N.I. Methodology

As a Nature Interpreter, you will be put on a comprehensive program which will require you to exercise your mind through experiential learning (by way of Observation, Analyzing, Interpretation and Realization) and be physically involved in conservation efforts.

Some of the activities in the NIP include :-

• forest and shoreline observation
• reef surveys
• beach restoration
• turtle conservation

Engagement and dialogue with fellow interpreters and tourists at Bubbles are also part of the NIP. You will get first hand experiences on the front lines of marine and turtle conservation in the Perhentian Islands Malaysia. You will also help to collect scientific data through these activities that will be presented to the Malaysian government and local universities to help direct future conservation in the Perhentian Islands.

A Nature Interpreter is put through four stages of thought processes in order to understand Mother Nature’s language.

Observation: Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting their surroundings. At this stage, interpreters are asked to take note of what caught their attention and why.

Analyze: After observations, ample time and space are given to interpreters to reflect on what they have observed. Through this reflection, it is hoped that more questions are raised about the environments which they were observing. During analysis, initial reasoning will be achieved and here is where experiential learning starts to take form.

Interpretation: From analyzing observations, questions are raised. In the interpretation stage, interpreters are encouraged to share with fellow interpreters their findings and then attach meaning to their feelings and thoughts of those findings. This way of sharing allows interpreters to rethink old perceptions and experiences and attach new meaning to them, thus enabling new interpretations. We call this an update to the experience library, where previous notions and understandings are altered and updated with new meaning. In this stage too, interpreters are reminded of certain factors that may have a hand in influencing interpretation – moods, time of day, physical surrounding, personal biases, past experiences, symbolism etc.

Realization: Once interpreters accept their new interpretations, this realization brings an about change to their experience library and have on-going repercussions to how they interpret the world.