Gap Year Alumni: Kailey Koshorek

Tell us about yourself prior to Forfar! Where is your hometown? Where did you go to school? How old are you?

My name is Kailey Koshorek and I am from White Lake, Michigan. From a young age I have always had a large interest in marine sciences, stemming from visits to Florida to see my aunt and grandparents. After I graduated high school, I attended the University of Michigan where I earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and Oceanography. I am currently 22 years old, and graduated college in May of 2025. After I graduated, I knew I wanted to pursue higher education, but was unsure on what type of research that I wanted to pursue in marine biology. That led me to take a gap year, where I chose to attend Forfar Field Station as a gap year student, which was one of the most transformative experiences that I have had!

How did you hear about the Forfar Marine Science Program?

During my senior year of college, I began researching different programs or internships to pursue during my gap year. I found the Forfar Marine Science Program and knew that it was the perfect opportunity for me to spend some time away from home gaining new experiences and become fully immersed in a new environment with like-minded people.

What were some of your favorite parts of the program?

My absolute favorite part of the program was its strong emphasis on experiential, hands-on learning. Instead of solely learning concepts in the classroom, we applied what we learned in the field almost every day though both land-based and boat-based field trips. Each day provided a new opportunity to gain practical experience, explore the unique ecosystems of Andros Island, learn how to scuba dive, earn new certifications, and connect with members of the local community to learn about their experiences and relationship with the environment. The topics covered in lectures were continuously reinforced through real-world field experiences, making the material engaging, memorable, and so incredibly fun!

I strongly believe that hands-on, immersive experiences are one of the most effective ways to learn, and this approach aligned perfectly with my goals during the Marine Science Gap Year Program. The combination of academic learning, field experience, cultural immersion, and personal growth made it an incredibly rewarding experience that helped shape my scientific interests, career development, and personal growth.

I can’t forget another one of my favorite parts of the program, which are the people! The staff, interns, and fellow students on station create an amazing community that is always willing to answer questions and offer support. Some of my favorite memories were made outside of class and fieldwork, whether that was sharing meals, studying together, having movie nights, and especially playing and learning new card games!

What was the most challenging aspect or task?

The most challenging aspect of my experience at Forfar was adjusting to an active and ever-changing schedule. While the staff provides a weekly schedule, field activities are often dependent on weather and environmental conditions, which means plans can sometimes change at short notice. Learning to be flexible and adaptable was an important skill that I developed throughout the program. Over time, I learned how to embrace unexpected changes and make the most of every opportunity!

What was it like living with other students you hadn’t met before? Do you still keep in contact with anyone?

I really enjoyed living on station with other students that I had never met before. I honestly was not too nervous living with people I had never met before as I had some prior experience living with new people during college, but I quickly realized there was no reason to be nervous anyway! Since we lived, learned, and explored together every day, it didn’t take long for us to get to know one another and build meaningful friendships. There is so much opportunity for you to connect with your peers on station and create bonds that are unique by sharing so many experiences together in such a short amount of time. I still keep in touch with a few of the girls in my cohort, especially my bunkmate! I am also still in contact with some of the interns that were working on station when I was there. The people I met were a huge part of what made the experience so special and I am so grateful to have built friendships that have lasted well beyond the program.

What advice would you give incoming students? Would you recommend this program to others?

I would absolutely recommend this program to others!! The biggest piece of advice for incoming students is to arrive with an open mind, a positive attitude, and a willingness to try new things. The more enthusiastic and engaged you are, the more you will get out of the experience! There may be times where you are challenged or pushed out of your comfort zone, but those moments often lead to the most growth and become some of your favorite memories. I truly believe that you get out of an experience what you put into it. If you approach the program with a positive attitude and an open mind, you’ll be much more likely to enjoy the experience and make the most out of every opportunity.

What would you say to help ease parents’ concerns about their child traveling to the remote location of Andros?

I would reassure parents that their students are well supported by both an experienced and caring staff throughout the entire program. While Andros is a remote island, that is also part of what makes the experience so unique! The staff does an excellent job creating a safe, welcoming environment where all students can learn and grow. Living in a new environment helps students further develop independence, confidence, and problem-solving skills, just like it did for me!

Where are you now? Are you attending college or starting a career path? If so, where and what are you studying?

During my time at the field station, I became more motivated to further my diving and marine science career. That ultimately led me to accept an internship at a dive center in Key Largo, Florida, where I am working toward becoming a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and learning how things work at a high-volume dive center. While gaining new PADI scuba certifications, I am learning how to repair scuba gear, work to repair boat engines, fill scuba tanks, become a first mate on our boats, and work as a dive guide, to just name a few experiences! After completing my internship and gaining experience as a scuba instructor, I hope to continue my education in marine biology and pursue opportunities that combine my passion for scientific research, conservation, and diving! I started my journey with scuba diving and continued my journey in marine sciences through the Marine Science Gap Year Program, which helped solidify my career goals and inspired me to be where I am today!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you are thinking about participating in the Forfar Marine Science Gap Year Program, just do it! I would absolutely encourage you to take a step out of your comfort zone and embrace this beautiful, one of a kind opportunity. Without Forfar, I wouldn't have found my passion for diving, nor had such a unique opportunity to further my career in marine sciences.