I thought I would hate the boat (A runner) Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/12/2018 to 05/09/2018 with

Sea Education Association: Programs at Sea - Oceans and Climate

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I climbed to the top of the ship in the middle of beautiful tropical bay. I lived through a hurricane. I was the Junior Watch Officer on a ship in the middle of major squall. I got a ship from point A to a 1km circle in the middle of night and saw a giant asteroid go past. The ocean is amazing.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Boat was great, the houses at the SEA campus were cute. Long live A house.

* Food:

Boat food was amazing. Liked being able to cook my own meals on Campus.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Boat life is different from real world life, most of the time it is amazing, sometimes it is hard.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I don't understand my own healthcare at Wellesley so I similarly did not know how to use it in Woods Hole.

* Safety:

Woods Hole is great!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Honestly spending six weeks sailing the ocean is something that you will never get to do in your life. I love to run and explore, but it is so easy to run and explore everywhere. It is awfully hard to find a Tall Sailing ship that will let you design your own research experience and feed you while you live on it. 120 feet and 34 people is not a whole lot of personal space, but that is when you realize that you actually have the whole world and everyone in it is so amazing.

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? $10
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The day-old baked goods at Pie in the Sky are great!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Junior Watch Officer Program
  • Developing my own research project
  • Swim Calls
* What could be improved?
  • Access to professors while on boat
  • More defined time to work on projects with group members
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Tall ships are beautiful and this program is very special.

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:

Nautical Science

Course Department: Nautical Science
Instructor: Jay Amster
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I did not expect Nautical science to be such a major and transformative part of the SEA experience. Navigating by the stars is so amazing.
Credit Transfer Issues: It has not department at Wellesley but it is an amazing course.