Kim-Marlen Munch | 19 | German
Duration of Volunteering: 5 months

Background: In 2016 I got my A-Levels and joined the Humboldt University of Berlin for philosophy and journalism. Before I would go on with studying, I decided I need to explore the world, learn about life and do something for nature.

Volunteering Experience: I had the chance to work with several NGOs in India and get a knowledge in different fields. My work with Coastal Impact is great. I am learning a lot of new things every day, including scuba diving, conservation, IT and culture. The work atmosphere is organized and well structured and our team is working efficiently together. It’s satisfying to feel that what you are doing is making changes, even small ones.

Selina Etzold | 19 | German
Duration of Volunteering: 5 months

Background: I always knew that I wanted to travel and experience a new country and culture after my high school graduation. Since I was a child I was interested in nature and wildlife. I’m from Germany, where the wildlife is lacking in variety. That’s why I was so fascinated with India. Due to the enormous size of this country, with a diverse range of ecosystems, you can find almost everything here. From camels in the desert to bears in the mountains and dolphins in the oceans. That’s why I packed my bags and came to India after my A levels.

Volunteering Experience: Working with Coastal Impact gave me the opportunity to learn a lot about the marine wildlife, especially in Goa. Some people don’t even know that Goa has a beautiful coral reef where you can find sharks (bamboo, nurse), dolphins and almost 400 species of fish and crustaceans. We are also raising awareness about the human impact on the oceans and beaches. Therefore, we started a Project called “Eco Movie Nights” where we share different nature documentaries to build awareness and engagement with the local community. If you are interested in volunteering with Coastal Impact and you have some questions , then I would be happy to share my experience with you.

Svenja Brauckmann | 20 | German

Last year in 2016 I did my A-Levels and started studying environmental engineering. As this was not really what I wanted, I searched for a different and useful experience. The volunteer work is my possibility to engage myself for the environment while learning a lot about life and marine conservation. I am looking forward to our diving lessons and to see the Goan underwater world. So far I volunteered in a German Otterpark, where they take care of otters, weasels and ferrets. They focus on education and raising awareness about these animals, because there are many issues which affect them in Germany like river straightening and fishing. I am happy to work again on conservation issues and being here in Goa!