By Bianca Peters, co-producer of WOW! the nature film
Some 26 pairs of eyes look at me expectantly. I click “play” and see the screen light up behind me. Faces soften, and a gentle “ahhhh” echoes through the room. On the screen, students from the “Kingdom Relations Minor” at The Hague University of Applied Sciences watch as a leatherback turtle uses its flippers to dig a deep hole in the sand. Carefully, she lets her eggs slide into the sand – a moment as vulnerable as it is powerful.
The auditorium of the University of Aruba is filled with special energy. These students are not here by chance. They have crossed the ocean to see Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire with their own eyes – not just to admire the beaches and the sun, but to truly understand what it means to be part of the Dutch Kingdom.
I watch them as the images continue. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, the flight of a Warawara in the golden morning light, a beautiful hummingbird bathing on a branch. This is a short teaser we created for “WOW! The Nature Film” during our research trip. As the images flash by, I notice the wonder in their eyes. Nature does something to people.
After the video ends, I look at the group. “What do you think?” I ask. Immediately, a student from the audience responds spontaneously: “WOW!” We all laugh – it’s such a pure reaction. Another student adds that she didn’t know there were bat caves on Aruba and that the Shoco – the endemic Aruban owl – moves its head in such a funny way.
I smile. This is exactly why I’m here – to show what is often unseen. The Caribbean islands are so often viewed through the lens of clichés. Sun, sea, and sand – that’s what people think. But behind that lies a world full of stories, lessons, and wonders. And telling those stories is why WOW! exists.
The students are curious. They want to know what it’s like to live in Aruba, what challenges exist regarding climate change, and how the relationship with the Netherlands is perceived. The questions are honest, sometimes confronting, but always sincere. And as I formulate my answers, I realize once again how important these kinds of encounters are.
I share with them about WOW! and how we are working on a series that captures the beauty and vulnerability of all six Caribbean islands. How nature here is not just a backdrop, but a main character in larger themes affecting our islands – such as economic diversification, sustainability, spatial planning, and regenerative tourism. “Nature tells us stories,” I say. “Stories of resilience, vulnerability, and balance; but also of how everything is connected – people, economy, culture, and environment. If we learn to understand and respect those stories, we can build a sustainable future together.”
A professor from The Hague University asks the group an interesting question: “Do you think a project like WOW! should be part of our curriculum?” The response is unanimously positive. One student says, “There is hardly any focus on nature and how it influences society. This would be a truly valuable addition.” I explain how we work closely with knowledge partners such as the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and the nature parks of the six islands. These collaborations are essential for both education and awareness.
At the end of the presentation, the students linger for a while. One of them approaches me. “Thank you for the presentation, truly inspiring! Do you have any internship opportunities? During this trip, we’ve had so many presentations, but this is the first time I thought: ‘I want to be part of this.’”
His comment touches me. It’s that spark of inspiration – that moment when someone realizes they can make a difference – that motivates me time and again. I give him my phone number and invite him to reach out. As I drive back to the office, I think about the students, their curiosity, and their eagerness to learn. This is exactly what’s needed – genuine encounters where stories are shared, where boundaries fade, and understanding grows.
Want to watch the teasers yourself? Go to YouTube and search WOWthenaturefilm. Let yourself be inspired – who knows, maybe you’ll say “WOW!” too!
