A life changing, character defining period of grace! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I sincerely learned a substantial amount not only about diving and professional responsibilities, but also about life's lessons and who I am as an individual. The experience was life changing and a significant contributor to my personal character development.

On-site administration of your program

I am quite impressed with the Broadreach Caribbean Base. It may not be a five star hotel, but it is a very well organized and professionally operated facility. Not enough can be said for how warm and welcoming the atmosphere is.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Although I initially had to do a lot of adapting, living on a 45' catamaran was a truly unique and thoroughly enjoyable experience for me. Each student is to pitch in to keep the boat clean and operable. They are also given the choice to sleep wherever they please.

I had a unique situation regarding food, in which I required a demanding diet. Many would speculate that this was unfair and compromised the comfort of others on the trip. The support staff and trip leaders not only approached my controversial situation with great professionalism, but went far out of their way to see that my needs were met without unfairly questioning me. Many would assert that the quality of the food was mediocre, but given the circumstances, I found it to be decent and sustainable.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

In all honesty, I felt like a stranger when I first entered the unfamiliar civilizations. If you behave in a culturally sensitive, considerate fashion, you are likely to receive the warm, kind welcoming that I experienced. Students are given several opportunities to develop pleasant, diplomatic relationships with the local people and community through volunteer service projects.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Although I experienced no medical emergencies during the program, all of my minor injuries were treated immediately and carefully by the staff members. Due to the high intensity nature of the program, medical emergencies, although uncommon, are a possibility. When such events occurred, all of the staff members of highest qualification and experience were on board, and handled the situation quickly and professionally without putting themselves or others in danger. My advice to potential attending students is to pay close attention to small cuts and scratches. On a boat with a lot of people who are exposed to the ocean, infections spread quickly, so I recommend always keeping them covered with a bandage and antibiotic cream. Also, wash yourself with the provided antiseptic soap each day to avoid staphylococcus. As for the vaccines, I was required to receive some shots to enter the trip. These were merely a comforting precautionary measure to protect from highly uncommon ailments.

I did not for one moment feel that my environment compromised my safety or anyone else's. That being said, each town we entered was different, and we took precautionary measures accordingly. For example, upon entering areas of lower income, we would travel in large groups and put our valuables in secure areas to prevent pickpocketing. I feel that the staff adequately supervised the students during town time.

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

Due to my dietary restrictions, I had to bring at least twice the recommended amount of cash to account for this setback. From my observation, most other students who made calculated decisions did not run short of cash during the program.

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• Other

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• International Students

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• International Students

• The staff's dedication and love for helping me discover myself.
• All of the lifelong friends I came to know.
• The activities, particularly diving.

• More protein and less carbohydrates in the meals.

The Avid Adventurer