SEA Semester: the most unique learning experience Past Review
By Laura K (Marine Science, Eckerd College) for
Sea Education Association: The Global Ocean
I learned how to sail and conduct research on an ocean vessel. I was able to experience the Hawaiian culture, not just as a tourist but with a locals perspective and historical perspective. It was totally worth all the times I didn't want to get out of bed but had to get up for my watch. Heart pounding squalls, beautiful sunsets and sunrises, finding exactly where I was on the earth using only a sextant and the stars or sun. I LOVED IT!
Review Photos
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 is pretty intense because you are trying to learn as much as possible about sailing prior to getting out there and it is difficult to understand if you have never encountered skills and calculations like that before. Also with the shore component you are trying to get the ideas and support for your research project together so you have all the necessary equipment for the boat. On the boat I had to balance doing my part to sail the boat as well as getting all the necessary research together, while still making time to sleep and enjoy the fact that I was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is intense, but totally worth it! |
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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? |
We in dorms for the shore component in Woods Hole, MA and then we were on a boat in bunks for the remaining 6 weeks |
| * Food: |
We were involved with the food preparation and everything was made fresh and there was always an abundance |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is such a unique program to learn and then be part of sailing across an ocean collecting and presenting on research. Truly the definition of teamwork as we had to work together to make it safely across the Pacific. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Being a unique environment where the nearest hospital may be hundreds of miles away there was great precautions and immediate attention given. |
| 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?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program challenged me to learn material I had never encountered before and apply it hands -on. I loved the opportunity to be out in the middle of the ocean with only water surrounding me and as I experienced the responsibility of doing my part, rain or shine, to sail across the Pacific and collect data for our research. It is an intense yet rewarding program that teaches responsibility, teamwork, awareness of the environment and the benefit of being open to all. |
