the conversation about the importance of conservation and what the marine environment provides with those indigenous to the area.
Having grown up on the island of Mallorca, Spain, and having spent time teaching diving and science as a young adult in Costa Rica, Daniel recognizes firsthand the impact these types of exchanges can have both on the people involved and on the environment. In many ways, it led him to work at GVI.
“I was in awe of the power I had on people by opening their eyes to experiences and the world around them,” said Daniel as he reflected on his time working as a marine biologist and dive instructor in Costa Rica.
And it’s this power that brings us back to the “what you get” part of the GVI model.
Most guests who participate in a GVI trip learn a skill related to marine conservation, but they also develop soft skills that are with them for the rest of their lives. Tools like adaptability, cultural awareness and personal reflection are all gained, and, as a result, guests become more compassionate in their day-to-day lives.
According to Daniel, many guests are hit with the gravity of the task at hand early on in their trip, and it’s not uncommon for guests to become overwhelmed by the state of the ocean. However, a daily reflection period is built into the service learning model GVI employs, which allows guests the opportunity to better process their experience.
“The world we live in is so fast and we don’t think we have the time to reflect,” Daniel told Blue Ocean Summit host, Laurie Wilson. “But you cannot cement knowledge if you don’t have the time to reflect on the activity and how it affected your values and your day-to-day life back home.”
Upon leaving a trip, guests continue their education and reflection, essentially becoming mini-ambassadors for marine conservation in their towns back home. They become engaged citizens, sharing their newly-gained experience and knowledge and influencing the people around them to think differently about the products they use and their footprint on the world.
“When you hear about it [marine conservation] from family and friends, it hits home,” said Daniel.
With 20 years of success behind it and an exciting future ahead, it’s clear GVI has found a model that creates engaged citizens around the world. Over time, it’s these alumni that rise to senior management positions, using the soft skills and compassion gained on their GVI trip to influence organizations large and small.
And that’s how, trip-by-trip, and guest-by-guest, GVI is growing a global network of passionate people who want to make a difference on the environment around them.
With 20 years of success behind it and an exciting future ahead, it’s clear GVI has found a model that creates engaged citizens around the world. Over time, it’s these alumni that rise to senior management positions, using the soft skills and compassion gained on their GVI trip to influence organizations large and small.
And that’s how, trip-by-trip, and guest-by-guest, GVI is growing a global network of passionate people who want to make a difference on the environment around them.
GVI's Conservation projects in Seychelles are split into two focuses; Island and Marine conservation. Take a look at what the Marine Conservation project is all about!
Take a look at what the Marine Conservation project is all about!