l've learned a new way of life!For

l've learned a new way of life!
For the last six months Melanie Black has been living in Kuala Hati,a small village in the south of Sumatra. Together with six other volunteers from Save the Seas,a nonprofit charitable organization,Melanie has been working with an lndonesian marine research team to survey the ocean environment.She says it has been the most amazing experience of her life."l'm not usually adventurous,"Melanie told us,"but when l came across the Save the Seas ad in our local newspaper, l knew immediately it was for me. L started getting ready for the trip right away and l set off for lndonesia a week later. “l’ve always been interested in the ocean. l’m going to study Marine Biology at college next semester, but all the same it was hard here at first. The local people aren’t accustomed to seeing Westerners, and they used to come over to our tens and stare at us. Things got better when we learned to speak the local language, and now they have really accepted us into their community. We’re invited to join in with all their activities-l’ve been to six weddings since l arrived! And l’ve even up surfing! “ “All the volunteers are on a year off before staring college. We didn’t know each other before we arrived, but we all get along brilliantly-l feel like l’ve made friends for life!” “This experience has really helped me a lot. Lt has given me a lot of con fidence. l think taking a year off makes you more mature and independent. You grow up so quickly. l’m really looking forward to going back to the states and starting college now!”