I am a recent graduate of Dickinson College where I graduated with my Bachelors of Science in Biology and Environmental Science.  As I begin on my post grad journey it is time for me to reflect on my past and think about my future.  The highlight of my college experience was exploring the world and immersing myself in new cultures.  At Dickinson I studied abroad in Turks and Caicos as well as Tanzania.  I participated in a service trip to Belize, and conducted research in Maui.  These memories are everlasting, and have definitely shaped my personal and career goals.  I know for certain that I want to pursue a career in marine conservation.  I love working with communities as well as conducting scientific research.  I aspire to find a profession that will link these interests and help me work with local people to conserve and manage their marine ecosystem.

Before I embark on my future career path, I would like to take a step back and use this time to travel, I want to see the world, connect with nature, and fall in love with new places.  To begin this journey, I have decided I would first like to experience my own “backyard”- the United States.  My mom, Lynda Tanabe, and I will depart form Maine, today, May 29th, and head west towards California. This trip will last about a month, and we plan on visiting the nation’ greatest national parks.  We will begin at Niagara Falls, and head towards Mount Rushmore/ Badlands area where we will camp. Additional stops include Yellow Stone, Grand Teton, Zion, Arches, Page Arizona, Las Vegas, and then California is TBD. I will end in Long Beach, California, where I will ship my car home to Hawaii.

Life after this trip is very uncertain, but if I have the funds I aim to continue traveling.  I hope to visit Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, and India.

Today marks a new beginning, and I am so excited to see what the future holds.