I’ve been swimming my whole life; I’ve been a lifeguard, a swim instructor, you name it! When it comes to water, I have always felt at home, so you can imagine my surprise when I struggled to keep up with this deceptively speedy creature. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with sea turtles helped to simplify my state of mind. Snorkeling makes the outside world a little quieter, tuning out the extraneous and amplifying the “now.” It’s also incredibly liberating and fun, especially if you meet new friends along the way. If I ever get the chance to return to the Galápagos, I’d love a friendly re-match with my new buddy.

GRACE BYRNE EDUCATION INTERN, THE SCOTT ARBORETUM OF SWARTHMORE COLLEGE Professional Development for Educators in the Galápagos Islands