The Coolest Thing I've Ever Done Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/23/2019 to 12/15/2019 with

Sea Education Association: Programs at Sea - Climate & Society

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I got to dive into environmental communication (the field I want to pursue after college); SEA's leadership education is spectacular; and I learned how to sail. Nothing compares to climbing out on the bow while we're crashing up and down on eight-foot waves.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I didn't find the coursework particularly challenging, but the assignments were interesting and often fun, and the program's focus on leadership and personal growth is extremely effective. My classes were enjoyable and fulfilling.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The boat was more homey than I ever imagined a 40-meter seafaring vessel could be.
* Food:	The stewards accommodated all of my dietary restrictions even better than I'd hoped.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	This isn't a program to do if you're hoping to become immersed in New Zealand culture, but I felt like a true member of the ship's crew during my time at sea.
* 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)	Expenses were covered by the program-- pretty much all spending was optional.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	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?	Sailing The course subjects Our lovely stewards
* What could be improved?	Some of the classes didn't feel like they'd accomplished all they could've
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Almost everyone stays in New Zealand for a little while after the program--don't worry about not finding a travel buddy when booking a flight.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Environmental Communication
Course Department:
Instructor:	Ben Harden
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Oceans & Global Change
Course Department:
Instructor:	Blaire Umhau
Instruction Language:
Comments:	I learned a lot about how the ocean works, both during the shore component and at sea, but sometimes the standards of grading were frustratingly unclear.
Credit Transfer Issues: