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What it's all about

This summer I hope to go to Indonesia for 6 weeks with charity Operation Wallacea to do research on the coral reef on a remote island called Hoga. Operation Wallacea works in remote parts of the world undertaking social and scientific expedition projects. I will be working as a volunteer alongside a team of scientists and research assistants.

Operation Wallacea have been working in Indonesia since 1995. Indonesia has one of the most diverse coral reefs in the world, research here can help us understand complex tropical ecosystems. Understanding the ecosystems allows conservational measures to be put in place.

As well as the obvious skills I will learn, such as to scuba dive and increase my knowledge of reef ecology, I hope to increase my own personal development. I will develop my teamwork and leadership skills as I have to work in a team in field conditions. The fund-raising has already helped me improve my project management and organisational skills. The expedition has increased my commitment and self motivation of my further education, as this is an extra-curricular activity. Last but not least, it will increase my scientific experience and field work skills and this will greatly help me with my Bsc Natural Sciences degree. As I am in my penultimate year at the University of Bath, all the data I collect I am going to use for my final year dissertation project.

What's needed to make it a reality

At the moment I am trying my hardest to get all the funds together to be able to make this a reality! I have a part-time job during term time that I am trying to use to save. I have also been fundraising over the last few months to try and raise the money and last month I participated in the Bath Half Marathon as a sponsored event, as well as cake sales etc. I have a applied for several grants and written to many asking for help but unfortunetly not all are able to help me.