A Ross teenager, who has received an offer to study at Cambridge University, has just returned from a month working as a volunteer at a coral research station in Thailand.

Joshua Kershaw enjoyed coral gardening and removing ghost nets during his time at CORE sea in Ko Pha-ngan. CORE sea has trained scientists and works with volunteers to carry out marine conservation.

“I spent the majority of my time collecting data for scientific research and monitoring the health of the coral around the island,” said Joshua, a former pupil at Monmouth School for Boys. “I also spent days influencing the health of the reef with activities such as coral gardening and the removal of large ghost nets.”

It was a memorable experience for Joshua, who took his A levels last summer and has had an offer to read Veterinary Medicine at St John’s College, Cambridge.

“I had an unbelievable time with the project and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone,” he said. “I spent the first three days of my trip doing an open water course and I can’t think of a better place in the world for it.”See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.