I was given the opportunity to travel to China to attend the Seminar on Building Capacity for Blue Economy Development in Caribbean Countries. It was a journey that took me four days to get there, from Guyana to Panama, to Paris, and finally to China, and the same for the return trip. Despite the long journey, it was an experience that blended learning, culture, and discovery in the best way possible.  

The seminar provided a deeper understanding of the Blue Economy, focusing on how countries can use ocean resources sustainably to support growth and innovation, not just in coastal areas. Discussions covered renewable marine energy, ocean-based technologies, and green port logistics, highlighting the link between environmental responsibility and economic opportunity. 

One session that stood out to me focused on desalination, which immediately made me think of Shell Beach Protected Area, where water scarcity is a recurring challenge. Exploring mobile desalination systems could one day help support conservation teams there, if implemented with care for both cost and environmental impact.  

One of the biggest cultural adjustments for me was the food. Authentic Chinese cuisine is very different from what we are used to in Guyana’s Chinese restaurants; the flavours were more subtle, and a lot of the ingredients were unfamiliar. While I was very open to trying new things, I will admit that I could not fully adjust to some of the food. Still, it was a fascinating and sometimes surprising culinary adventure that reminded me how diverse our world truly is.  

Throughout my weeks there, our days were well-balanced between formal style sessions and field visits. Everywhere we went, people seemed genuinely curious about us, and often wanted to take our photos. At first, it caught me off guard, but I realized it came from a place of interest. It became one of those small but memorable parts of the trip that reminded me how important cultural exchanges can be.  

Before visiting, I imagined China as a place of endless factories, high-rises, and little greenery. But as we travelled through Tianjin, Beijing, and Shenzhen, that image changed completely. I was struck by the abundance of trees, gardens, and green spaces woven throughout the cities. China’s efforts to integrate nature into urban planning left a lasting impression and reminded me that sustainable development can look modern, balanced, and green all at once. 

On our final day, we visited the zoo, hoping to see the famous giant pandas, but they were asleep! Even so, it was a rewarding ending to an exchange that taught me so much, not just about marine development, but about people, culture, and perspective. 

This experience offered me so much more than academic and professional insights. It challenged my assumptions, broadened my understanding of global environmental strategies, and reminded me how much we can learn from each other when we approach collaboration with curiosity and respect. 

This experience reinforced the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in addressing environmental challenges. For us at the Protected Areas Trust, these lessons strengthen our ongoing efforts to promote innovation, sustainability and resilience across Guyana’s protected areas. Whether through technology, partnerships, or policy, our goal remains the same: to ensure that development and conservation go hand in hand.