I've realized that I am horrible at keeping up with a blog, but I've been busy lately. This past week and the one before it have been the best weeks I've had during my internship. The trainers have been letting us (more and more) have a whale to ourselves during a session. We're basically given a bucket (more than likely Beethoven's bucket) and we're able to feed and do our given behaviors with him during the session. We have trainers watching us, but they're not on the same platform and most of the time also have a whale of their own. I feel like I'm becoming more and more of a trainer, which is obviously more of a indication that I'm going towards the correct goal. It's such an exciting and very hard to describe feeling. I get nervous right before we step down to feed, but I feel so comfortable as soon as the whale stations up right in front of me. I can honestly say this has been the best experience in my life.
I've also accepted another internship after GAQ. I will be interning at Miami Seaquarium for the summer and it's a PAID internship! I couldn't be more happy! I start there on May 1 and am looking forward to it. Which leaves about 28 days left in Atlanta, 18 of those being at GAQ. I am very sad I'll be leaving the whales, trainers, interns, and this place that I have come to love but I realize that the more experience you get at different places makes you a more rounded person. I have learned a lot from the trainers whether it be training or just life along with so much that I have learned from my co-interns.
This past weekend, my mom and I did the Beluga & Friends Interactive Program and my mom LOVED it. Here are some pictures:
Hello! Your blog popped up on google when I searched Beluga Whale internships and seeing as you are thoroughly enjoying your internship at the Georgia Aquarium I thought I'd ask a few questions. (Sorry if anything repetitive, I don't have time to read the whole blog!)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I'm assuming you did the "mammals & birds" internship as that one mentions the belugas and harbor seals? I currently do research on belugas and orcas through my college at a marine park in canada and absolutely love them!
On the GAQ site the mention only a summer internship deadline for this particular opportunity and I'm wondering how you found out about a january-may one? Additionally I transferred to my current school and have one year left. Are you doing this internship as a recent graduate? Was not to sure by the GAQ site if they accepted recently graduated students or only undergrads (which would stink seeing as I only have one summer at this school half of which will be in S. africa doing research coursework and the deadlines for the GAQ long since passed).
Thank you for your help! (:
-Haylee
Haylee,
ReplyDeleteYes the belugas & harbor seals are in the mammals & birds area. The GAQ does internships year-round, basically for a semester. So Jan-May May-Aug & Aug-Jan. I have not graduated college yet, I am a junior and currently still doing classes online. I hope this helped!
-Taylor