From the moment I stepped on the island I was in awe. It seemed as if you could almost see past the island, and out into the vastness of the ocean beyond. There was the island, though, with its tall radio tower stretched into the blue sky as if to scream “I’m here.” “I’m here, and I’m important” it screamed from the middle of the gulf of Maine. Sitting right next to that tall radio tower lays the lab, with specimens, research and students, so many students. These students are not ordinary students; they possess an undeniable passion for learning and the environment. Undisturbed by the distractions of the mainland, the students are able to immerse themselves in learning, studying and growing. It’s as if Appledore Island was brought up intentionally out of the ocean to provide a sanctuary for study.
From the moment I landed on this island, I knew I had found a place that I would love. I knew I had found a place where I could learn, struggle, grow, and thrive. I knew I had found a place where I’d meet others like me, who would happily sacrifice showers for experience. Still my best friends, the people I met at Shoals have shaped me into the person and student that I am. I cannot imagine what my classes would be like without them supporting me the night before an exam, relaxing with me on the weekends, or doing homework late at night while laughing until our abs hurt. I cannot imagine where I would be without them.
The first time I went to Shoals, I was nervous; after all, it was my first college class, and I wasn’t sure how capable I would be. I cried the first night, trying to read a real scientific paper for the first time, realizing that maybe this hadn’t been the best choice for me. Then, five days later I smiled after presenting my own research with a group of people who would soon become some of my closest friends. “Let’s come back here every year,” I made my new best friend promise me as we watched Appledore fade into the distance. Being a Marine Immersion student truly taught me that your current skills and limits do not dictate what your future can hold. After recently receiving an A on a chemistry exam (a class which my parents remind me everyday they nearly failed), my mom questioned, “when did you become a scientist?” “When I went to Shoals,” I replied. The second time I went to the island was for Underwater Research. I was terrified. I had only recently received my diving certification and identified as “a new diver.” I don’t consider myself “new” anymore. The water became where I was comfortable on cold days, on windy days, and on sunny days. I now consider myself a “diver.” I never would have imagined giving myself this label a year ago.
The Shoals Marine Laboratory has given me an outlet to explore so many new things. I am beyond grateful for the past experiences and hope the lab will continue to be a part of not only my education and growth, but of many students in the future
To find course listing visit: http://www.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org/
