Written by: Mackenzie Capers
The Chef Andrew Scholar Program is a paid internship for college students based in South Florida who are passionate about empowering their community to go zero-waste through outreach, education, and advocacy.
When I first transferred to the University of Miami during my sophomore year, I felt completely out of place. I had left behind the comfort of my previous school and stepped into a new city where I didn’t know a single person. Miami was vibrant and full of life, but I found it difficult to connect and struggled to build meaningful friendships. I wanted more than just to attend classes and pass exams—I wanted to feel like I belonged. I craved a sense of community, a way to get involved, and a deeper connection to the city I now called home. That search led me to Debris Free Oceans.
Joining DFO as a Chef Andrew Scholar completely changed my perspective on Miami. It wasn’t just an internship—it was the gateway to a community that quickly started to feel like family. I found people who cared about the same things I did and shared a passion for protecting our environment. I also found a space to grow both professionally and academically. Through my time with DFO, I learned about the scale of plastic pollution, what it means to live a truly zero-waste lifestyle, and how even small, local actions can contribute to global change.
More than anything, I discovered the power of community. Through beach cleanups, educational events, and day-to-day interactions, I saw how much can be accomplished when people come together with a shared purpose. I learned to speak publicly with confidence, to network at events with ease, and to communicate the importance of environmental action in a way that resonates with others. I also began to see the value in staying informed— understanding the science, keeping up with research, and using knowledge to guide our impact.
Now, when I walk through Miami, I no longer feel like an outsider. I see the neighborhoods we’ve cleaned, the people we’ve inspired, and the lasting connections we’ve built. I see a city that I’ve grown to love and a purpose that continues to guide me forward. My time as a Chef Andrew Scholar with Debris Free Oceans has helped shape my academic path, deepen my passion for sustainability, and most importantly, helped me find my place in this community. I am incredibly grateful and indebted to Amanda, Maddie, and Caiti for believing in me and helping me grow into the person I am today.
