There were so many highlights from my trip to Borneo that it is hard to choose just a few because the whole experience was something I will never forget.

This was my first trip abroad at 15 years old, so being able to travel somewhere as special as Borneo was already an amazing experience for me. Through the Junior Volunteer Programme at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, I got the opportunity to travel to Malaysia, including Semporna and Sipadan, and experience places that I had only heard about.

One of the biggest highlights was getting the opportunity to do hands-on husbandry work with the animals. When we worked with the orang-utans and sun bears, we weren’t directly interacting with them or handling them. Instead, we helped to take care of their environments by cleaning their enclosures and helping to improve areas for the animals. We also worked on different enclosures throughout our time there and helped to rebuild a gharial pond.

Getting to do this type of work was really rewarding because we were not just there to observe the animals, we were actually able to contribute and help to make their environment better.

Another huge highlight was getting to dive. I got to see sharks, nudibranches and so many other amazing ocean species. Being underwater and seeing all of this marine life in its natural environment was such an incredible experience.

It was completely different from seeing animals in an aquarium because I was actually experiencing their environment myself. It made me appreciate the ocean and everything that lives in it so much more.

We also stayed at a place on the river where we went on morning and evening river cruises. These were some of the most peaceful but exciting parts of the trip because we never knew what we might see. One of the most amazing moments was seeing an elephant during one of the river cruises. Seeing such a large animal in its natural environment was something I will never forget.

Getting to interact with the local community meant a lot to me. We were able to spend time with some of the local children and people in the area, and we got to visit a local community centre, where we were able to give back to the community.

But one of the biggest things for me on this trip that made it so amazing was the people I got to experience it with. Being able to stay in the same room, spend so much time together, and experience everything side by side made the trip even more special. There was so much laughter, and we made so many memories that I will never forget. Even the little moments of just talking, joking around and spending time together made the experience so much better.

I am genuinely so grateful that I got to go on this trip with the people I did. The friendships and memories we made will always be a special part of the experience for me. Borneo was such an incredible trip, but having the right people around me made it even more unforgettable.

Before this trip, I already knew that conservation and protecting the environment were important, but being in Borneo made me understand it in a completely different way. It is one thing to learn about animals and ecosystems, but it is another thing to actually be there and see how much wildlife depends on healthy environments.

Doing husbandry work with the orang-utans and sun bears gave me a better understanding of everything that goes into caring for animals. Cleaning and maintaining their enclosures, helping to rebuild spaces, and working on projects such as the gharial pond — a lot of it is the everyday work that helps create a safe and healthy environment for animals.

Animals such as orang-utans, sun bears, elephants and all of the marine life while diving also made me think more about how important it is to protect their habitats.

The trip showed me that conservation is something that connects people all around the world. It made me realise that conservation is not just the responsibility of one country or one group of people. Everyone has a role to play, even through small actions.

The Junior Volunteer Programme at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo has had a really big impact on my life. It has given me the opportunity to explore different career paths and has helped me to build a strong background in animal care and husbandry. Before joining the programme, I knew I enjoyed animals, but being a junior volunteer allowed me to learn much more about them and understand what it is like to work with and care for them.

The programme has also helped me to grow as a person. I have met so many new people, made great friendships, and had experiences that I never expected to have at my age. Being part of the programme has pushed me to try new things, step outside my comfort zone, and be open to new opportunities.

One of the biggest examples of that was getting to take my first trip abroad at 15 years old and travelling all the way to Borneo. I never imagined that joining a Junior Volunteer Programme would eventually lead to an experience like that. Getting to travel with other people from the programme, learn about another country, experience a different culture, and see so many incredible animals was something I will always be grateful for.

If I could give advice to another student thinking about applying, I would tell them to go for it and take every opportunity that comes with the programme. You never know where it might lead you. It is not just about volunteering or working with animals — it is about learning, meeting people, building confidence, discovering new interests, giving back, and creating memories that you will carry with you.

• Osheah Douglas is a junior volunteer at the Bermuda Zoological Society