Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much in advance should I submit a SEA Semester application for admission?
A: Six months, and longer if possible. Given the finite number of berths available, we cannot over-enroll. We try very hard to honor your first choice of SEA Semester dates, but the closer to the start date we get, the less likely it is that we’ll have space. Students can always call the Admission Office for an update on space availability.
Q: Is sailing experience necessary?
A: No. Many of our 7,000+ alumni had never set foot on a floating vessel of any sort before their Woods Hole SEA Semester . (Others had been sailing since they were toddlers.) SEA’s Nautical Science course provides thorough
preparation in both the theory and practice of sailing a tall ship.
Q: Do I need to be a science major?
A: SEA students represent a wide variety of majors. Students majoring in English, journalism, and art join those in biology, geology, and engineering to complement each other’s strengths and expertise. For many humanities and social science students, SEA provides the only hands-on encounter with scientific methods and collaborative research of their college careers. Science majors have a similarly unusual opportunity to place scientific inquiry in the larger
context of culture, society, and technology. Students who are unsure of their majors often find that a SEA Semester resolves the matter—one way or another.
Q: I’ve heard this is a challenging academic program. True?
A: True. The pace of instruction, complexity of the material, and expectations of the faculty are appropriate for college sophomores and juniors. SEA Semester is most appropriate for students who are prepared to work diligently within and beyond their intellectual and physical “comfort zones.”
Q: Is it safe?
A: SEA enjoys an excellent safety record, something our staff and students work hard at maintaining. Our vessels,
equipment, and crew training programs, including emergency medical training, are subject to rigorous U.S. Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping standards and regulations. The open sea is, however, among the most challenging—and dangerous—environments on the planet. There is risk involved, but we believe it is acceptable risk which directly engages our students, enhances the learning experience, and contributes significantly to their personal development.
Q: Are there many rules and regulations governing student activity in SEA programs?
A: SEA has a Code of Conduct, to which every student is expected to agree and follow. Each student is a member of a close, collaborative team on shore and a working member of a sailing vessel at sea. Expectations of student
responsibility, thoroughness, and thoughtfulness are high.
Q: How often do the ships communicate with SEA world headquarters?
A: Each vessel is in contact with the office in Woods Hole, Monday through Friday, to communicate position and
essential news. Ship position is then posted on our website and recorded on our voice mail. Visit:
/NewsUpdates2000/dailyreport.htm.
Q: Is SEA Semester considered a domestic or international program?
A: We fit comfortably in both categories but perfectly into neither. Half of the program takes place on Cape Cod . The other half takes place “overseas,” frequently in international waters, and docking in foreign ports. A valid passport is necessary for participation. The chief scientist on each ship is required to submit a formal report of research activities to the U.S. Department of State at the end of each SEA Semester. That report is then forwarded to the foreign ministries of each nation into whose waters the vessel sailed. We accept students into the program from colleges and universities around the world.
Q: Can I study whales and dolphins?
A: Not really. Though these creatures are fascinating, we don’t have access to them from the vessel, nor do we have cetologists on our faculty. You will most likely see many whales and dolphins, and certainly discover a great deal about the waters they live in and what they eat, which would prove to be invaluable if you decide to pursue this interest.
Q: Will I get seasick?
A: Probably.
Q: Is fear of seasickness a good reason to opt for another program?
A: We don’t think so. While never pleasant, seasickness is typically a temporary and treatable condition. Many of our alumni claim that it even builds character.
Q: What is SEA’s policy on alcohol and recreational drug use?
A: Alcohol and drugs pose a disruption to productivity on shore, and a serious threat to safety at sea. Responsible alcohol consumption is permitted for students 21 years of age or older during the shore component, however, we forbid the use or possession of alcohol or recreational drugs by anyone during the sea component. Students who can’t abide by SEA’s Code of Conduct on shore or at sea have been, and will be, dismissed from the program. We show none of our customary sympathy and good humor in this area of student life; there is simply too much at stake.
Q: How is the food?
A: A rigorous program demands lots of energy, which requires fuel—so we eat well and often. Meals are a collaborative effort both on shore and at sea. Each student takes a regular turn in the galley under the supervision of the ship’s
steward. Virtually all students leave with vastly enhanced culinary skills. Food restrictions for medically documented reasons can usually be accommodated.
Q: Will a SEA Semester make me more employable or get me into graduate school?
A: The ability to communicate clearly, think critically, solve problems, and work as a team are skills all employers and graduate schools seek. They are skills taught, encouraged, and reinforced constantly during a SEA Semester. According to our alumni, SEA is a valuable addition to resumes aimed at graduate studies or employment.
Q: Will I need to invest in any specialized equipment prior to enrolling?
A: We require packing foul-weather gear—rain slicker, boots, and pants. These can be purchased from the SEA store if you don’t already have them.
Q: What is the student:faculty ratio in a SEA Semester?
A: During the shore component, it’s typically 8:1. At sea, the captain and chief scientist are supported by three assistant scientists, three mates, an engineer, a steward, and occasional alumni deckhands. The student:faculty ratio at sea is less than 3:1.
Q: I’m not sure if I should try an Atlantic or Pacific SEA Semester . Are there major differences?
A: Apart from the obvious geographical ones, there are probably more similarities than differences. All cruise tracks take
advantage of the most favorable sailing conditions in each region, so weather is not very different at all. Generally, distances in the Pacific are greater, which results in longer passages, and sometimes, fewer port stops. Travel to join and depart the vessel likely will be longer in the Pacific.
