Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sailing the Pacific with a great group of fellow explorers Past Review

By (Physics., Macalester College) - abroad from 10/04/2011 to 12/23/2011 with

Sea Education Association: Programs at Sea - Oceans and Climate

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to sail a tall ship. I learned a lot of science. I learned about the effects of the environment and climate on the US as a political entity and Polynesia as a cultural one.

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.

The semester was not as challenging course-wise as my classes at Macalester, but instructor feedback was all over the place. I didn't realize I wasn't doing well in one of my classes until I got my grades after the semester.

* 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?

Most of the course was in the US or on a boat with the other students. Very little different culture to integrate with

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Shipboard medicine is great!

* 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)

The cost of the program covered food costs as well as housing.

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Sailing
  • Visiting Polynesia
* What could be improved?
  • Instructor feedback
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? When it's always about 30 degrees C, you should bring a jacket because when it drops to 25, you start to feel cold.

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.