying, I was ready to give it a go. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass on my first attempt.
Although it was disappointing, I knew I would have another opportunity to try again. It also gave me a better idea of how much more I needed to revise, so I decided to keep studying over the weekend.
Alongside the test, Friday also involved the weekly base clean and room checks. After a busy day, I went to the bar for a DJ night, which was a welcome chance to switch off for a while.
Exploring the Local Area
After a busy first few days, Saturday was a chance to relax and catch up on some studying at my own pace.
On Sunday, I had a slower morning before completing the lunch rota. Later, I headed to Kokkari to do some shopping and stayed out for dinner.
Getting out and exploring the local area was a nice change from spending time studying at the base. It’s also been enjoyable to start getting familiar with the places around me and find a balance between work and free time.
Looking Ahead
My first week was a mixture of settling in, studying, and getting used to a new routine. Although I didn’t pass the marine mammal test on my first attempt, I finished the week knowing what I needed to work on.
I’m looking forward to another week of learning, giving the test another go, and hopefully getting one step closer to beginning my research.
There is still plenty to learn, but this is only the beginning of my journey at Archipelagos!
Stay tuned for next week’s update, where I’ll share how I got on with the test and take you through the start of my research project.
