Major
Studio Art

Minor
Geology

Program and Location
Woods Hole, Massachusetts and aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer sailing in the Caribbean (Port Stops in Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic and Port Antonio, Jamaica

Academic focus while abroad?
Scientific Research (Conducted at sea)-Planktonic Foraminifera: A Comparison between Surface and Sediment samples in Foraminifera Distribution and the role of Hydrography in the Caribbean and Sargasso Seas Humanities Research Papers (Primary source research during Shore Component; Strange Seas paper completed during sea component in Samaná, D.R.) - Strange Seas: Early Depictions of Whales as Sea Monsters and Mythological Beasts: The Great White Fleet of the United Fruit Company: Keepin things Cool in Bananaland

Why did you choose this program?
Experiential education and an opportunity to participate in something utterly outside my comfort zone drew me to S.E.A. The prospect of spending a semester learning about sailing culture, history, and the practically being able to apply such knowledge to sailing a tallship for a semester was opportunity not to be missed and an experience in a place I might never have seen or known about had I not participated in this program.

What were the strongest aspects of your program?

An absolute feeling of purpose while sailing; learning a new language with an extremely narrow practical field of application (terminology of sailing, celestial navigation, and the voice of the ship and her sails were all utterly foreign to me and perhaps the most specified dialect I've ever tried to master); Deep and lasting friendships with fellow shipmates and watch-mates, as well as crew aboard the ship; surprisingly fun shore component (half the semester); high feeling of accomplishment throughout and deep understanding of subject matter, stemming from in-depth research, readings, and experiences

What were the most challenging aspects of your program?
Difficult adjustment on shore and at sea; extremely high academic expectations and large workload; Mental, physical, emotional rigor of life at sea

Classes/Internships/Independent Study Projects that you completed?

Oceanography, Oceanographic Research Techniques, Maritime History and Culture, Marine Environmental History, Nautical Science; Above independent Humanities Research and collective Scientific Research paper

What was your living situation like?
Shore Component: "Cottages" (glorified, large dorm rooms in house-like edifices) with nine strangers mixed from both the Atlantic and Pacific cruise-tracks. One building for classes at the top of a hill on SEA campus. Sea (Sailing) Component: One bunk, approximately 6-feet long, with all your possessions of 6 weeks. Classes held on Quarter-deck of ship.

Suggestions for future participants?
Prepare to puke over the rail, get drenched to your bones, bruise, blister, burn, and sleep whenever you get a chance. It's the hardest you'll ever work, you'll be exhausted nearly constantly, and you'll miss it more than anything once you're gone. There is no adventure like it.

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