One scholar goes, another comes!

Having to put in words what passes through my mind when I look back and analyze what just happened in the last 12 months is not an easy task. In fact, I still think that I do not realize how fortunate and lucky I am to have gone through this vital experience and self- evolving process that this scholarship provides.

Diving under the ice in the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo: Èric Jordà Molina

I guess that I will need some months, even years, when finally, all this will settle down in my head and it will all become part of my reality and will finally find a place in my life storyline. 

This year has provided me, first of all, with extremely valuable learning experiences in the underwater arena. I started the scholarship with some clear goals in my head that I wanted to achieve, but also, I left some room for flexibility to let myself be surprised by learning experiences that have certainly also made a huge impact on me. 

Photographing the underwater world next to a huge iceberg in King George Island. Photo: Paula González

My experience in underwater photography and videography prior to the scholarship was non-existant. However, I always felt that this was something I wanted to pursue and learn more about whenever the opportunity came. During this year I could not have asked for better mentors to teach me about it. After being inspired by top world class underwater photographers, I have realized about the power that underwater imagery, but also imagery in general, has to transmit feelings, to tell stories, to show concepts, to communicate science… As extremely sensory driven beings we need from visual support in order to experience the whole essence of the oceans and the problems and challenges that they are facing with, and for people who do not usually go under the waves this is even more true. Therefore, I truly believe, and after having gone through this learning process I am even more convinced about it, that underwater media will play, and already plays, a tremendous important role in marine conservation and science, but even their multiple effects on people’s mind might even impact politics and societies living style. So, I do hope I that can contribute in the future with all my energy and passion to show people the wonders of the oceans and to tell the exciting personal stories and adventures of marine scientists who give their lives to gain a better understanding on this inaccessible world for so many people.

Sorting a benthic sample from the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo: Èric Jordà Molina

In terms of diving proficiency and competence, this scholarship has given me so much more than I ever could imagine! My diving skills and knowledge from start to end of this year has grown-up exponentially in a very short time. I believe that I could not have afforded, or at least it would have taken a very very long time, to get all this amazing training and mentors that I have had thanks to the scholarship. If anything, this program has for sure catapulted my resume and capabilities that will certainly help to open so many future doors. So, for that all, I cannot express enough my gratitude to everyone who has helped me in this learning process. 

Diving with Strytan Dive Center, in northern Iceland. Photo: Èric Jordà Molina

Another extremely valuable outcome that I take from the scholarship is the opportunity that I have had to work alongside marine scientists in different projects and expeditions. Those, have not only allowed me to gain a better understanding and experience in sampling techniques and data processing but also it gave me the opportunity to carry out research in incredible places, being Antarctica one of the highlights of my year without a doubt. Being able to apply all the knowledge gained in diving and underwater sampling in the waters of this remote continent for me was a career-long goal achieved. I felt extremely fulfilled when I knew I was contributing with my grain of salt to shed light onto new secrets and questions about the polar ecosystems. As mentioned before, my fascination and love for these places go far even beyond my proper understanding and learning about them produces me just to love them even more and more. 

A group of chinstrap penguins swimming graciously underwater. Photo: Èric Jordà Molina

As I know I want to focus my future career steps on learning about the benthic ecology of the polar systems, most likely in the Arctic. The first-hand experience I have gathered over the year on polar science will benefit me for sure when applying for future positions and projects. If those projects involve scientific diving, I will be ready to jump in after all the qualifications and knowledge I have acquired and this, makes me nothing more than happy and satisfied with myself and makes me value the scholarship immensely when it comes to its educational purpose and professional development for the scholars.

Cushion seastar in the Galápagos. Photo: Èric Jordà Molina

In general terms, I do believe that I have achieved and fulfilled the goals that I set to myself when starting the year and I am now convinced that I want to focus my future steps on polar research and science-orientated imagery for outreach and storytelling to the general public. With them, I would like to keep on helping people SONDER for the underwater world, to make people keep the curiosity, passion and love for the inhabitants of the marine world.

Hidden fish in Galápagos. Photo: Èric Jordà Molina

Last but not least, I still cannot believe how blessed and lucky I am to have met so many incredible human beings along this journey. People that will stay in my memory and in my heart forever!

Group picture with Galapagos Sky crew. Photo: M/V Galapagos Sky

I still do not really know how to describe this last year. It has definitely been a rollercoaster of emotions, once in a lifetime experiences and amazing people that I have been meeting along the way. 

What I know for sure is that this year would not have been possible without the amazing support of the scholarship society’s sponsors and hosts. 

In the first place, I want to express my deepest gratitude to ROLEX for being the main funding partner of this awesome program and for their kind generosity in providing me with funds to cover my travel, lodging and the costs for various experiences related to the underwater world during this last year. Without you, this would not be possible. 

Nonetheless, I want to give an enormous thank you to the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS) for having elected me and given me the chance to represent this amazing non-profit organization as the 2018 European ROLEX scholar. I cannot be thankful enough to all the volunteers that keep this society alive and that invest their time and money in trying to promote the importance of the oceans to the public and that focuses on fostering the future leaders in the marine underwater arena. The job you do is far beyond words. 

Secondly, I would like to give my sincere thanks to all the hosts that have provided me with invaluable experiences, diving training, have opened the doors of their houses for me to have a place to stay and that have really spent all their energy and efforts in making me feel accompanied in this journey with lots of laughs and good moments. To all of you, thank you for having shared with me your knowledge and your passion about what you do in all your respective fields and arenas. Everything you have taught me not only is going to be amazingly important for my future steps, but also you all have impacted me in different ways on the person that I am. Today, I would not be the same if I would not have shared this journey with you. 

I want to give a special mention to Jim Standing, the coordinator of the European region of this program, who has guided me and provided me with invaluable contacts and advise and who has hooked me into incredible experiences. Thank you for having adopted me for almost two weeks at your place and having had me as one more of the family together with Leo and the boys! 

A big thank you also goes to Elvin Leech, Howard Painter and Delia Ní Chíobháin Enqvist for their guidance and assistance during the year and for having believed in me during the selection process. Specially, thank you Delia and Chloé Maréchal, 2006 and 2013 European scholars, for being there when I needed to talk to someone in my challenging moments and for having cared about my emotional welfare.

I cannot express also enough gratitude to previous scholars, like Danny Copeland, Yoland Bosiger and Mae Dorricott who have taken care of me in the UK and with who I have shared laughs and scholar stories while cooking paellas or surfing in English waves. Thank you for having considered me as your brother for a few days. 

Going underwater and documenting my year could not have been possible without the extreme kindness of different sponsors who have provided me with top-class diving gear, photography equipment, diving training and insurances: Fourth Element, APEKS, SUUNTO, KUBI, Nauticam, Reef Photo & Video, Light & Motion, PARALENZ, PADI and Divers Alert Network. Thanks to you I have been able to explore and document the oceans and to transmit to people my love for the marine world. 

Thank you to Mark Evans from SCUBA DIVER MAGAZINE UK for allowing me writing about my scholar experiences monthly on this top-of-the-list diving magazine. 

A big thank you to Jade Berman, 2003 European scholar, for her help in reviewing my blog posts and also for her awesome guidance for enrolling myself in astonishing cold-water experiences. 

I want to thank as well my scholar brother and sister of this year 2018 Yann and Olivia for being there whenever I needed to talk to you guys. It’s nice to know that there are two more souls in the world that are going through the same experiences and struggles as you do. 

Me and my twin scholars, Yann and Olivia. Photo: OWUSS

What to say to all the friends I have made along the way! It has been hard to say goodbye, we shared incredible moments together and I want you to know that, wherever I am, wherever I end up in the future, my doors will be open to you. 

Last but not least, I want to thank my family and my parents. They know that although I might not give signs of life for quite some time, although the distance, I love them and appreciate everything they have done for me. Thank you for believing in me, for accepting who I am and for supporting everything I do. 

But a scholar goes and another one comes. I am so happy that another passionate being takes the baton. The 2019 European ROLEX Scholar will be Kim Hildebrandt who, after having met in New York, I am sure she will be an awesome ambassador of the oceans and the OWUSS. She is a passionate vet, extremely interested in the megafauna that inhabits our oceans and an intrepid explorer that I am sure will contribute to the understanding and conservation of the marine world. You go girl! Looking forward to following your year and to catch up in New York about all the amazing adventures that you will undergo!

The 2018 ROLEX scholars welcoming Kim as the new 2019 OWUSS ROLEX scholar. Photo: Delia Ní Chíobháin

End of the Year Movie: SONDER, Giving Voice to the Oceans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cn0hPNg79s

Share