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I left the UK in June 2025 unable to scuba dive and with little knowledge of marine eco-systems. During four profound weeks as a research assistant with Operation Wallacea (Opwall), I helped conduct benthic and fish surveys & assisted in the capture and dissection of over 50 invasive lionfish. I also gained a deep appreciation for the complexity and fragility of coral reef ecosystems and a passion for this area of study and research.

Opwall is an environmental organisation dedicated to long-term biodiversity monitoring, operating across eight countries for nearly 30 years. In Honduras, their marine site is located in the Bay of Tela - home to a uniquely resilient coral reef that, despite heavy freshwater runoff and pollution, remained one of the healthiest in the Caribbean until the bleaching event of 2023. Opwall has monitored this reef since 2014, collecting benthic and fish survey data at six sites annually, along with lionfish samples to better understand their impact. Lionfish, an invasive species with no natural predators in the region, pose a significant threat to reef biodiversity. This season's project focused on how their diet may have shifted following the 2023 bleaching event. Data collected included size, sex, maturity, and stomach contents - all of which feed into a growing dataset to support large-scale analysis.

During my first two weeks, I completed both my PADI Open Water diving certification and a Caribbean reef ecology qualification. This involved daily lectures on coral ID, reef threats, and conservation practices, paired with hands-on training in key research techniques - from laying transects and quadrats to using underwater video rigs for benthic and fish surveys.

In the final two weeks, I applied these skills across two research teams. With the reef surveillance team, I helped to lay 50m transects and filmed benthic surveys using GoPros along these transects. I also assisted with fish surveys using stereo video surveillance (SVS), and assisted in daily data analysis. Benthic data involved coral, algae, and invertebrate ID, while fish survey footage was used to calculate biomass of identified fish, offering a more accurate ecological picture than traditional ID methods. SVS techniques for fish surveying are being pioneered by Opwall in their Honduran sites (Tela and Utila). With the lionfish team, I took part in daily dives to locate and capture lionfish. Post-dive, we recorded measurements, dissected the fish for sex and maturity, and analysed stomach contents - typically filled with small fish and crustaceans. All this data contributed to Opwall’s long-term data sets.

Throughout the month, I gained not only technical skills in scientific diving and data collection, but also a deeper understanding of how conservation science must integrate both ecological knowledge and local context. Tela’s reef is considered an ecological anomaly - it thrives despite conditions that should prevent healthy coral growth. Until the 2023 bleaching event, it was one of the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean, with high coral cover and low levels of algae. Scientists still don’t fully understand why it was able to flourish, which makes ongoing monitoring crucial. At the same time, local interest in marine life is limited, largely due to a lack of education and economic reliance on industries like fishing. This makes the work of Opwall and Tela Marine (Opwall’s local contact) especially important - not just for research, but for engaging local communities through outreach, education, and ecotourism. Sustainable conservation here depends on both scientific data and community involvement.

Now entering my fourth year studying chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, I’m excited to carry this experience into my academic work - particularly in sustainability and environmental chemistry. This placement confirmed my passion for marine science and showed me how my chemistry background can contribute to this research. I’m incredibly grateful to SWAY and the Go Abroad Fund for making this opportunity possible. I grew so much - as a researcher and as a person - and I would love to return to similar work in the future.

Rebuilding with Purpose: A Sustainable Design Journey in Siargao

Over the past few weeks, I had the incredible opportunity to spend my summer in Siargao, Philippines, working on a community-led design-build project with CAUKIN Studio in collaboration with Lokal Lab. This initiative focused on rebuilding farmer huts for local communities still recovering from the devastating impact of Typhoon Odette in 2021 – a storm that displaced thousands and severely damaged essential infrastructure across the island.

Our collective goal was not just to construct physical shelters, but to support long-term, sustainable regeneration. We used locally sourced, natural materials – such as bamboo, timber, and hand-woven nipa palm – and implemented low-impact building methods that responded to both the tropical climate and cultural context. Every decision, from material choice to structure orientation, was rooted in environmental consciousness and community collaboration.

One of the most powerful aspects of this experience was working directly alongside local farmers and craftspeople. It was a two-way exchange of skills, knowledge, and stories. We weren’t just building for the community – we were building with them. This emphasis on participatory design reminded me of the value of humility, adaptability, and empathy in the design process.

As an interior design student, this hands-on experience gave me a new perspective on the intersection of sustainability, social impact, and spatial design. It showed me that design can be both beautiful and deeply meaningful – and that true innovation often comes from the ground up. This project has not only expanded my technical skills but has also reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career rooted in ethical, human-centred design. 

Karolina shares her experiences of sustainable living in Germany.

Although I travelled to and from Edinburgh using eco-friendly means, I decided to use my Interrail pass for a longer train journey across Europe. Greece had always been a destination I longed to visit; however, since I stopped flying within Europe a couple of years ago, I had not managed to go there because of the lengthy and costly train journeys. Now, with the Interrail ticket and sufficient time after my year abroad, I could embark on a four-week journey through the Balkans. 

In a whirlwind two-day and one-night journey, I first travelled to Brașov in Transylvania, a region rich in German influence due to centuries of migration. From there I continued to Sofia, a city I found deeply fascinating for its historical significance as a crossroads of cultures. My next stop was Athens, which I regarded as the highlight of the trip, which is why I stayed there for a full week. In Athens I enjoyed the historic landscapes and museums, as well as the street scenes. Nevertheless, I found the over-tourism and the resulting struggles for the local communities troubling. My next stop, Thessaloniki, made me reflect further about these differences. In the city and its surroundings I saw a profusion of luxury restaurants and resorts, while the newspaper I consumed showed images of migrants dying at sea and on the very same shores.  Throughout my journey, passing through numerous borders also highlighted my privileges as a white person holding a German passport.

From Thessaloniki, I took a night bus to Bucharest, a city which resonated with me especially as I was reading a novel about a protagonist who migrated from Romania to Germany. Exploring Bucharest with this story in mind added an extra layer of meaning to my visit. From the Romanian capital, I took a night train to Bratislava. My spontaneous decision to spend a night there turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The city offered a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere, a refreshing contrast to the heat and vibrancy of the Balkans. My final destination was Kraków, finishing my trip with another beautiful and historic city.  

Although this was my second Interrail trip – the first having taken place after finishing school with three friends – it was by far my longest solo adventure. I feel confident travelling alone and truly enjoyed the sense of independence and liberty it provided. Interacting with strangers – especially on trains – taught me a lot about different cultures and perspectives. After four weeks constantly on the move, I also appreciated the comforts of home – the one I was grateful to have in Edinburgh, and now the one I am rebuilding in Germany.

I am very grateful to you and the ������Ƶ team for making this experience possible for me and fellow students.

I am in Versailles, France, studying Landscape Architecture! Having a lovely time, the campus is gorgeous, we are situated on the ‘Potager du Roi’ (Kings Vegetable Gardens) so as you can imagine the sustainability involvement is plentiful!

As I am in a busy time of my studies, I don’t have time to get involved in all the opportunities but something I have been consistently enjoying since my time here was getting involved in a society called ‘Picorama’.

The society manages a chicken coup on site in one of the less used part of the garden, it is around 100 by 50m and houses around 15 chickens with a few young ones as well! The coupe also has an on-site compost site, the idea is that one or more people from the society sign up to go once a day and make sure the chickens are fed (locally sourced grain), watered (on site collected rainwater) and especially inside the coupe as they do tend to be crafty escape artists!

In return for this you are allowed to take home any eggs that you might find on your visit. You are also invited to put your compost either into the chickens personal stockpile, or – depending on the contents of your compost (that means no chicken bones!!) – add it to the gardens general compost that is used by the on-site gardeners to enrich the soil.

The system works super well and everyone on campus is very supportive of the activity! The society does help this enthusiasm by organising crepe, waffle or general bake sales at various points throughout the year, all made with the chicken eggs!

I am currently volunteering at the local thrift store which is fun, sustainable, and a great way to get to know some people in the local community and to practice some Dutch.

All of the items are donated by people in the area and sold at reasonable prices. It’s called De Buurtkringloop (the neighbourhood charity shop). Sophie, the founder, began it as an experiment and it was so successful that it’s still running 3 years later! She also organises events for the community to try and encourage connections that wouldn’t otherwise have been made. For instance, there is a baking competition in a few weeks, and they will have a stall at Lowlands festival selling wacky clothes (a popular music festival just outside the city). When I first moved here I was able to buy my furniture from there (and another second-hand store nearby) so it feels like a nice full-circle moment to work there now!

In exchange for voluntary work I get Makkie vouchers. These are a kind of currency that you can spend at certain businesses in the local area to encourage a community mindset. I think that it’s a great idea, maybe it’s something that we could have in Edinburgh! For one hour of work, I get one Makkie- 5 will buy a meal at the local Indonesian restaurant, 1 will get me a coffee at a cute bar, and with 2 I could buy a new skirt. Here is a link to the initiative:

Some of my friends also volunteer at a place called De Sering, a people’s kitchen. Whilst I’ve only eaten there before (delicious!) I think it’s a great initiative and maybe something that you’d be interested to read about.