A Journey of Unplanned Memory and Unexpected Goodbyes
Hi everyone, my name is Edryana Samantha but most people call me Sam.
If I am being completely honest, I admit that my mindset was purely practical. As a Tourism Management student from Kolej Vokasional Sandakan 2, my primary goal was simply to complete my required industrial training and get over my study requirements. I expected long hours, routine tasks and a standard internship experience that would end with a polite handshake. What I never could have anticipated that step by step and day by day was actually this centre in Sepilok would slowly capture my heart so deeply, turning a simple academic requirement into an emotionally rich and life-changing chapter that makes saying goodbye one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
Taking selfie picture with Romolina as she’s busy searching for breakfast
From my very first day stepping into the centre, the quiet dedication of this centre began to reshape my entire perspective. Until this day, I was assigned to the Environmental Education unit where I spent my days on observation platforms, guiding local and international visitors, interpreting sun bear behaviors and sharing the sobering realities of wildlife threats. I transitioned from a quiet student unsure of her footing into a passionate voice for conservation and diligently spreading awareness on behalf of the sun bears. Every smile from a child discovering sun bears for the first time, every meaningful conversation with a traveler and every quiet moment spent watching the bears climb and forage filled me with a profound sense of purpose I had never felt before.
I capture Fulung’s picture on the tree through the spotting scope
Behind all of my growth was a team of extraordinary people who quickly became my family away from home. I want to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Mdm. Risnayati, and the Founder and CEO of BSBCC, Dr. Wong Siew Te, for their unwavering trust, wisdom and patience. My heart also goes out to the entire Environmental Education team, the shop staff, the bear care unit and every dedicated individual at BSBCC who embraced me with open arms. You didn't just teach me how to adapt to the professional world but you showed me the purpose of everything we do and the result from the smallest beginning to the biggest impact.
The best Environmental Education Unit team ever
My internship journey was further enriched when I had the opportunity to work directly with the Bear Care Unit. Stepping behind the scenes, I was involved in the essential daily routines of bear conservation from preparing food and feeding, tracking health conditions and assembling enrichment toys for the bears. Though my time at the Bear House was short, the impact it left on me was immense. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the bear keepers and to my buddy, Azwie, who walked alongside me every step of the way. He guided me through every task with so much care, helping me adapt quickly and making my time at the Bear House one of the absolute highlights of my entire 5 months and 2 weeks
Got to touch Kudat on his health check up
The Amazing Bear Care Unit
Looking back, BSBCC gave me far more than just work experience or academic credit, it gave me precious, irreplaceable memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. What started as just a place to complete my studies became the very place that taught me who I want to be. Leaving this sanctuary, the incredible staff and the resilient sun bears feels like leaving a piece of my soul behind in this centre. Thank you, BSBCC, for showing me that conservation is not just a career path, but a lifelong commitment of the heart. This isn't just the end of an internship but instead it is a journey I will cherish forever.
