Semester at Sea Abroad on the Ocean

Author: Matthew Christ

Middlebury, Vt., is a small place and, needless to say, we all need to escape from it once in a while. This occasional claustrophobia could help to explain the popularity of study abroad programs and even the amount of road trips taken during a four year career at Middlebury College.

One program in particular that has gained popularity in recent years is the Woods Hole Semester at Sea program (SEA). Described as "the undergraduate experience of a lifetime," the program provides college students with both adventure and course credit.

Students interested in the program are often initially worried about the experience needed for the trip. Susannah Ceraldi, the SEA admissions counselor, reassures that there are "lots of students who participate who have never sailed. Some have never even been on a motorboat or rowboat."

Another common concern is seasickness, which is usually a problem that everyone on the trip copes with together. "Almost everyone gets seasick," Ceraldi commented. "It's no walk in the park, but the crew keeps morale high until you get your sea legs."

The program begins in early fall at Boston University, the host school. In the classroom, students study oceanography, maritime studies and nautical science. There is also a certain amount of sailing knowledge necessary for the trip, so the students learn about piloting, celestial navigation and practical seamanship. Although this component of the trip seems very scientifically demanding, being a science major is not required.

Ceraldi, who also attended SEA, wants students to be aware that the program is not an academic pushover. "It was the hardest I've ever worked academically," she said. "I have never seen a large group of college kids get up at 9 a.m. on a Saturday to do work! All of the work — reading, chart plotting, writing and researching — was interesting to me. So although it was tough, it was also rewarding!"

The sailing component of the trip begins in October when the ship departs from Woods Hole, in Cape Cod, Mass. Although the trip begins in cold New England, within three weeks the weary travelers arrive in St. Croix in the Caribbean. While sailing, there are various stops, including Tahiti, Key West, Costa Rica, Alaska, Bermuda, Barbados, Cuba, the Cayman Islands and Newfoundland — not a bad way to spend the winter.

They travel in style on a 120-foot tall ship, while learning how to operate radar, radiotelephones, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) navigation systems and depth sounders.

Although it may seem like they live the Jimmy Buffet lifestyle, the ship never docks in Margaritaville and there is serious work involved. An individual research project performed while on the ship is a crucial part of the experience.

Ceraldi recalls that she studied Myctophids (lantern fish). These are definitely not goldfish. They are small fish that live deep in the ocean, but come to the surface to feed. The fish have lights on their bodies that they use to identify the gender and personal characteristics of other fish. She collected them and studied their species distribution. Obviously, this type of research opportunity is only available to Middlebury students if they participate in a trip of this nature.

Each student also has personal responsibilities pertaining to the ship care. They serve as Junior Watch Officers, which puts them in charge of the boat for two watch periods. Suddenly typical Middlebury worries are replaced with issues that affect the lives of everyone onboard.

This experience was what Ceraldi found the most harrowing. "It was intimidating because there is so much to oversee, to remember, and to decide: should we strike those sails? When should we tack? How far are we from our deployment point? Is that a squall I see on the horizon!?"

There are other experiences related to being on a tall ship that may prove difficult for the inexperienced sailor. Students often recall storms, some as bad as force 9, which brought fierce winds and water rushing across the deck.

For those afflicted with a fear of heights, going aloft on the Crow's Nest may be a frightening experience. Although this part of the program seems intimidating, the student feedback on SEA has been overwhelmingly positive. Because of the close quarters on the ship, friendships and bonds are easily made and never broken.

There are more tangible benefits to the program as well. Their official doctrine states that "the critical thinking, problem solving, team building and leadership skills you develop will pay dividends in your professional life."

The Middlebury students who have participated in the program are definetley in agreement. Graham Furlong '02 said that "the program challenged me both mentally and physically as well as introducing me to the world of the sea which I have grown to love. It was the best experience of my life."

Also, you can earn up to 17 credits through Boston University. For those of you looking for an abroad experience even more unconventional than the typical continental expedition, the Semester at Sea program offers an extremely unique opportunity with countless rewards.