During a discover abroad program in Australia and New Zealand I completed BIOL 3460: Natural History of the South Pacific. This was the first course that I had ever taken that was truly sustainability-oriented and was what shaped my interest in this field. The course was totally hands-on and we were graded by completing tests and quizzes about native flora and fauna of the south pacific in the field. Over the course of this month, we had extensive field trips into forests, coral reefs, and other unique habitats to explore the natural history of the plants and animals in these regions and how they interact. In addition, we examined how the geology, climate, and peoples of the region have shaped the evolution of these organisms and how a changing climate may impact them in the future.
Having the opportunity to experience these incredible ecosystems firsthand was what inspired me to incorporate sustainability into my education and my life going forward. Previously, I had a very business-oriented mindset and did not necessarily consider a lot of the environmental impacts that operating a profitable business can have. However, once I was able to observe the impacts that commercial fishing, oil drilling, and mining have on things like coral reefs I began to understand what it meant for the longevity of these ecosystems. I was also able to witness how ecotourism and other industries in Australia and New Zealand are maintaining a balance between people, planet, and profit to ensure that they are promoting the sustainability of their company and the world around them. The experiences that I had throughout this course culminated to shape my perspective on global issues and motivated me to be a part of the solution and not the problem.
After returning home from my trip, I found myself contemplating the things I had learned about and observed daily. As a result, I joined the sustainability certificate program, began educating myself further on environmental problems, and changed my habits as a consumer. I am extremely grateful for the knowledge that I gained through this class and am confident that it will continue to serve me going forward.