by Jaebum Park
I have always been interested in nature, and stories about saving the environment have fascinated me. I have watched and enjoyed all the documentary films and YouTube content conserving and restoring devastated ecosystems. As I am majoring in Media and Communication, I wanted to create similar video content. But I felt a sense of distance at the same time. It seemed like that work was meant for someone else, while I was just an audience.
Therefore, the 6 months of internship at Orange County Coastkeeper was a challenge for me. Actually, coming from Korea, where I was born and raised, and moving to the United States was itself a big challenge. I was not sure if I could adapt well to a new country and handle the tasks required for the internship.
Despite my worries, I was able to become a part of Coastkeeper and participate in many activities. Kids Ocean Day allowed me to understand and imagine the impact these experiences can have on children’s futures. The fieldwork for the shell string events and the Living Shorelines project was always enjoyable, as it was the same kind of restoration activities I had seen in documentaries and videos. Participating in beach cleanups felt especially special; although I had heard about trash pickup activities before, it was my first time actually taking part in them.
More importantly, I got to produce content about all these activities as a communications intern. The process of filming and editing videos was fulfilling because it was exactly what I wanted to do.
Furthermore, I was able to explore different types of content and projects, helping me overcome my fears. Writing articles about complicated topics seemed difficult at first. A video project I took a lead was overwhelming. I also designed graphics for social media, which I was not familiar with. However, other communications crew were always there to provide quality feedback and help. With their support, I learned how to create effective communication materials. I completed each content and gradually expanded my boundaries bit by bit.
Now, as I look back on this experience, I am grateful for this opportunity to have done this internship. I learned a great deal about the marine ecosystem and gained valuable communication skills. I experienced several approaches and strategies that Coastkeeper employs to address environmental issues. I met a lot of good people working for clean water and our future, and they encouraged and inspired me. Above all, this experience changed my perspective on environmental action, and on myself. I now want to work on wildlife documentaries, and this experience will be a great help.