Gap Year Alumni: Isabel Sexton
/Isabel attend our Fall 2020 Gap Year and is our newest Student Ambassador, along with Faith Hertz, for our Forfar Marine Science Program.
Tell us about yourself prior to Forfar!
Hi! I’m Isabel. I’m from Clyde Park, Montana, a town with a population of only 300 people! I grew up on a small farm and commuted to a high school 25 miles away. I am 19, and go to Lewis and Clark College in Portland! I love to hike, ski, hang out with my dogs, drink tea, and after Forfar, scuba dive.
How did you hear about the Forfar Marine Science Program?
I was in the second semester of my freshman year of college when Covid-19 got crazy. I decided I would postpone my sophomore year to take a little break from college. Forfar caught my eye immediately, and after further research it seemed like just the right place for me.
What was one (or some) of your favorite parts of the program?
Just waking up on the beach every morning is incredible, but the way you interact with Andros and the ocean at Forfar is really special. SCUBA diving blew my mind, I had never spent that much time underwater and seeing the variety of reef fish, the colors of the corals, and all of the funky little organisms was definitely one of my favorite parts. I also love the blue holes on Andros! Both oceanic and inland, the blue holes in the ocean house super cool shipwrecks, and the inland blue holes are just utterly gorgeous. The connections you build to the other students and instructors/staff while doing these activities are really great too! We all are in a new environment, we’re all just figuring it out, and we’re all pushing our comfort zones. All of these factors make for long time friendships, and connections, which I am so grateful for.
What was the most challenging aspect or task?
Because I came to Forfar during Covid, we had to quarantine for the first ten days. While we were in quarantine all of the students were still strangers to each other. Spending all day, everyday together was really intimidating at the beginning. Spending ten days on station on the pristine beach with new people really isn’t so bad though, and by the end of the quarantine our group had bonded so tightly! Also, being able to explore the island after our quarantine was a very exciting time: going to the restaurants, blue holes, other towns, and boat trips made the quarantine time absolutely worth it. The other most challenging aspect, for me, was the bugs!! Bring your bug spray, baby oil, cozy socks, and pants!
What was it like living with the other students you hadn't met before? Do you still keep in contact with anyone?
Living with the other students was definitely daunting, but you adjust quickly. My roommate and I were both nervous at the beginning, but by the end of the trip we were super close. I have made some really incredible friends on this trip, I feel very grateful to Forfar for introducing me to them. Spending so much time together doing really cool, challenging things makes for a solid and cohesive group. I really enjoyed the dynamic. I hear from Forfar friends every day, even after not seeing each other for a while we are all still in touch! I hope and plan to see many of them again in the future.
What advice would you give incoming students? Would you recommend this program to anyone?
I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone who loves to be outside, in the ocean, in super cool lectures, or in nature. I had very little ocean experience coming into this program, and I left feeling so comfortable in the water. The staff is so supportive, sweet, and helpful. If you’re worried about doing something they’ve got your back. Don’t be afraid to build relationships with everyone on station, not just the students! Also, live in the moment, six weeks flies by! Drink lots of hot cocoa (pro tip- hot cocoa after scuba diving)! Even if you feel like you aren’t a science person, this program is for you.
What would you say to ease parents minds about their child traveling to the remote location of Andros?
I have Type 1 Diabetes, so my mom was a little worried about me being on Andros too. I can only praise Forfar for how they deal with adversity, there is a plan in place for every scenario. Andros is remote, but that just means more beautiful nature to explore! If you feel nervous about coming to Andros the staff is so on top of it, they can talk you through any questions you may have. Forfar is a really safe place to be, I never had any reason to be worried.
Where are you now?
I am currently back at Lewis and Clark College, in Portland, Oregon. I am majoring in Environmental Studies, and hoping to go to law school for environmental law after that! I have continued to scuba dive, and hope to further my certifications while I’m still in college. I love to go to the coast on weekends with my friends, but it’s chilly! I definitely miss the Bahamian beaches!
Anything else you want to add?
I am so so so glad I applied and so happy I took the gap semester! If you are feeling worried about college, don’t go immediately! Go hang out in the Bahamas for a bit first!
As our Student Ambassadors Isabel and Faith are happy to talk to any parents or students who are interested in enrolling in the Forfar Marine Science Program. Email office@intlfieldstudies.org to get connected!
