A Year Of Dream Diving

Imagine a year spent working with leaders in marine-related fields partaking in endeavors ranging from scientific expeditions, underwater research, field study, laboratory assignments, equipment testing and design, photographic instruction, and more…

Since 1974, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society™ has provided firsthand experiences in underwater-related disciplines to young people considering careers in the underwater world – and fourth element are incredibly proud to be one of the annual sponsors.

The new European scholar has just begun their exciting journey – meet Milja!

Hi everyone!

My name is Milja Westerberg, I’m 25, and I am the first ever Finnish Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society European scholar! 

A little bit about my background and how I ended up here: I was born in Finland, which is on the coastline of one of the most polluted marine areas in the world, so the Baltic Sea. Already as a kid I loved swimming and snorkelling in the Baltic Sea, with high hopes of becoming a mermaid or a pirate when I was a grown-up. During these snorkelling filled summers, to the dismay of my family, I was also big on collecting and drying all kinds of seaweeds I could get my tiny hands on (the smell was pretty awful).

The passion for learning about marine ecosystems is what led me to study Environmental Sciences and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Helsinki where I found out about the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy and the amazing scientific diving courses they provide. I applied for the Foundations on scientific diving and occupational scientific diving courses. And by some miracle I got in!

From my very first dive in the cold and murky Baltic Sea onwards I was hooked on diving, especially when combined with doing meaningful work.

Apparently the Baltic Sea was not cold enough, as I immediately applied to the first of its kind Polar research diving course that was conducted under ice, in a very cold lake in Northern Finland. During that incredible experience I learned about the OWUSS and decided to apply for it as I felt that for me to grow and learn as a diver and future scientist I would benefit from gaining a more global perspective and experiences. AND by some miracle (again) I actually got it.

And now I can proudly say that I have been selected as the 2025 European Scholar of the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society as the first ever Finnish scholar! Which has also provided me with the opportunity to meet and work with amazing brands and people, such as the incredible team at Fourth Element! 

During my scholarship year I hope to expand my diving skills, dipping toes into technical diving and more difficult overhead environments as well as learning new scientific diving methods. I am also looking forward to meeting amazing people and experts in their perspective marine or diving related fields, and also to share my knowledge and passion to our beautiful oceans with them. After this year I hope to come back to the Baltic Sea to conduct meaningful work to protect this tiny, very much in need of help Sea. 

I am beyond excited and grateful to have received this incredible opportunity to learn, network, dive, and gain more hands-on experience working with leading experts all across the globe!

I hope that you stay and follow my journey during my amazing scholarship year.

To learn more, visit the OWUSS website. 

And once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart @owus_ for making this dream possible. Extra special thank you also to my amazing sponsors: Fourth Element, Suunto, DAN Europe, and Halcyon!