Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE EVER Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/25/2014 to 11/08/2014 with

Sea Education Association: The Global Ocean

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was SO worthwhile. I learned so much about myself and gained a lot of perspective on the things that do and don't matter to me. However ironic, there is something very freeing about living minimally in a tiny bunk on a boat. You don't need much to be happy!! This trip was amazing because it made me readjust my values for the better. Also, the people are great, and the crew members are amazing. Also, the traveling and sailing component are obviously amazing and so rewarding!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

* 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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Hardly spent any money. Unless you want to buy your own food and buy souvenirs, you don't need to spend any money.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It's very possible to go on this trip and - other than flights and tuition - spend little money. The people at SEA go over all of this stuff with the students!

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

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • All the people (classmates, crew)
  • Little wonders every day - sunrises, sunsets, dolphins, lots of shooting stars
  • Life on a boat
* What could be improved?
  • nothing comes to mind
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It can be scary at first because you are with such a small group of people and you don't know anyone and it is a new experience, but it is AMAZING and there is nothing to be worried about!

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:

Oceans and Global Change
Course Department:
Instructor: Chuck Lea
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not too challenging, assignments were manageable and appropriate. Teacher was knowledgeable and passionate.
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't tried yet
Course Name/Rating:

Maritime History and Culture
Course Department:
Instructor: Mary Malloy
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Learned a lot about the history of different ports and how they respectively became established in maritime trade. Had lots of freedom in choosing a research topic
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't tried
Course Name/Rating:

Leadership in a Dynamic Environment
Course Department:
Instructor: Elliot Rappaport
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Learned lots about leadership strategy and different leadership styles. All of this was very applicable, as we were working as a team to sail the boat.
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't tried
Course Name/Rating:

Sense of Place
Course Department:
Instructor: Mary Malloy
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Had lots of fluid discussions about what "sense of place" means. Talked a lot about how a building or landscape can hold cultural meaning and value.
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't tried
Course Name/Rating:

Data Visualization and Communication
Course Department:
Instructor: Skye Moret-Ferguson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Teacher was very helpful. This was sort of a design class, and she taught us a lot of design basics and fundamentals.
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't tried