Seeing the Ocean, and the Islands that are its children Past Review
By Alana B (Geography/Environmental Studies, George Washington University) for
Sea Education Association: Sustainability in Pacific Island Communities and Ecosystems
I gained leadership, confidence, and teamwork skills. It was an extremely challenging environment, and we were at sea for the majority of our 7 weeks abroad. I would have liked a little more time to experience the different ports we visited, but I also enjoyed the layout of the program.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was rigorous. During the shore component in Woods Hole, MA, we had to begin four research papers that were to be completed while on the ship. Working on a research paper on the ship, however, was very difficult. We were perpetually exhausted from being on watch, so it was hard to convince yourself to sit down and analyze the things that we had seen. Also, because this was the first SPICE trip, the grading system was a bit unclear. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My living arrangement was a bunk in the ship. There was very little storage space, so we had to sleep with our bags in our bunks. This was to be expected because our ship was relatively small, and at full capacity. I brought 2 pairs of sheets, a pillow case, and a fleece blanket. The greatest luxury in our bunks was a personal fan. Those fans were a serious blessing. |
| * Food: |
The steward on board is able to cater to everyoneʻs dietary needs or restrictions. Advice on where to eat when we were in port was not the best... but meals were also offered on board when we were in port. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
SEA Semester has very good relationships with different organizations around French Polynesia and Christmas Island, and through those organizations we were able to have unique experiences and field trips. There was very little time to explore on our own when we were in port. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | SEA Semester is not for everyone. You must be prepared to take physical and mental risks. You must be prepared to work and be ready for anything, even when your body and mind are tired to the point of exhaustion. The student must also be comfortable with living out of a skinny bunk for 7 weeks, with the ship tossing and turning around you. But most of all you must have a passion for the ocean, and be at least marginally interested in the science behind oceanography. I loved SEA Semester because I was not in Europe, or in Australia, or in Asia somewhere. I was not staying in one country for 3 months, but rather, I was constantly moving, and seeing new people in places. We caught brief and beautiful glimpses of seven different places, and were able to compare them and come to some very interesting conclusions. I recommend SEA Semester to anyone with an adventurous spirit. |
