This winter, I began my unforgettable journey to Fiji courtesy of the Klemm Fellowship, where I was immersed in conservation, adventure, and cultural exchange. During my three weeks on the island, I stayed in an apartment in Pacific Harbour with three girls and two boys from different parts of the world: the Netherlands, Australia, France, and Germany. Together, we embarked on twice weekly survey dives where we documented marine life. The most exhilarating experience in Fiji was the shark dive, where 100 feet below the surface, we observed dozens of large creatures including bull and nurse sharks. Another part of our conservation effort was in planting mangroves to reintroduce the trees into the coastal ecosystem. My trip was not all about conservation efforts, though. My friends and I were invited to the local village to attend their celebratory ‘kava bowl’, where we danced to live music and drank their signature root kava drink (spoiler: it tastes like dirt). In Fiji, every moment I shared with those I met, whether above or below sea level, was a testament to the beauty of nature, the importance of conservation, and the power of human connection. My journey left an undeniable mark on my soul, fueling my lifelong passion for exploration, conservation, and friendship.