Being part of the Cíes Islands volunteer camp was life-changing. Every morning, we woke up early to clean the beaches, removing plastic and helping protect nesting zones for seagulls and other species. I learned how much small actions can help preserve a fragile ecosystem. What touched me most was seeing baby seagulls hatching near areas we had helped clean and fence off. It made me feel connected to nature in a powerful way.

I joined the Cíes camp to improve my Spanish and help the environment—and I gained so much more. I worked on trail maintenance, helping prevent erosion on hiking paths used by tourists. We also gave short talks to visitors about responsible tourism. I was surprised how open people were to learning, and how much of an impact we could make by just sharing what we knew. Plus, the views at sunset from the cliffs were unforgettable.

Volunteering on the Cíes Islands taught me teamwork, resilience, and the value of protecting our planet. We monitored marine life, collected data on mussel beds, and helped set up informative signs to raise awareness. It was physically demanding sometimes, but we supported each other and made great friends from different countries. I left with a sense of purpose and the hope to study marine biology.