SEA Semester

I'd like to start by saying that the only rating not getting 6 stars is "Party Atmosphere" because I don't want to mislead students thinking SEA Semester is a party in the sense of relaxing and drinking. That being said, if the category were "Fun" I would give it 7 stars out of six. The people employed by SEA and the people I met at SEA are some of the most interesting, quirky and fun people I've ever met.

SEA provides an environment that will challenge you academically, physically and emotionally all the while allowing you to see the most beautiful islands, sunsets and sunrises anywhere in the world. I don't know anyone who finishes SEA semester and doesn't feel that he or she has had the experience of a lifetime.

My SEA semester was nearly 9 years ago, and I still talk about it in legal job interviews, and employers find it fascinating.

In the words of Mark Twain: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do." Regardless of your career and educational path, SEA Semester will be a phenomenal experience.

The entire experience of SEA, both the shore and sea component, was the most satisfying educational experience I think I've ever had. The content you are taught on shore gets put to the test once you are out on the water, and once you finish the sea component, you have more experience in sailing, navigating and marine research then almost anyone else your age.

But probably the best part about the program is the community it forms. You will live, eat, learn and play with your classmates, and then you become even closer when you become shipmates. You learn to work together with your watch mates through the highs and the lows of ship life. I am still in touch (and roommates) with my shipmates from the program. Keeping a watch schedule, and dealing with the potential day or two of seasickness make this not an experience for everyone, but if you really want to feel alive, I highly recommend this program.

I didn't know how to sail before my SEA Semester, but the program gave me the experience to get a job on a schooner for the summer, and will hopefully continue to help me find jobs through their alumni network and solid reputation.

This program is a truly amazing course. As students we were responsible for the handling of the ship and doing our own research projects we designed from scratch. We were given enough guidance to keep us safe and everything else was up to us. Its an exceptional learning experience, not just about the academics, but life skills that some kids manage to miss otherwise in college. It was really great to see my fellow students grow as people and grow together as a group. I still keep in touch with all my class mates regularly.


The program I did was science focused (there are cultural focused programs). So I did not get as much experience of other cultures as some might hope for. Some people may find shipboard living tough, but what is life if we don't challenge ourselves a little.

One of my most memorable moment was waking up in the middle of the night and heading up on deck. Some dolphins were surfing on the bow wake of our boat. That in itself was unremarkable but since it was dark you could only see them by the green glowing trail of phosphorescent plankton they disturbed as they moved. Seeing a pod of dolphins outlined in bright green below me was pure magic.

In your life you will never come across an opportunity comparable to SEA. You bond with amazing people, you travel to remote places, you push yourself to unimaginable limits and you grow in so many ways. I was able to strengthen my academic ability, personal confidence and peer relationships in truly unexpected ways.

Because SEA is such a small program, it's really easy to work with the program administration. In addition, because the professors travel with you onboard, you really get to know them which facilitates even better learning.

I travelled from Honolulu to Tahiti with stops in Bora Bora and Christmas Island. While there isn't a ton of cultural exposure because you are at-sea for the majority of the sailing portion, I do feel we learned about the islands to which we traveled.

There is a lot of partying in Woods Hole between both classes which is AWESOME. It was a ton of fun and I've made some wonderful friends from both ships.

Living both in the houses in WH and on the boat were incredible.

There is a lot of work required of the students, but it is all very interesting and rewarding. The independent research project teaches you how to frame, investigate, and finish a scientific inquiry. It's really great.

On the boat you continue your research project and learn very practical, applied sailing techniques. I know people who got jobs both for the summer and after college working on tall ships specifically because they did SEA.

I would HIGHLY recommend this program to any motivated and smart college student looking for an abroad experience that will truly change their life.