I Couldn't Have Imagined a Better Experience! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This course has a good blend of academics and fun. Few times does the coursework feel overwhelming. Ultimately there was enough free time to get everything done, but you have to budget your time effectively. Sometimes you have to skip paddle boarding with friends to finish an assignment. In this course I learned so much about marine biology, diving, and sailing. I became more confident in my skills and abilities.

On-site administration of your program

Everybody at broadreach works so hard to make sure you feel welcome and are having a good time. The instructors are amazing, the people at the Caribbean base (The Pad) are so nice, and everyone is just great.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living on the boat is a little cramped, but you get used to it. You quickly grow close enough with everyone on the boat that you don't even notice the small amount of space. At first its weird to sleep outside on the netting, especially when it rains, but you grow to be used to sleeping outdoors. If you are really against sleeping above deck there are cabins where you can sleep but I found them to be stuffy, and preferred to sleep above deck where I could look at the stars and feel the warm breeze.

The food was really good, and it was fun to cook it. Since we were on a boat a lot of our food was canned (all of the meat is canned), which was the only bad thing about the food. They always made sure we had fresh some fresh produce so that our meals were well rounded.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Most of the time on this program is spent on your boat. We did go to shore a couple times and when we did I felt like we walked around the towns enough to get a feel for the culture there. Though I will say if you are looking for a fully immersed program, this one probably isn't for you. Mainly we went to shore to go on hikes, walk around the closest town, and re-supply.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

On this trip I had an infected wound. It was being cleaned at least once a day, and the infection wasn't clearing up. So my instructor and I decided we should go see a doctor. We went to a doctor on St. Eustatius. Since my injury was not life-threatening I went back and forth to the hospital for three days until the doctor was free. My instructors were very accommodating and always worked to make sure I was as comfortable as possible. So the healthcare on the islands isn't always easy to receive promptly (if the issue is not major) but the doctor did a good job and it was very cheap.

The boat and islands always felt very safe. I can't think of any safety related incidents, everybody was always cautious and there was never a moment where I felt threatened by anything.

I learned so much on this trip, and made so many life long friends.I would do it again in a heartbeat.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Once you are on this trip the costs are very minimal. When we went ashore you would have to pay for meals and souvenirs. Overall costs were for around 2-3 meals, any airport expenses, and any souvenirs. Everything else is covered.

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• Other

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• Americans
• Other

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• Americans

• Learning the marine biology and then immediately applying it to surrounding.
• Sailing/Diving
• All the amazing friends I made

• The only thing I could think of that would improve this program would require more time to be spent on this program. So for the amount of time spent there I feel that it was well rounded.

The Academic or Linguist