Tag Archives: CEI intern

Alumnus James Murray (F’11) Returns to the Cape as an Intern

“Just over three years ago I was rumbling along in a van on my way from Rock Sound to The Island School, clutching my backpack tightly and wondering what I had gotten myself into. I had no idea that the next three and a half months would be the most challenging, rewarding and enlightening time of my life.

I attended The Island School as a student in the fall of my junior year in 2011 and I’m lucky to be back this spring as an intern with the Sea Turtle Research and Conservation team. It’s truly amazing to be back at a place that had such an impact on my education and overall growth as an individual. No matter where I walk on campus I’m flooded with memorable experiences, lessons I learned, and friends I made while at The Island School. The reason my Island School experience was so memorable is the same reason I found myself applying to be an intern for this spring. The unique nature of this place fosters an exceptional learning and professional environment that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world. Not to mention the ability to learn and experience rich Bahamian culture through the organization’s efforts to connect with the greater community. It was especially cool to arrive on campus and see how the organization has already grown over the past few years to include Hallig House, CSD, and the new intern housing under construction. I’m excited to see what the next several months will bring.” -James Murray

Alumni on Campus: Mikala Cooper

Another of the many alums currently on campus, Mikala (Mik) Cooper (F07) joins team CEI for the summer frmo Bowdoin College in Maine. Though her major is undecided at the moment, Mik is leaning towards a studio art degree in photography. As a studio arts scholar, Mik does not get much opportunity to get her hands dirty in the world of the sciences, particularly not in the marine sciences. Her summer at CEI is giving her a chance to reconnect with the sciences the marine environment that she grew so fond of during her semester at The Islands School.

This is Mik’s second trip back to Eleuthera since leaving her semester, as she was on island for the 10th year celebration. Mik confesses that she loves both fish and lettuce, so it’s not a stretch to see her working alongside Josh Shultz in the aquaponics system at CEI. As an intern she enjoys seeing the “other side” of campus than she was used to as a student. As is the case with many alumni who return as CEI interns, Mik also relishes the freedom she has to explore the Cape beyond campus, and Eleuthera beyond the Cape.

Mik is a leo, and naturally her spirit animal is a lion, so if you see her around campus, be sure to give her a roar and say hello!