MERO BLOGSPOT & ARTICLES
From Social Sciences to Marine Conservation: An Early Experience as an Intern at MERO Foundation
Creator: Nurul Fajriyah
Published: 25 February 2026
As a graduate of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences with a strong interest in sustainable development and environmental issues, I never imagined that I would one day work alongside marine scientists. My academic background is neither marine biology nor ocean science. Yet it was precisely this difference that made my first two weeks as an intern at the MERO Foundation a meaningful learning experience that opened new perspectives on marine conservation.
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Before being accepted as an awardee of the Intern Scholarship Program at MERO Foundation, I went through two stages of selection. The first stage was conducted individually with MERO Foundation’s main Board Members, Pak Pras and Bu Resi, and focused on self-introduction, academic and personal background, as well as expectations for joining the Community & Outreach (C&O) Division. The second stage involved case studies on coastal community development, socio-environmental challenges, and simulations of program design. This process assessed not only analytical capacity, but also communication skills, argument-building, and the ability to work collaboratively. From this experience, it became clear to me that MERO Foundation is not merely seeking individuals with strong academic credentials, but those who are able to collaborate effectively and think creatively.
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During the first week of the internship, we were given time to adapt to the working environment and organizational dynamics at MERO. Gradually, we were encouraged to explore ideas more freely, particularly those related to marine conservation and community empowerment. One of the strategic directions conveyed by the leadership was the vision for MERO Foundation to develop as a marine science–based tourism destination. This concept goes beyond recreational marine tourism, aiming instead to provide a meaningful, responsible, and educational learning experience. However, MERO Foundation’s location in Tulamben Village, approximately a two- to three hour journey from Denpasar, posed a challenge in designing short-term visit programs.
© MERO Foundation
Through internal discussions within the Community & Outreach team, the idea emerged to focus on longer stays that would allow for deeper and more impactful experiences. This led to the development of the Youth Volunteer Program, themed “Combining Marine Protection Experiences with MERO Foundation in Tulamben, Bali.” The program is designed as a volunteer-based initiative open to young people aged 18–35 from various countries, offering an experience that is not only participatory, but also responsible and educational.
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The program activities include coral reef transplantation, beach and underwater clean-ups, educational and teaching activities, composting practices, the introduction of environmentally friendly plastics, and community-based plastic waste management. These activities are structured to ensure that participants do not simply “come and help,” but also gain an understanding of the social, ecological, and cultural contexts of the coastal community in Tulamben. Participants are offered accommodation options ranging from dormitories to private rooms, as well as choices between diving and non-diving activities, allowing flexibility based on individual interests and comfort levels.
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More than just a program, the Youth Volunteer Program serves as a meeting point between scientific knowledge, practical action, and reflection. Participants are invited to witness firsthand the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems while becoming directly involved in sustainable solutions. On a personal level, my involvement in the program’s formulation reaffirmed that marine conservation is not solely the domain of science. Social approaches, effective communication, and a deep understanding of local communities play equally critical roles.
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My first two weeks at MERO Foundation have been a valuable learning process that broadened my understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in marine conservation efforts. This experience strengthened my belief that a social and political science background has a strategic role in bridging scientific knowledge with real-world action, enabling environmental programs to be designed in a more inclusive, realistic, and sustainable manner.
Dari Ilmu Sosial ke Perlindungan Laut: Pengalaman Awal sebagai Intern di MERO Foundation
Creator: Nurul Fajriyah
Published: 25 Februari 2026
Sebagai lulusan Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Politik dengan ketertarikan pada isu Sustainable Development dan kelestarian lingkungan, saya tidak pernah membayangkan akan bekerja berdampingan dengan para saintis kelautan. Latar belakang saya bukan biologi laut maupun ilmu kelautan. Namun justru dari perbedaan itulah, dua minggu pertama saya sebagai intern di MERO Foundation menjadi pengalaman pembelajaran yang membuka perspektif baru tentang perlindungan laut.
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Sebelum diterima sebagai awardee Intern Scholarship di MERO Foundation, saya melalui dua tahapan seleksi. Tahap pertama dilakukan secara individual bersama Board Member utama MERO Foundation, Pak Pras dan Bu Resi, dengan fokus pada perkenalan diri, latar belakang, serta ekspektasi untuk bergabung di Divisi Community & Outreach (C&O). Tahap kedua dilakukan melalui studi kasus yang membahas pengembangan komunitas pesisir, tantangan sosial-lingkungan, serta simulasi perumusan program. Proses ini tidak hanya menilai kapasitas analisis, tetapi juga cara berkomunikasi, membangun argumen, dan bekerja dalam tim. Dari sini saya melihat bahwa MERO Foundation tidak sekadar mencari individu yang cakap secara akademik, tetapi juga yang mampu berkolaborasi dan berpikir kreatif.
© MERO Foundation
Memasuki minggu pertama sebagai intern, kami diberikan waktu untuk beradaptasi dengan lingkungan kerja dan dinamika organisasi. Secara bertahap, kami mulai diberi ruang yang luas untuk mengembangkan ide, khususnya yang berkaitan dengan perlindungan laut dan pemberdayaan masyarakat. Salah satu arahan strategis dari pimpinan adalah visi agar MERO Foundation ke depan dapat berkembang sebagai tujuan pariwisata berbasis marine science. Bukan sekadar wisata laut, tetapi pengalaman belajar yang bermakna, bertanggung jawab, dan berkelanjutan. Namun, lokasi MERO Foundation yang berada di Dusun Tulamben, dengan jarak tempuh sekitar dua hingga tiga jam dari Denpasar, menjadi tantangan tersendiri dalam merancang konsep kunjungan singkat.
Dari diskusi internal bersama tim Community & Outreach, muncul gagasan untuk memaksimalkan kualitas pengalaman dengan durasi tinggal yang lebih panjang. Dari sinilah lahir konsep Youth Volunteer Program dengan tema “Combining Marine Protection Experiences with MERO Foundation in Tulamben, Bali.” Program ini dirancang sebagai volunteer-based project yang terbuka bagi pemuda usia 18–35 tahun dari berbagai negara, dengan tujuan memberikan pengalaman yang tidak hanya bersifat partisipatif, tetapi juga bertanggung jawab dan edukatif.
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Kegiatan yang dirancang mencakup transplantasi terumbu karang, beach and underwater clean up, kegiatan edukasi dan mengajar, pembuatan kompos, pengenalan plastik ramah lingkungan, hingga pengelolaan sampah plastik berbasis komunitas. Seluruh aktivitas disusun agar peserta tidak hanya “datang dan membantu”, tetapi juga memahami konteks sosial, ekologis, dan budaya masyarakat pesisir Tulamben. Peserta juga diberikan pilihan tempat tinggal berupa dormitory atau kamar privat, serta opsi aktivitas menyelam maupun non-diving, sesuai minat dan kenyamanan masing-masing.
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Lebih dari sekadar sebuah program, Youth Volunteer Program menjadi ruang pertemuan antara ilmu pengetahuan, aksi nyata, dan refleksi. Peserta diajak untuk melihat langsung dampak aktivitas manusia terhadap laut, sekaligus terlibat dalam solusi yang berkelanjutan. Bagi saya pribadi, keterlibatan dalam perumusan program ini menegaskan bahwa isu perlindungan laut tidak hanya berada di ranah sains. Pendekatan sosial, komunikasi yang efektif, serta pemahaman terhadap masyarakat lokal memiliki peran yang sama pentingnya.
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Dua minggu pertama di MERO Foundation menjadi proses belajar yang memperkaya pemahaman saya tentang pentingnya kolaborasi lintas disiplin dalam upaya perlindungan laut. Pengalaman ini memperkuat keyakinan bahwa latar belakang sosial-politik memiliki peran strategis dalam menjembatani ilmu pengetahuan dan aksi nyata di lapangan, sehingga program lingkungan dapat dirancang secara lebih inklusif, realistis, dan berkelanjutan.