Volun­teering Greece - Lena

Profile

Name: Lena

Age: 18

Project: Sea Turtle Conservation in Greece

Location: Lixouri

Duration: August - 2 weeks

Rating

Support from the Natucate team :

Arrival:

Partner on site:

Accommodation:

Turtle protection in Greece – Review: Seven Questions to Lena

1. Could you give us a brief overview of your tasks in the project?

• Observing and documenting the social behavior of sea turtles at the harbor and on the beach
• Conducting beach measurements to analyze the morphology and seasonal changes of the coastal environment
• Searching for microplastics in the sand
• Monitoring nests and newly hatched turtles, including night shifts

2. What was the biggest challenge for you during the project?

• The night shifts: Watching over the nests scattered along the beach in the rain with just two people was exhausting.
• Cleanliness of the villa: I saw some ants; also there was a lack of kitchen utensils, and we only had one bread knife.
• The overwhelming sense of responsibility during the first few days, although you get used to it over time.
• Challenging bike tours on hilly roads.

3) Was there something you particularly enjoyed, or something that left a negative impression?

Positive:

• The helpfulness and dedication of individual supervisors
• The diverse flora and fauna at the beaches
• Evening activities
• The free time during lunch breaks, which could be used for shopping, cooking, resting, or swimming
• Availability of bikes, although some needed repairs despite regular checks

Ideas for improvement:

• At the beginning, I felt a bit isolated on the unfamiliar beaches.
• Noise from nearby flight paths in the villa until around 11 p.m.

4) Did you have any expectations before starting the project? Were they met, disappointed, or exceeded?

At first, it was an adjustment because the hygiene in the villa didn’t meet my usual standards. There were ants in the room, and the mosquito nets were partially damaged. Minor repairs were needed in the accommodation, like a clogged faucet. However, the relaxed Greek atmosphere and positive mindset made up for these issues.

5) Did you do anything in your free time that you would recommend to future participants?

• Boat tours, especially the “White Rocks” tour
• Exploring various beaches
• Taking enough time to relax

6) What tips would you give to future participants?

• Plan your grocery shopping well, as transporting water is heavy, and the market is far from the accommodation.
• Plan sightseeing and beach visits in advance to make the most of your time.

7) Can you estimate how much extra cost you had on-site?

I had about 200-300 € in additional expenses, depending on individual needs.

8) Do you have any other suggestions or recommendations you’d like to share?

• Idea 1: Provide tents for night shifts to offer better protection during rainy nights.
• Idea 2: Improve the organization of night shifts, as two people are sometimes not enough.

Thank you Lena for joining us! We at Natucate take all feedback very seriously and maintain open and constructive communication with our project partners to make sure that the volunteer experience is improved wherever possible.