I spent my summer doing Research and Conservation in Samos, Greece for the Archipelagos Marine and Conservation Institute. I had been placed on the terrestrial team, focusing on pollinators and plants. While I was there I conducted research surveys on pollinator abundance and species diversity in urban areas as well as outside of urban areas. I also created an herbarium for the Institution, which entailed going out on surveys and collecting various plant species and preserving them. This project included adding onto a plant field guide for the Island of Samos. Before starting my research, I had to memorize all the pollinator species on the island and their roles in pollination for a test. There are over 10 different bee species and 15 species of butterflies and moths on the island.

My first day on the internship site was a lot to take in, there were about 90 interns to meet from all around the world. About 20 other interns had arrived with me so I did not have to feel alone and out of the loop. Most of the other interns were from the Netherlands, France, the UK, and America. My daily routine begins with waking up early and attending the morning meeting with all the interns and supervisors. These meetings cover updates about the institute, team projects, and any issues—such as those related to our living arrangements. After the meeting, if there are no scheduled surveys, I focus on research for my project.  I especially enjoy the days when I go out on surveys. We hike nearly six miles every other day, identifying pollinators and the flowers they’re attracted to. After surveys, we have lunch from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. The workday ends at 5:00 PM, and afterward, many interns head straight to the beach to cool off with a swim in the hot weather. My language skills are slowly developing—I have the basics down, like “please” and “thank you.” I’ve been using a small pocket dictionary religiously to keep up with practice. Since none of the food is labeled in English, it’s been a fun way to practice reading the alphabet and learning how words are pronounced.

My global theme is resources and sustainability, with the challenge of how we can protect understudied biodiversity and conserve ecosystems. This experience has deepened my understanding of both my GLI theme and challenge by highlighting the difficulties involved in researching understudied biodiversity, such as pollinators and jackals. Since this is primarily a marine institute, the terrestrial research team is still being developed, which means there has been limited research on the island’s terrestrial wildlife. I learned what it’s like to contribute to a small dataset and to collect plant species in order to support the growth and impact of the research institution.

My impression of Greece hasn’t changed much—I came in knowing it would be rich in history, and it has absolutely lived up to that expectation. I visited the Archaeological Museum of Pythagoreion, which showcases the cultural evolution of the ancient city of Samos. There, I saw ancient artifacts such as pottery, coins, and basic stone tools like cups and lamps. One exhibit that stood out included burial urns used for children and other ancient graves. That surprised me, as I’ve always understood burial sites to be places typically left undisturbed for historical reasons. What did surprise me, however, was the number of rundown buildings. I learned that many people purchase property and begin building homes but are unable to complete them due to financial limitations. One of the things I truly admired was the strong sense of collectivism. In Greece, people tend to have close-knit relationships—there’s a strong focus on community and togetherness, rather than individualism. It’s all about “us.” The steps I took to ensure that I became an asset to the organization included, but were not limited to, researching Archipelagos Marine Institute—its mission, values, and the types of projects currently underway. I also researched the island itself and its local wildlife, including pollinators, golden jackals, and seagrass ecosystems.