Adjusting to island life

 I’ve really been enjoying my time on the island. Being here has been such a different experience, and I’ve loved getting to slow down and appreciate the little things. It’s been refreshing to step away from the constant hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend time somewhere that feels so peaceful.

That being said, I have to admit that the homesickness is starting to kick in. I miss my own bed more than I ever thought I would, and I definitely miss my cat and the luxury of air conditioning. Those little comforts at home are easy to take for granted until they’re gone.

Even with those moments of missing home, I’m grateful for this experience. There’s something calming about knowing that out here, we can only do what we can. Things move at their own pace, and there’s no point in stressing over what you can’t control. (Especially since my computer won’t turn on and I can’t do anything about it) It’s been a nice reminder to slow down, relax, and enjoy where I am right now before it’s time to head home.

Psa: I don’t know why it isn’t letting me add pictures, but since I’m doing everything on my phone and nothing ever wants to work accordingly here I’m not suprised🥲

 

Looking Ahead: What I'm Most Excited for During the Rest of My Time in Cayos Cochinos

After just one week in Cayos Cochinos, I already feel like I've experienced more than I could have imagined. Every day has been filled with something new, whether it's exploring coral reefs, hiking through the jungle, learning from local community members, or applying what we've learned in class directly in the field.

As incredible as this first week has been, it also makes me even more excited for everything that's still to come.

Continuing to Explore the Reef

One of the things I'm looking forward to the most is spending more time underwater. Every time we snorkel, I notice something I hadn't seen before. The reefs here are incredibly diverse, and I know there are still countless organisms waiting to be discovered.

I'm especially hoping to see even more marine life and continue improving my ability to identify different species in their natural habitats. The more time I spend underwater, the more I realize how much there is still to learn.

Seeing Research Come to Life

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to participate in this program was the opportunity to be involved in real research. Throughout the week, I've been helping Professor Gilchrist with her research, and I'm excited to begin seeing the results come together. I'm looking forward to seeing what patterns begin to emerge as we continue collecting data.

I'm also excited to start developing my own research project. One of my goals while I'm here is to identify a question that genuinely interests me, design a study around it, and begin collecting my own data. It's a little intimidating, but it's also one of the opportunities I've been looking forward to the most.

Learning More About Animal Behavior

So far we've covered corals, sponges, and annelids, but Professor Gilchrist mentioned that we'll soon have a lesson focused on animal behavior. If you know me, you know that's something I'm especially excited about.

I've always been fascinated by why animals behave the way they do, and after completing my fiddler crab behavior project earlier this year, I'm looking forward to learning even more about behavioral ecology while observing marine organisms in their natural environment. I'm excited to see how the concepts we discuss in class translate into what we observe on the reef.

Continuing to Explore Honduras

Although marine biology is the main reason I'm here, I also want to experience as much of Honduras as I can. During our visit to East Village, I realized how much I enjoy learning about the people and culture alongside the ecosystems.

I'm looking forward to exploring more of the islands, meeting more local people, and learning about daily life in a place that's so different from what I'm used to back home. Every conversation and every new place has given me another perspective, and I hope to continue learning from the communities that call these islands home.

And on a slightly less scientific note, I'm determined to finally try sopa de caracol before I leave. I've heard so much about it that it feels like an essential part of the experience!

Growing as a Marine Biologist

When I applied for this program, I hoped it would help me become a better marine biologist. After only one week, I already feel like it's helping me grow in ways I didn't expect.

Living on a small island, adapting to a completely different environment, learning from experienced researchers, and spending so much time observing marine ecosystems has given me a new appreciation for both science and conservation. Every day challenges me to become more observant, ask better questions, and think more critically about the natural world around me.

I have a feeling that by the time this program is over, I'll leave with far more than just new knowledge. I'll leave with new experiences, new perspectives, and a better understanding of the kind of scientist I hope to become.

Looking Forward

There are still so many experiences ahead, and I honestly have no idea what each day will bring. That's part of what makes this adventure so exciting.

Whether it's discovering a species I've never seen before, seeing the results of our research begin to take shape, designing my own project, learning more about animal behavior, exploring more of Honduras, trying new foods, or simply watching another incredible sunset over the Caribbean, I'm looking forward to making the most of every opportunity.

Thank you for following along with my journey. I can't wait to share everything that the next week has in store.

1st Weekend

 I can hardly believe a week has already passed here. Its been wonderful so far, and I'm glad I decided to take this course. We didn't have any lectures this weekend so we've mainly been left to our own devices. Which of course means planning. I have a good idea about what I'm going to do my project on, but I still need to iron out the details. Times moving fast though, and we won't be able to wait around much longer to get started. 

 

Getting Soaked, Bitten, and Amazed: My First Week in Cayos Cochinos

July 5–11, 2026

When I first signed up for this trip, I knew I was going to learn about marine biology. What I didn't realize was just how quickly this tiny Caribbean island would challenge me, surprise me, and completely change my perspective on life.

This week marked not only my first week in Honduras but also my first time ever leaving the United States. It's hard to believe how much has happened in just a few days.

The Journey to the Island

After flying into Roatán, we boarded a small boat for the two-and-a-half-hour ride to Cayos Cochinos. The weather had other plans for us. Strong winds made for a rough trip, and by the time we reached the island I was completely soaked. At the time, it felt like a less-than-ideal introduction to island life, but looking back, it's a pretty funny way to start such an incredible adventure.

The rough ride was only the first challenge. The bugs have also made themselves very comfortable around me. Unfortunately, my bug spray didn't survive the flight, and each day I've managed to collect a few more bug bites. Thankfully, the incredible experiences here have made both the boat ride and the bug bites well worth it.

Exploring the Reef

One of the highlights of the week was snorkeling at Lion's Head, a site known for its impressive coral reefs.

I've snorkeled before, but nothing compares to seeing a healthy Caribbean reef like this. Everywhere I looked there were colorful reef fish weaving through coral formations, sea fans gently moving with the current, anemones tucked between rocks, and an incredible variety of corals.

The visibility underwater has been amazing as long as you don't accidentally kick up the sand. There were so many moments where I just stopped swimming and looked around, trying to take everything in.

My favorite wildlife encounter of the week was finding a school of Caribbean squid. Watching them move together through the water was unlike anything I've ever seen before, and it quickly became one of those moments I'll remember long after this trip is over.

A Walk Through the Jungle

Not all of our exploring happened underwater.

We hiked through the jungle to reach East Village, and calling it a "trail" might be generous. There were plenty of steep climbs and descents, and in many places we were simply making our way through the forest. Along the way I spotted countless hermit crabs, colorful birds, iguanas, and even a beautiful pink boa, the first one I've ever seen in the wild.

When we reached East Village, I was surprised by how quiet it was. I had expected something much larger, but I soon learned that it's primarily a seasonal fishing village. Only three families live there year-round, and since school is out for the summer, many people were away.

We donated school supplies to the local school and were given a tour. The school was much larger than I expected and really highlighted the close-knit nature of the community.

One of my favorite experiences was talking with one of the local fishermen. He explained how they fish using only a spool of line and their hands rather than the rod-and-reel setup I'm familiar with back home. He proudly showed us several large red snapper they had caught that day, and hearing about their way of life gave me a new appreciation for the skill and knowledge that goes into small-scale fishing.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Although we're surrounded by beautiful reefs every day, this trip isn't just about exploring. We're also taking a marine biology course through New College of Florida with Professor Sandra Gilchrist.

This week we focused on corals, sponges, and annelids, and one of the things I appreciate most about the course is that every lecture is followed by time in the field applying what we just learned.

After our lecture on annelids, we snorkeled out to observe Christmas tree worms in their natural habitat. We tested how they responded to shadows by moving one quickly across them and timing how long it took for the worms to emerge after retreating into their tubes. When we moved the shadow slowly, many of them didn't react at all. It was a simple experiment, but it was fascinating to watch a behavior we'd just discussed in class unfold right in front of us.

The lecture that stood out to me the most was our discussion of coral restoration and conservation. Learning about the challenges reefs face around the world while floating above healthy coral communities made the topic feel especially meaningful.

Settling Into Island Life

Island life has definitely come with a few surprises.

For example, the plumbing here can't handle toilet paper, so that took a little getting used to. Another surprise? I've become a fan of cold showers. After spending the day snorkeling, hiking, or working outside in the tropical heat, they honestly feel amazing.

One thing I definitely wasn't expecting was just how incredible the food would be. We're served three home-cooked meals every day, and they've easily been some of the best meals I've ever had.

When I have free time, you'll usually find me relaxing in one of the hammocks beneath the palm trees near the dining hall. It's become my favorite spot on the island.

At night, the dock becomes one of the coolest places to be. There are swings and hammocks overlooking the water, and if you're lucky, spotted eagle rays glide beneath the lights while tropical birds continue calling from the surrounding forest. Between the sounds of the jungle and the stars overhead, it's one of those places that makes you lose track of time.

Looking Back on Week One

When I arrived in Honduras just a week ago, I wasn't sure what to expect. Looking back now, I don't think I could have imagined everything I've experienced.

I've explored coral reefs, hiked through tropical forests, learned from local fishermen, observed marine life I'd only seen in books, and begun seeing conservation from an entirely new perspective.

More than anything, this first week has reminded me that marine biology isn't just something you study in a classroom. It's about stepping into unfamiliar environments, asking questions, learning from the people around you, and appreciating the incredible ecosystems you're fortunate enough to experience.

As I write this, I'm sitting on a small island in the Caribbean, listening to the sounds of tropical birds while the ocean laps against the shore. A week ago, this was completely outside my comfort zone. Now, it already feels like a place that has changed the way I see both marine biology and the world around me.

I can't wait to see what the rest of this adventure has in store.

Another chill day

 Last night we went out to the dock to test out a fish pro camera. Dangling the camera by a measuring tape proved to be fickle and there where many particles in the water column that made viability less than ideal. I blame recent storms for that bit. Even so, we saw the nightly showing of spotted eagle rays, which are always fun to see. We also got to spot a group of six squid off the dock hunting, one of them even captured a fish right in front of us. Today we get another lecture and get to go out and practice surveying methods out in the water later. Looking forward to another great day here on the island! 

Bug invasion

 I cannot make these events up. Last night I go up to go to bed and there’s a few flying ant looking things around and I start squashing a few, then I get in bed and am like whatever they’ll go away. Then I turn on my fan and there’s a dead lizard that crawled IN my fan and died and I had to get it out and it sucked. But then I get in bed and my roomate comes up and sees a bunch of the little bugs so we start killing them and what not but then they just exploded and went to the lights and beds and such. And I look up and there’s like a whole COLONY in the ceiling and they are coming down the walls trying to kill us cause we don’t know what they are. So then we gave up and went down to the hammocks on the dock and got swung around hardcore by the wind, but at least was cold and no bugs. BUT THEN said roomate unfortunately drops the room key out of the hammock and into the ocean locking us out until morning. (Which we couldn’t find anyone awake to help us anyways) But before all that we used a special camera and got to look under the dock at the organisms there and saw eagle rays and baby squids, which was nice. Hoping that was the most eventful night of the trip and that it’s smooth sailing from here though. 🙏🏼

Jungle Trek

 It's our third day on the island today and after a few issues getting access to the blog, here I am. Today we went hiking across the island to visit East End village. The trek wasn't very long, but it was the altitude changes really wore us down. Spirits were kept high with our wonderful travel companion, a local dog.

After climbing up steps and rocks and sliding down the wet leaf litter we made it to the village where we got a nice tour of their schoolhouse and one of the fishermen showed off his catch. Only a bit further and we find ourselves at an beautiful beach. I'd love to come back with swim wear and see what kind of critters I can spot out there. 

 After climbing up rock walls and walking along the cliff side for a bit, we made it back just in time for lunch.