Sawyer Watson

When I first applied to the SEA Semester program I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I knew I was ready for an adventure. What I gained from that trip I am utterly grateful for, I had the adventure of a lifetime with fourteen of the greatest people I have ever met. I spent six weeks living in Woods Hole, Massachusetts just up the road from the prestigious Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). In the classroom we took a variety of rigorous classes from nautical science to maritime history and oceanography. We designed oceanography projects that were executed on the boat, and helped shape part of our responsibilities while at sea. My experience on the boat was the best part of the program. For five weeks we lived as part of the crew on the Student Sailing Vessel Corwith Cramer, and the first day out I was at the helm steering us through the Atlantic. While on my trip we departed from Key West, Fl heading to Bermuda, next a short stay in Nova Scotia followed by sailing through New York harbor right next to the statue of liberty (one my favorite parts of the trip). Sea semester provides the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to explore the world through the ocean and arrive in new places by sailboat; an experience very few will ever have. I smile every time I look in my passport and see the stamp “Bermuda immigration: arrived by sea in transit.”