Written by Summer Sorensen, 2024-25 Latitudes Student
Diving into a New World: My Internship in Tenerife
There’s so much I could say about my experience so far! I was nervous about traveling to an unknown place on my own for the first time—especially to islands I hadn’t even heard of four months ago.
At the start of my FVP, I worked with See You Diving, got my open-water scuba certification, and completed a marine biology internship in Tenerife, Spain. My days in Tenerife typically looked like this: I’d get up around 8:30, depending on whether we were diving or having class that day.
If we were diving, we’d go out for two dives in the morning, with locations varying each day. On non-diving days, we’d have class—either entering previously collected data or giving presentations. Our internship and research focused on sampling seagrass and studying the importance of healthy seagrass growth. Seagrass is a strong indicator of how well the surrounding ecosystem is functioning.
We used underwater whiteboards to record measurements like height, length, metric coordinates, temperature, and more. We also learned about local marine life, collected plankton samples, and gave presentations on seawalls, algae, and other marine topics.
Additionally, I learned how to write manuscripts and worked in Google Excel and Word, gaining confidence in entering data—skills that will definitely help me in college.
Throughout the internship, Alice—who runs See You Diving with her husband, Beltran—shared her marine biology expertise with us both in and out of the water. She was always enthusiastic, approachable, and ready to answer any questions I had. Her passion for the ocean inspired me to further pursue marine biology, and she made sure I understood and felt confident in everything we were learning. I can’t wait to go back and visit one day!
Now, I’m living in Bilbao, Spain, attending a language school and staying in a shared apartment. My experience so far has been great!
Challenges Along the Way
I think the biggest challenge has been staying present. Time is flying by, and I often catch myself thinking ahead instead of fully soaking in the moment. In Tenerife, I was learning so much every day—it felt impossible to absorb it all! I wish I had recorded everything so I could revisit and reflect on it all later.
Another challenge has been the social aspect. While I love connecting with others, being “on” from morning until bedtime can be exhausting. The hostel was always buzzing with activity, and I didn’t realize how draining that could be. It’s been a valuable reminder to honor my limits and carve out time for myself when needed.
Unforgettable Highlights and Favorite Moments
Wow—so many highlights! One of the biggest was working with See You Diving. I saw a turtle, an angel shark, stingrays, and so many fascinating fish. Scuba diving introduced me to a new world—quiet, vast, and completely perspective-shifting. The experience of breathing underwater is surreal at first!
Another highlight was spending time at the hostel—singing karaoke, dancing, cooking, and forming connections with travelers from around the world. I’ve made lifelong friends I can’t wait to visit again.
I also loved exploring the beaches of Tenerife, visiting the incredible volcano, and taking long walks.
Finally, being in a city like Bilbao has been a joy. It’s the perfect size—not too big, not too small—and super clean, with tons to explore. The beaches and coastline in Northern Spain are absolutely stunning!
Personal Growth and Lessons Learned
When I started the program, I was really nervous about solo travel. I loved being part of a group in the fall, and I wasn’t sure how I’d do on my own. But I’ve gained a level of confidence I didn’t know I had.
I’ve always been most comfortable around familiar people, so this experience pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. I’ve also embraced a “go with the flow” mindset—something that doesn’t come naturally to me since I love to plan. I’ve realized that stressing doesn’t help and that things usually work out in the end.
Moving across the world to live somewhere entirely new—with different people, a new culture, and unfamiliar surroundings—was a huge leap. But I’m incredibly glad I took the risk. I’ve grown so much because of it.
Inspired by Summer’s gap year? Learn more about the Latitudes Year and carve out your own journey!
