Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

SEA semester, an adventure not to miss! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/03/2017 to 03/24/2017 with

Sea Education Association: The Global Ocean

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was 100% worthwhile. I learned an incredible amount about myself, science, group dynamics, leadership, New Zealand etc.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

SEA semester strives to include cultural strands woven into the education experience but by no means do they take a central role. If you are looking for cultural emersion SEA semester is not for you.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It was a life changing experience. I learned so much about myself and picked up incredible skills. Also, I might never have an opportunity to spent 6 weeks sailing on a tall ship again.

Finances

* 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)

Personal Money is only spent at port stops on luxury items

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat meals on the boat when they are provided instead of eating out

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the hard work
  • sailing
  • conducting real meaningful research
* What could be improved?
  • fewer port stops
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Have no expectations. Its an indescribable experience. Also, be ready to work hard.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Leadership in a dynamic enviro
Course Department:
Instructor: Elliot Rappaport
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It stretched me personally to reflect on my own leadership styles as well as ground myself in literature and stories of leadership.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Maritime History and Culture
Course Department:
Instructor: Jeff
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not too challenging but many presentations, round table discussions and essays about topics of our choosing.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Directed Oceanographic Research
Course Department:
Instructor: Mattias Cape
Instruction Language:
Comments: Yes. It pushed me to write my own peer reviewed paper and do 2 poster sessions, conduct all my own data collection and designing the research focus.
Credit Transfer Issues: