My Journey of
Sustainable Global Learning and Lifestyle

I believe we all grew up with some love for the Earth or connection to nature within us. I grew up playing in the sand and tides of Folly Beach, South Carolina. So myself and those I grew up around have been “saving the turtles” for all our lives. Solar energy, utilizing alternatives for single use waste and wearing reef safe sunscreen were normal parts of our lives. Until recently, I never took into consideration things like the toxins and chemicals that I flush when I clean my toilet. Didn't think twice about the ingredients being washed down the drain when I wash my hair. I never thought of my shower as not ocean safe. When I crossed paths with this one product that brought these concerns to my attention and offered amazing results it led me to want to switch everything in my shower and on my counter top to a vegan/biodegradable alternative. Additionally this is something I could teach many people how to use and amplify a positive environmental impact in many lives. Because when it comes to sustainability, every individual’s actions are significant to the betterment of our environment. Sophmore year, sustainability started to consume my life and became what I am known for and who I am.

4 short months later I was offered a scholarship to study abroad in the Galápagos Islands. One of the classes in this program was Sustainable Tourism. Sustainable Tourism is the welcoming of tourists to a destination without depleting any of its natural resources or cultural traditions. What a coincidence, my newest passion combining with another one I had for years on a little island in the mid pacific. Learning about Sustainable Tourism was adventurous. A few of the excursions we had for class included visiting the airport where we learned how they manage the amount of tourists that can access the islands to withstand its carrying capacity. (The amount of human interaction a destination can handle without being negatively impacted) I have a smelly memory of the waste management facility that accepts the compost, trash and recycling from the community and cruise ships. Additionally we visited and learned how tourism funds the conservation centers that breed the endangered species of the islands. We also visited eco lodges and residences that utilize the natural beauty of their land or historic property for tourism. This changed my perspective of income generation through tourism because what is more important than the profits is the well being of the destination. Valuing the contentment of a destination to maintain its beauty for future use is more profitable, even if that means capping the amount of money that can be made currently. If a natural attraction is depleted, no one would visit.

The Galápagos community works together to ensure current and future success.

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My favorite class excursions however were the ones that involved the ocean. I attached a journal entry from one below. I am realizing this now, but those are the days I learned the most about myself. To name some milestones, I swam fearlessly next to sharks, held my breath longer than I knew I could and killed a fish. In the picture below I was smiling because I felt proud I was feeding a family an ethically sourced meal. But about 45 seconds later I watch that fish take its last breath and its proof of life splatter across the floor of the boat. That moment would be the example that teaches me I never want to be the reason an animal dies ever again.

That wasn’t on the syllabus. That was one of life’s most valuable lessons.

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The Sustainable Tourism class explained a lot of the abnormal things I experienced when I was the tourist myself. For example as we were entering the archipelago, the flight attendants sprayed down the inside of the airplane to further reduce any invasive species. These practices continued within the islands as we traveled and took boat tours. We went through bag searches (to keep tourists from collecting shells or organisms) and sustainability briefings for every adventure.  It is necessary that every island stays pristine individually. Not even sand from one island should not be brought to another.  While I was on fall break during this semester we island hopped across the Galápagos archipelago. During this time away from class I was still learning and I witnessed Sustainable Tourism again first hand. With signs, (see image below) we were encouraged by the owners to avoid long showers and reuse bath towels throughout our stay to save water. We learned in class that every house and business receives a limited amount of water to provide enough for the community each day. It was beautiful to see this island community living together, all doing their part in so many different ways to uphold a perfect balance for the pristine environment. To allow nature and humans to coexist and welcome global visitors to learn about it. Living through this this encouraged me to begin reducing my water use from then on, and leave "natural souvenirs" from my destinations where they are meant to be.

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As last minute and spontaneous as this study abroad was, I could not pass up the opportunity. I am so grateful I took this leap of faith because here is where I met the women and men that shaped me into this animal loving, tree hugging, ocean cleaning machine. Their influence, education and example also lead me to the sport of scuba diving, which also if done properly is arguably one of the most sustainable tourism activities available to adventure seeking tourists. Above all things, scuba diving changed me. Turning into a mermaid for 45 minutes is the most amazing experience and something I crave daily. My fingers hover over my keyboard trying to put the feeling into words. It is truly something you can only appreciate once you have done a back flip off a boat into uncertainty. Something you only understand if you have submerged into another world with an oxygen tank strapped to your back and weights around your waist pulling you further away from the only atmosphere you have ever known. It sounds absurd, but under water, every breath comes easily. I’m sure your entire body is freaking out trying to cope with the pressure but your mind is at peace. You can focus on the crackle and songs of the sea, the life around you. Gaze in awe at the light dancing over fish scales and reefs of coral.

I fell in love with coexisting among the wild life and mother nature. 

And then I knew what I wanted to do. I knew what I was meant to do. Teach people how to play in and respect the ocean. It is critical for destinations across the world to participate in Sustainable Tourism to continue generating income and expanding their businesses with this industry. For the longest time I said, “I want to be an ocean tour guide. I don’t care if it’s stand up paddle board tours, sunset sail boat tours, or if I’m snorkeling around reefs every day. I just know one of those things is exactly what I wanna do. And I also want to make sure it’s done sustainably by myself and others.” And now more educated, experienced and blessed with opportunity I can add to that: “I am aware of my capabilities and the capabilities of those surrounding me. I am thankful that they are also genuine people that share the same passions as I do. And I am honored to be a part of their future." I am looking forward to teaching what my Global Learning taught me with the travelers that will cross my path.