Falling in love with your community and the ocean July 28, 2026
By Amanda S (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/05/2026 to 03/29/2026 with
Sea Education Association: Programs at Sea - Marine Biodiversity & Conservation
Not only did I learn about the science of the ocean and conservation of coral reefs and Marine Protected Areas, but sailing experience, community building, working through conflicts, and perseverance. Every challenge and blister was worthwhile.
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. |
Academics was not hard, easy to understand, lectures started from basics, professors were easy to access, final projects were academically stimulating, some classes felt a bit easy while other classes were not structured as well as typical college classes. However, the main draw of this program was the hands-on learning when living on a ship, working with a crew, learning about sailing/ocean/survival skills, learning from crew and captain about life lessons and community. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Had to opportunity to learn from environmental conservationists at the Caribbean Islands, time to explore outside the areas, see beautiful sites above and under water. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Considering we were living on a working and sailing ship, accommodations on the Cramer were as expected. Accommodations at Cape Cod was decent, house had everything we needed, were given more than enough stipend to cook food for ourselves every day. |
| * Food: |
Have enough money to cook food everyday at Cape Cod, cooks on the ship were amazing and provided delicious food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not that much learned about Caribbean culture, but more about culture of tall ships and sailing |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Had medical officers that took care of all our needs, including sea sickness, cuts, scrapes, etc. Had supportive crew that helped with emotional care. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I made life-long friends with the students on this program, and learned so many life lessons and stories from the crew on the ship. This program taught me the importance of caring for your community and working with each other, survival skills, and grew my love for the ocean. Every hardship and challenge on this program taught me skills and built my endurance for living without our creature comforts and relying on the support of those around you. |
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) |
Plenty of stipend for food given to us at Cape Cod, no need to spend any money on ship |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 0 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This is not a cruise, be prepared for working at almost all times of the day when sailing the ship, can be physically tiring and gruelling, you will be expected to contribute to the ship with all your abilities, laziness will not be tolerated |
