by Nahyun Kwon
Hi everyone! My name is Nahyun, and I am honored to join the Orange County Coastkeeper team as a communications intern. As an International Relations major, I’ve always been fascinated by how global issues connect us all. However, my journey into environmental advocacy truly began in the classroom and on the shores of my home country, Korea.
From Academic Research to Personal Action
During my university studies, I wrote an essay on International solutions for the plastics crisis. Researching the different types of plastics and their devastating impact on our marine ecosystems was an eye-opening experience. It wasn’t just a grade for me; it changed how I viewed the earth.
Learning about the invisible dangers in our water made me realize that protecting the environment isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. This academic spark naturally grew into a personal commitment to environmental conservation.
A Shared Mission: Busan to Orange County
When I first read OC Coastkeeper’s mission, to ensure our water is swimmable, drinkable, and fishable, it immediately took me back to my time at Haeundae Beach in Busan.
I remember participating in a beach cleanup there, picking up trash along the coastline. Standing on that shore, I felt a deep sense of responsibility. Seeing the same goals reflected here in Orange County reminds me that environmental protection is a universal language. Whether in Korea or California, we all share the same blue heart and the same duty to protect it.
What I Hope to Learn and Experience
I believe this internship is a precious opportunity to witness how environmental experts lead real, tangible change in a local community. I am particularly excited about:
- Field Restoration: I am eager to get my hands dirty! I want to experience the restoration sites firsthand to see how we are bringing our local ecosystems back to life.
- The Power of Marketing: As a communications intern, I want to see how strategic marketing and storytelling can influence community behavior. How do we turn a social media post into a real-world movement?
I am so excited to bridge the gap between my background in International Relations and the local action happening right here at OC Coastkeeper. I’m ready to clean our waters!
