May one day look back on those twelve weeks as the greatest of my life Past Review
By Brian T (Chemistry, Furman University) for
Sea Education Association: Programs at Sea - Oceans and Climate
I learned more then I'm willing to put time into this review. But I'll never stop traveling now, and never lose the salt in my blood.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Fairly difficult but if you're passionate about any of the subjects then it isn't that bad. Getting to do research that actually contributed to the scientific understanding of the ocean is a pretty good feeling at the end. And I'd be surprised if SEA ever took a bad professor to sea. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was good |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The night life in Woods Hole is pretty much either grad students and scientist or local fishermen. Great crowd either way. There's a bar called Grumpies within biking distance (they supply the bikes), and there's a few more good ones in town. |
| * Food: |
You get a food card on shore to spend each week. As a house of 10 you'll decide how to spend it. Its enough if you avoid too much lobster. Each house is also responsible for cooking their own meals. Breakfast is usually independant. Lunch is usually Sandwiches and leftovers from the dinner before. And some people rotated dinner responsibility, while others had everyone contributed each night. My house (E house) did the latter and that worked well. On board there will be a steward and assistant stuard that prepares all the meals. A student is assigned as additional help for each day, and gets to decide what the meals are for the day. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You'll grow too close with everyone on the ship, and for too short a time |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very safety concious, pretty small chance you go overboard. |
| 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) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | You'll get blisters, sea-sick, sore, bruised, tired, and frustrated. After the first week you'll have calluses, a good stomach, strong muscles, and maybe able to stand up. I've never had a better feeling then staring at the islands of Bora Bora, Huahine, and Raiatea come over the horizon. I've sailed over three thousand miles of open ocean by sun and stars. Hail Neptune! |
