The best experience you'll never be able to explain Past Review
By Onji S (Civil Engineering., n/a) - abroad from 10/10/2011 to 01/02/2012 with
Sea Education Association: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean
Nothing written nor said, pictures nor descriptions...nothing will ever be able to explain the experience of a SEA Semester. SEA is not for the weak, lazy or unmotivated. It is for those looking for an exciting way to challenge themselves and learn. It is for those who want to work hard and push their limits so far that they no longer have limits. It is not for everyone, and only the strongest can proudly say they are an SEA Alumni.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned more in the few weeks studying at SEA than I felt I learned through most of my Undergraduate degree. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The SEA staff was very helpful in every aspect. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living at SEA was ridiculously fun. I had the greatest roommate, who I am still in touch with, and enjoyed living in the cottages. |
| * Food: |
We (while on shore) went grocery shopping together and learned to budget, shop and cook for a large group of people. While aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer we had great food and even had the opportunity to work in the galley and prepare the food for each other. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The best part about traveling by boat is that we were able to go into less "touristy" places and enjoy the culture first hand. We had tours by the locals, were taken to places you could only get to if a local took you and learned so much! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We were provided with seasickness medication, which sometimes worked, but being seasick is part of the experience and makes you a better sailor. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Housing and meals were included in the cost (which I had paid for by a scholarship). We had ample money for groceries while on shore and plenty of food available while aboard the Cramer. The only need for money was to eat out or buy souvenirs, neither of which are necessities. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | While on shore, I did not spend any money on food, while in the port stops, about $50 total. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't waste money going to eat while on shore in Woods Hole. Spend more money in the port stops eating local foods. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Nothing written nor said, pictures nor descriptions...nothing will ever be able to explain the experience of a SEA Semester. SEA is not for the weak, lazy or unmotivated. It is for those looking for an exciting way to challenge themselves and learn. It is for those who want to work hard and push their limits so far that they no longer have limits. It is not for everyone, and only the strongest can proudly say they are an SEA Alumni. |
