Last week I traveled to New York to attend the 40th anniversary and annual meeting of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society. There I met all the volunteers who work for this incredible organisation. They are all passionate explorers of the oceans and work for its long-term preservation. That is the main reason for their investment of time and resources in the education of young divers like me – to ensure that the next generation takes care of our underwater world. As a selected beneficiary of the 2014 European Rolex Scholarship, I am engaging myself in this challenge and I cannot feel more honoured, happy and excited.
Every year the society chooses one representative from each region: North America, Australasia and Europe. This year I had the opportunity to share this experience, simultaneously, with two strong and determined women: Ana from USA/Mexico and Courtney from New Zealand. The event was spread over four days and everyone there immediately made us feel like part of the family. We also had the opportunity of meeting many important sponsors who shared their love for the ocean with us. Many explorers invited us to visit their diving operators all over the world, including Mr. Sven Lindblad, the owner of the prestigious and world renowned travel company Lindblad Expeditions partnered with National Geographic, who offered us the great opportunity of going to one of his expeditions to the Galapagos Islands! I cannot wait to see the places that inspired Darwin’s Theory of Evolution!
From all the amazing people I met, some of the most inspiring for me were the past Rolex Scholars. Each one of them have already achieved outstanding careers, like Joe Stevens, the first European Rolex Scholar, who is a naturalist for the BBC of London and works producing documentaries about aquatic life hand in hand with, the man himself David Attenborough. I met other past scholars like Jade Berman and Josh Stewart, who enthusiastically showed us their interesting research with sponges and manta rays respectively.
On the other hand, I got a membership of the Explorers Club from the hand of its current president. This group has members from all fields of exploration, like Stephen Hawking, for his achievement in aero spatial science. I cannot express with words how proud and grateful I feel for being part of such a prestigious group of scientists.
Moreover, we were overwhelmed by gifts from sponsors and other supporters. I received so much diving equipment (a dive computer, safety equipment, lights, a very cool rain jacket, shirts, etc.) that I had to take an extra suitcase on my return to Germany!
We also received an elegant Rolex submariner that, more than a luxury watch, is a reminder of the commitment I made with the society. This indestructible piece that epitomizes sophistication and accuracy, will join me in all my dives, trips and adventures of my mission! – To learn everything I can about the sharks ecotourism industry to be able to work towards their conservation. The tic tack is a reminder of the obligation of using the time we still have to save the marine life.
