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.

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 education and outreach.

As I reflect on my journey as a Chef Andrew Scholar with Debris Free Oceans (DFO), many great things come to mind. As a curious and active individual, I have been able to learn and put my knowledge into practice through educational talks, beach and land cleanups, tabling events, and policy engagement activities.

When I began my training in August 2023, learning about microplastics and their effects on our environment and health was overwhelming. I was also concerned about how the educational talks would go since English is not my first language, and I had been in the country for only two years. However, this did not stop me from engaging with the material and, more importantly, transmitting this valuable information to my community. I became more confident with public speaking, and I am grateful to the DFO team for pushing me out of my comfort zone. I had never imagined myself leading cleanups with almost 150 students and having a successful day, but through DFO, I experienced it.

These ten months with DFO not only allowed me to raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution in our communities but also helped me become a Miamian. I learned from my community, discovered places I had never been to before, and had the chance to meet incredible people.

I am grateful for the opportunity to advocate for our environment through this internship and for the amazing memories I created during this time. I want to recognize the role of the DFO staff in this fantastic experience. Thanks Bonnie, Bethany, Maddie, Caiti, and Amanda for all your support and guidance.