This program was the single most impactful experience of my entire undergraduate education. It challenged me as a person to push myself; academically as a student to be open to new ideas and understand difficult and complex concepts; encouraged me to be a better colleague to my fellow students; and ultimately, asked me to be a better human being."

Michael Jacobson, Trinity College

More alumni stories »

Press Kit

Sea Education Association (SEA) is a leading non-profit, independent educational institution focused on environmental studies and the world’s oceans.

Founded 45 years ago (in 1971)
Based in the oceanographic research community of Woods Hole, Massachusetts on Cape Cod
One of six scientific research institutions in this vicinity
Full-time faculty in oceanography, history, anthropology, public policy, and nautical science
Dedicated to educating the next generation of ocean scholars, stewards, and leaders

SEA Semester is our flagship academic study abroad program.

Transferable course credit through Boston University, our longstanding school of record
Open to U.S. and international undergraduates of all majors
Variety of semester and summer programs, each addressing a unique ocean-related theme
Global destinations including the Caribbean, Europe, New Zealand, and Polynesia
Nearly 8,000 alumni, spanning many career fields
Field-based research by faculty and students across numerous disciplines.
Two U.S.-flagged tall ship sailing research vessels: the SSV Corwith Cramer in the Atlantic Ocean and the SSV Robert C. Seamans in the Pacific Ocean.

High Resolution Ship Photos


SSV Corwith Cramer JPG, 5.3MB	SSV Corwith Cramer JPG, 3.9MB	SSV Corwith Cramer JPG, 4MB


SSV Robert C. Seamans JPG, 9MB	SSV Robert C. Seamans JPG, 7MB	SSV Robert C. Seamans JPG, 4MB

Captions & Credit

In captions, ships should be identified as: “SSV Corwith Cramer, Sea Education Association, Woods Hole, MA” or “SSV Robert C. Seamans, Sea Education Association, Woods Hole, MA”

Please use the following photo credit: “Photo(s) courtesy of Sea Education Association | SEA Semester^® | www.sea.edu.”

Connect With Us

Check out our social media profiles to follow the conversation.

SEA in the News

Below are highlights from recent news articles featuring SEA Semester. To view more, click here.

SEA’s Kara Lavender Law to Deliver Keynote Lecture at Middlebury Ocean Symposium

Posted on: September 19, 2019

SEA Semester in the NEWS
Middlebury College News
“Future of World’s Oceans to Be Topic of Symposium”

The global ocean is increasingly threatened by human activity, yet many people remain unaware of how important to all life, human and non-human, the marine environment truly is. “The Future of the Global Ocean,” this year’s Middlebury College Clifford Symposium, will offer talks by pioneering marine scientists on key environmental topics, from ocean plastics and marine protected areas to the influence of melting sea ice on weather patterns. Events take place September 19-21 and include a screening of the documentary Chasing the Thunder that recounts a remarkable story of environmental activism on the high seas.

SEA Semester Alumnae Discuss their Experiences on Vermont Public Radio

Posted on: September 17, 2019

SEA Semester in the NEWS
What Two Middlebury Students Learned About Science From 19th Century Whalers
Vermont Public Radio

Later this week, Middlebury College is hosting a symposium focusing on the future of the world’s oceans. One of the discussions features two Middlebury College students, Jennifer Crandall and Caitlin Dicara, who will be sharing some of what they learned in a semester spent focusing on both marine ecology and the history of whaling.

SEA’s Dr. Kerry Whittaker and NASA’s Dr. Jim Garvin Discuss Joint Exploring Expedition

Posted on: September 16, 2019

SEA Semester in the NEWS
SEA/NASA Exploration of Volcanic Island in Tonga
WCAI Living Lab Radio with Dr. Heather Goldstone

“Kerry Whittaker of Sea Education Association is taking a tall ship full of undergraduates to the world’s newest island. It’s just five years old, and NASA’s Jim Garvin says it could help explain the deep geological history of Mars (spoiler alert: Mars had oceans).”

University of Redlands Grad Reflects on PIPA Cruise

Posted on: August 30, 2019

SEA Semester in the NEWS
University of Redlands Bulldog Blog
“U of R alumnus conducts research on rare coral reefs”
By Katie Olson

When asked what he did over the summer, University of Redlands alumnus Jason Gonsalves ’19 has an unusual answer: conducting research in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Contact Us

Email: communications@sea.edu