It was an exiting week for our 2023 annual Blue Planet Competition Winners Oratile and Kgaogelo as they embrarked on a 10-days cruise on the Agulhas II. The pair boarded the ship on the 19th of July 2023 and spent the next 10 days interacting with scientist and postgraduates from different walks of life. It was a wonder and both insightful learning about amazing diversity of life that exists in the ocean and the different careers that exists within the Marine biology field.
Lets hear what our winners have to say about their experience on the Agulhas II:
How would you describe your overall experience of the cruise?
Oratile: My experience was amazing! I met scientists from all over the world with one mission, which was to learn more about the ocean, which was very motivating and made the entire experience very enjoyable
Kgaogelo: My experience of the cruise was like being in a floating smorgasbord of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence. The ship feels like a mini-city at the sea with plenty to do and see. There was nothing quite like waking up to a new destination each day and being able to explore it without the hassle of packing and unpacking.
Is there anything new you learned on the trip?
Oratile: I learned that consistency is key, as most people that I talked to on the cruise were postgraduate students and PhD students that have been learning about marine science for over 6 to 10 years so they can go and make discoveries of their own, and that taught me that hard work, patience and a lot of passion is required for everything that I want to succeed in.
Kgaogelo: I learned so much about Marine biology, ocean conservation, and the importance of protecting our planet’s oceans. I have also learned about the ocean and its inhabitants.
What was the most fun part of the cruise?
Oratile: Meeting new people, the people I came across during the cruise were grown and had experienced a fair share of life, and that growth came with a lot of interesting experience and a lot of passion for what they do that they were all willing to share.
Kgaogelo: The most fun part of the cruise was getting to interact with the scientists on board and hearing their stories about the research they were doing.
Would you say the trip expanded your knowledge about the ocean, marine science, and careers that exist within the field?
Oratile: Yes, initially I didn’t think much of the marine space and the impact it had on my everyday life but after the cruise, I learned about how marine scientists help me in my everyday life for example marine weather forecasting predicts the weather.
Kgaogelo: Yes.. I learned about the amazing diversity of life that exists in the ocean, from microscopic plankton to giant whales. I also got to learn about the different careers in marine science like marine biology, oceanography, and marine conservation.
What was the most interesting/educational thing about your ten-day cruise?
Oratile: Learning about the biodiversity of the ocean and the abundant life it carries. Here’s an interesting fun fact: the majority of the oxygen we breathe in is from the ocean.
Kgaogelo: One of the most interesting things I learned on the cruise was how interconnected the ocean is with all life on Earth. I learned about the intricate and delicate balance of marine ecosystems and how human activities like pollution and overfishing can disrupt this balance. This information was fascinating and sobering. It made me realize how important it is for us to take care of our planet’s oceans and protect them for future generations
What are you going to do with the information that you have gained?
Oratile: Expand it, the information I have learned has exposed me to many subjects of interest e.g. Astronomy, Oceanography, etc. I have learned about these topics and gained an interest in them so I increased my knowledge on the subjects to see if I am interested in following the subjects for the rest of my life.
Kgaogelo: As someone who has gained a lot of new knowledge about the ocean and marine science from the cruise, I am planning to use that information in several ways: *Educate others: I am planning to share what I’ve learned with my friends, family, peers even with my classmates to raise awareness about Marine conservation issues
*Pursue further education: I’m considering pursuing a career in marine science, so I am planning to continue learning more about this field.
What advice would you give to learners who want to enter the Blue Planet competition?
Oratile: Do it! you may win or lose and regardless of what happens you learn! When I applied for the Blue Planet competition I didn’t know much about the ocean but the research I did while competing made me realize that I had an underlying interest in geography and the ocean.
Kgaogelo: Entering the Blue Planet competition can be a great way to challenge yourself, showcase your skills, and learn from others. Here are some tips I’d like to share with learners who want to enter. *Set clear goals *Understand the rules *Prepare thoroughly *Stay focused and motivated *Embrace the learning experience *Stay organized *Seek support *Learn from feedback *Enjoy the journey * Research the topic /subtopics they indicated and try to give it you all, use your skills, Good luck, and I hope you have a great experience.
