SEA Semester | Sea Education Association

Reviews

• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
  My semester at S.E.A. still ranks as a top 10 life experience. After my first trip to a foreign country during college, I knew I wanted to spend a semester getting out of my comfort zone, beyond the borders of the United States. I've always loved the ocean, but didn't want to just drift from port to port on a cruise ship. When I found out about S.E.A., I knew it was for me. Every program is different - I'm thankful mine included 4 weeks of non-stop sailing, no port stops, as we sailed from Mexico, across the Equator, and up to Hawaii. As a non-science major, I was a little nervous about the oceanography project. I worked with the professor to find a research area that included some hypothesis/analysis, but still allowed me to use my graphic design training to present data in an interesting way. There were times when I missed home or felt tired or didn't want to take part in dawn clean-up. But those times just made seeing a green flash or climbing aloft at sunset to watch whales breach while sailing past Maui all the sweeter. After the semester was over and I was flying the 6 hours back to the mainland, I reflected on the 6 weeks my shipmates and I had spent sailing a similar distance. We had done it -- together -- and after that, I knew I could tackle most anything life sent my way.
  By Lauren Zike, March 10, 2018
• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
  SEA was the best decision I ever made! All of us learned so much about leadership and about community. It’s rare to have the opportunity to get frequent opportunity to lead a group and feedback on ones leadership style. We also had a fantastic, supportive, fun, creative, hardworking community. We learned a lot about celestial navigation, cooking (practical life skill!) and oceanography. Many of the people in my class still keep in touch, see each other whenever in the same city, travel together. My family friend applied after hearing my stories and she also says it’s the best decision she’s made. I hope more people will join SEA and experience the adventure!
  By Shelley Kind, June 10, 2017

Photos