SEA Semester: Best Decision of My Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There is a lot of work during the shore component, and you must complete a research project on the boat. Overall, the work load is fairly heavy, but it is all incredibly interesting, the teachers are fantastic, and everything you learn has relevance to what you will be doing for the six weeks on the boat. I learned more at SEA than I had in my first year of college.

On-site administration of your program

The administration and office personnel are extremely accessible and willing to help. They all love working at SEA and they want to make your experience the best possible.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

There are five houses on campus, and each class is split among the houses. The living situation is fantastic and so much fun, and you get to know your shipmates so well over the first six weeks on shore. You cook for each other, clean your own house, and live together. The campus is small, so you will most likely only interact with your shipmates, but it is an effective and extremely fun way to get to know everyone on your ship. Students are from all over the US, and we even an international student. On the boat, you have your own bunk. It is small and can be hot, but in the end you will miss it.

I ate better during SEA semester than I ever have before, including the shore and sea components. On shore, you cook for yourselves in your house, and house dinners are a great way to bond. On the boat, there is a steward, but a students always assists to plan and cook the meal. The food is so good, and you eat 6 times a day!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everyone at SEA, crew, administrators, students, is extremely nice, energetic, understanding, and interesting, and you will learn from everyone around you. After spending 12 weeks with your shipmates and six weeks with your crew, it is amazing how close everyone becomes. We had field trips on shore relating to our maritime studies class and at our port stops. The field trips really brought what we were learning to life, especially the ones around the islands in the Caribbean. On board, you also have "cultural" events relating to sailing "culture." Probably one of the most satisfying non-academic aspects is just sitting on the deck watching the sunset every night with 35 of your closest friends around you and taking in the beauty of the entire trip.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The sea component was very focused on safety. There are some natural risks associated with sailing a tallship in the middle of the Atlantic, but SEA does a good job trying to eliminate or at least reduce these risks.

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

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