Sharing Session With Mentor, Sandeep Beepat : Explains 'Sponge' until How to Improve English Knowledge

Recent climate change has been a problem for the past few years. Changes that occur is not in a positive direction but the current climate is not good because of disturbed ecosystems. Most disturbed ecosystems are due to population imbalances from a group of flora and fauna and the weather doesn’t support their way of life.

Well, on Friday (11/22) we had a conference call with one of the mentors from my scholarship program. This time the mentor explored the sponge in the sea. He is named Sandeep Beepat. Sandeep is pursuing doctoral education at Victoria University of Wellington since 2017, majoring in marine ecology. He had studied at the University of Mauritius. On his master's program, he raised the title of the thesis relating to the influence of climate change on the tropical lagoon sponge.

Sandeep explained to us that climate can be very dangerous for the marine ecosystem. Interesting fact is sponges that are like filters can make marine ecosystems better and cleaner. If the sponge is damaged, then coral reef habitat is also disturbed. So, you can imagine how the marine ecosystem will be disturbed if the sponge is damaged.

Sandeep's interest in sponges began in his undergraduate studies and has continued to be deepened to the present. Sandeep not only learns extensively from sponges but also studies DNA from various sponges. Sponges in different habitats and environments have different levels of resistance to different parameters

Okay, maybe I who have a different knowledge with Sandeep got new knowledge about the marine ecosystem. Actually I didn’t understand what was explained by him so it needs to be repeated several times. Sandeep knows that we don't understand because conversations are conducted in English which we don't normally do

Sandeep tolerated it and shared tips in learning languages. Not only English, Sandeep can speak French, Danish, Mauritius and others. Practicing listening to conversations and reading books are tips emphasized by him. With a lot of hearing and reading repeatedly, it will be more effective to learn it even in less conversation. Speaking in English will develop more as you practice hearing and reading

Sandeep's science articels

In my opinion, Sandeep is a person who wants to learn more from his high willingness and consistency in his research. Evidently, he has published four articles / scientific journals related to sponge. Besides that he is a person who tolerates us who are still in the learning and searching stages

Even though the conference call only runs for 30 minutes (because Sandeep has a meeting agenda), I gained new knowledge and also smoothed my English speaking. This is a lesson for me that if you want something, you can do it fully. If you want to be fluent in English, you have to be trained even though the environment is less supportive

At the end of the conversation, Sandeep motivated us that focus on something we like, concentrate on it and do your best.

Focus, concentrate and do your best