Name: Sea Education Association
Brand: Sea Education Association
SKU: 9680
Rating: 9.04 (25 reviews)

Our gap year programs are designed for recent high school graduates who have deferred their college acceptance or will matriculate in the spring semester.

Accepted to college as a winter admit and want transferable credit? 

SEA Gap Programs offers a full semester of credit from our school of record, Boston University. This interdisciplinary program combines insights from the natural and social sciences to deepen students’ awareness of and appreciation for the ocean. Students will take their learning out of the classroom and into the field while developing new leadership, teamwork, and research skills. 

Inquire today to learn more about upcoming gap programs with SEA.

Gap Year Programs with SEA

SEA offers top-quality study abroad programs that combine academic learning and practical, hands-on activities. Our semester and summer programs have two components: onshore and at sea. Our semester programs start with coursework and life on SEA’s residential campus in Falmouth, a scenic coastal town on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This component prepares students for life in the field.

The sea or coastal community component involves applying everything students have learned in the classroom. They attend classes and work with local communities and partners, all while conducting field research.

SEA Upcoming Programs:

Summer 2025
- Coral Reef Conservation: Fiji
- Ocean Policy: Marine Protected Areas

Fall 2025
- Climate & Society
- Oceans & Climate
- Coral Reef Conservation: Caribbean

Spring 2026
- Climate Change & Coastal Resilience
- Coral Reef Conservation: Caribbean 
- Marine Biodiversity & Conservation
- Sustainability in Coastal Communities

These programs are open to all majors interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the world’s oceans and obtaining hands-on research experience aboard a tall ship or in a coastal community.

Undergraduate Study Abroad Programs with SEA

Sea Education Association

Sales Wolves

The Sea Education Association, or SEA, is a global teaching, learning and research community dedicated to the exploration, understanding and stewardship of marine and maritime environments. SEA empowers students with life-changing ocean voyages of scientific and cultural discovery, academic rigor and personal growth.

Located in the oceanographic research hub of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, SEA operates two 134-foot tall-ship ocean-research vessels, the SSV Corwith Cramer and the SSV Robert C. Seamans. These ships sail in the waters of the Caribbean, North Atlantic, and South Pacific, with regular port stops including Tahiti, Hawaii, New Zealand, St. Croix, Puerto Rico, and Dominica, to name just a few.

SEA offers semester and summer programs for college undergraduates, as well as progr...

The Sea Education Association, or SEA, is a global teaching, learning and research community dedicated to the exploration, understanding and stewardship of marine and maritime environments. SEA empowers students with life-changing ocean voyages of scientific and cultural discovery, academic rigor and personal growth.

Located in the oceanographic research hub of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, SEA operates two 134-foot tall-ship ocean-research vessels, the SSV Corwith Cramer and the SSV Robert C. Seamans. These ships sail in the waters of the Caribbean, North Atlantic, and South Pacific, with regular port stops including Tahiti, Hawaii, New Zealand, St. Croix, Puerto Rico, and Dominica, to name just a few.

SEA offers semester and summer programs for college undergraduates, as well as programs for Gap Year students. In addition, there are summer programs, on shore or at sea, for high school students.

The Sea Education Association, or SEA, is a global teaching, learning and research community dedicated to the exploration, understanding and stewardship of marine and maritime environments. SEA empowers students with life-changing ocean voyages of scientific and cultural discovery, academic rigor and personal growth.

Located in the oceanographic research hub of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, SEA op...

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Jamaica

New Zealand

Polynesia

Portugal

Puerto Rico

Spain

United States

Dominica

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Kiribati

Tahiti

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The most amazing, life changing program that is possible. I loved it so much I found a way to work there for 3 more trips. No better way to see the world and the ocean, all while conducting real science for real college credit and seeing new placed That you got to in an environmentally responsible way. An amazing program with amazing successes.

Understand what you're getting into

Understand what you're getting into, that's all. As an English major, I went to SEA because I had read Moby-Dick, and wanted to try my hand at sailing a tall-ship. The down-side is that, because you are conducting a ton of science research, preparing presentations, and doing a wide variety of tasks such as cleaning, cooking, etc., you really have absolutely no time to sit on the mast and think, or memorize the constellations, or play your guitar on deck (all of these things I attempted to do, and gave up on by the middle of the second week). The tiny amount of free time you do have left is dedicated to sleeping, because you end up exhausted at the end of every watch. All this, of course, not counting the random drills that wake you up in the middle of a nap, or the fact that the captain wants everyone on deck at 1 pm to hear a report on the ship's status. In sum, then, just don't expect free time, time to think, time to play, or even much time to tranquilly spend time with your shipmates. You will be worked like a dog, and you should expect that. 

That being said... the experience of being on ship, hauling at lines, working in the galley, spending time in the engineering room, is incredible. My favorite moments on the ship were when I got to be lookout at 3 am, and could stand on the prow, looking out at more stars than I'd ever seen before in my life, listening to the ocean lapping up against and beneath the ship. The manual labor is actually incredibly fun: by the end of the ship, your hands calloused, your muscles twice the size than when you started, you feel wonderful. I developed a gargantuan appetite, got sunburned, and got addicted to the sea and the wind and the emptiness. I honestly do wish I had had more time to spend with my shipmates, many of whom it became practically impossible to talk to once the ship got underway (what with the difference in work schedules, etc.), and I wish I'd had more leisure time (which I think is actually important, to get the ship in a good mood, which in turn helps the crew coordinate better), but I loved the experience of being in the middle of the North Pacific, and think this program is well worth while (even if you're a humanities major).

This program is wonderful

Andres seems to have nailed it down; this program is wonderful and you will love it but you will not have much freedom (the classic collegiate concept). I came into the program as a Marine Biology major and an English major and I was wholly impressed with our Maritime Literature and History class but was somewhat disappointed by the Oceanography class. My reasons: We all had a basis in English, we could all read, etc., so we could proceed naturally with the Literature and History of the sea. Some people have no idea about how a discussion works (science majors) but what's new? Not everyone has a background in science, or marine science for that matter so you start from the beginning. This is awful for marine science majors because you are literally thrown back into introductory science (it's boring), but completely necessary for those who have not been exposed. On land at Woods Hole was fun, I loved the little houses and found time to play backgammon for money (something everyone should take up). Let's take a look at the other half of the program.

Being on a tall-ship was f-ing incredible and I loved sailing and I learned a lot because I was forced to, often times in the wee hours of the morn. This is good. You are put into uncomfortable situations which force you to work as a team and get things done. The scientific equipment was crazy awesome and expensive, I felt like I was supposed to be on the Discovery Channel. Problem #1: We were very much shuttled into our research projects, there is relatively little freedom in choosing a project (this is good for non-scientists and bad for scientists). Problem #2: There is no free time and little sleep time which makes for grumpy, highly stressed shipmates. Problem #3: I did not agree with the educational philosophies of both the captain and the chief scientist. Both talented and nice people, to be sure, but there logic seemed off (i.e. fun and work cannot mix). 

Solutions: Keep an open mind and bring some sarcasm, it helps. Don't worry about sea-sickness. After a day and half of it you simply don't have time to be sick anymore and you will get over it. Don't lean on the gimbled tables, the paid-crew will not look at you kindly. Do not enter the Zona de Muerte. 

Bonus Bombs: The watch meetings are fun at first and then frightening once you learn that the crew is actually keeping track of emotional stability of the folks on board. Your project will get done. A bunk in the foc'sil is the best - it's huge, you have no control over bunk selection, sucker. Most people enjoy silly songs about balloons. Don't hit anyone. The captain does have a sense of humor, you just have to keep poking until you find it. The dutch do not know how to sail.

Hands-on Learning With A Taste Of Salt!

Great experience!

Living on a sailboat for two months really puts things into perspectives. Taking away the comforts of space and privacy is a great learning experience in itself. Ship life is an awesome skill to learn. Team building and cooperation is key.

Highly recommend it for anyone looking for hands-on learning outside the classroom!

Best Time Of My Life

I decided to go on SEA after seeing a view book in my school's library and it was the best choice I have made yet! SEA was challenging in so many ways, but it was also exhilarating and life changing. Looking back on it, I am amazed at how much my confidence and problem solving skills improved over the short (8 week) program. I never thought about studying at sea, especially on a tall ship, but this program was probably the best learning and social experience of my entire college career. The crew and professors were amazing and the bonds I formed with my shipmates will last forever. In my mind, this is the best study abroad program available.

An Amazing Experience Made Better

This was a remarkable program that excited me for a career in science, gave me a deeply abiding love of the sea, and provided life-long friendships. I am, in many ways, without words to describe the level of importance I place upon my time at SEA. I gained confidence academically and socially, and found a path for myself that was neither based in drunken debauchery nor academic isolation. I gained friendships in the three months (or in some cases, six weeks) that are rewarding and enduring despite long distances. I highly recommend this program.

Best Decision Of My College Career

This program changed my life. I attended 5 years ago, during my junior year. I met amazing people and did amazing things. Even though it's not directly relevant to my career, I would highly recommend that you check this out. It was worth every penny and every minute, and if I could get away with doing it again, I'd do so in a heartbeat.

Fantastic!!

This was a life-changing experience which I will remember forever. From day one I found this program to me incredibly unique, comprehensive, supportive and exciting! I would do it all over again in a heart beat. Get ready for the time of your life!!!

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