Pacific ocean studies programs scheduled for Spring 2014 for students wishing to spend a semester at sea

Woods Hole, MA, September 4, 2013 — Sea Education Association (http://www.sea.edu) has scheduled two Pacific ocean studies trips for the Spring of 2014. The early spring semester at sea takes place January through March and is entitled Sustainability in Polynesian Island Cultures & Ecosystems. After attending classes in Woods Hole, students will embark on a seven week ocean studies sailing voyage to several South Pacific islands aboard the tall ship SSV Robert C. Seamans. While studying abroad, the students will learn about colonial conflict, cultural identity and environmental justice while examining relationships between political cultures. While studying abroad in French Polynesia, students will also explore issues of sustainability with local officials and visit historical, cultural and agricultural sites.

A second Pacific ocean studies program takes place February through May and is entitled Oceans & Climate. During this semester at sea program, students will begin by undergoing on-shore intensive academic coursework followed by original research projects which they will implement while studying abroad on the open ocean aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans. During the sailing voyage, students will work as full members of the crew, studying the remote ocean environment as they implement a directed research project related to climate change. This oceanographic research-intensive semester at sea incorporates public policy perspectives to learn how scientific knowledge is used in policy making. Students will play an active role in answering critical questions related to climate change, one of the foremost challenges of their generation.

About Sea Education Association
For more than 40 years, Sea Education Association has offered undergraduate students a hands-on, field-based education about the world’s oceans. Offering fully accredited SEA Semester study abroad programs at sea, SEA has sailed more than one million nautical miles since 1971. They currently own and operate two brigantine sailing research vessels in the Pacific and Atlantic, the SSV Robert C. Seamans and the SSV Corwith Cramer. SEA offers more than $1 million dollars annually in need-based financial aid and scholarships for SEA Semester students, and is located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.sea.edu.