I start my morning with a 20 minute bike ride to my apprenticeship. It’s a beautiful ride!

My apprenticeship is at a marine turtle conservation program where millions of sick and injured turtles have been rehabilitated and returned to the ocean. Every morning I kick off my Havaianas flip flops, put on rain boots, and jump inside the emptied pools in order to clean the turtles. Marine turtles are majestic animals and I am lucky to have the opportunity to interact with them everyday!

I guide visitors in a one-hour tour that teaches about marine turtles and raises awareness of environmental conservation. Giving the tours (in Portuguese!) is the most challenging part of my apprenticeship and also the most rewarding. I’ve developed my public speaking skills and made an impact on hundreds of people by encouraging them to take care of our planet.

During my lunch break I usually walk to the beach with my co-workers and enjoy the sun while eating my marmita, the delicious lunch that my host mom prepares for me everyday.

After my apprenticeship wraps up, I usually head back home to eat and spend time with my host mom and sister. We can end up talking for hours while always eating something delicious. One of my favorite meals was arroz e feijão, rice and beans, the most simple yet always tasty, and even better when paired with my host mom’s signature passion fruit water.

The rest of my day is never the same. I might take a walk by the canal near our house, take a bus into town to meet up with Fellows or friends, or simply stay home and hang out with my host family. No matter what, it’s always a rewarding adventure!