Reflections and first impressions

“If we take care of the environment, it will take care of us back,” a student quote during our time at Manly Beach. 

The group got up early to start our class for the day, which took place on a whale watching tour. Many students reflected on the moment they spotted the whales and mentioned how great it was to see whales in nature “just existing.” They were relieved to learn that the numbers for certain whales are increasing. 

The next day, we embarked on a journey to clean at the beach and snorkel, also a first for many of our students. On the snorkel trip, folks saw a shark, stingray, cuttlefish, and many fish. 

We enjoyed a picnic on the beach and celebrated a birthday by enjoying ice cream. 

During a debrief, one of our students reflected on their initial impressions. Being that this is the first time being outside of the US, this student felt that Sydney was remarkably clean, especially in contrast in New York City (Queen). They also noted the ways in which the public transit system and the observable of wildlife are excellent. 

That almost wraps up week 1!