SEA Education Expedition II

John Michael Lopez Estrada

• This program is an in-person program that lasts for two weeks.
• It takes place on a boat called the Corwith Cramer, and you sleep and basically live there along with other people (students and staff).
• Inside there is everything you need to feel comfortable and well equipped for what’s to come throughout the weeks!

Where did the EP take place? What was the area/campus/

office/virtual environment like?

• This EP is for people who are interested in biology and getting to learn more about oceanography.
• Here you learn how it is to live with crewmates and the responsibilities that come with maintaining a safe and working ship!
• You have the chance to collect samples from the ocean by using special equipment such as a meternet, a carousel and much more.

What was the overall goal of your EP? What did you do/learn/accomplish?

• This experience is all on Corwith Cramer, but there might be some days where you will go to an island like the one I went to called Marine Shoals Laboratory!
• You’re assigned a watch that ranges from A, B, and C.
• There are 4 types of shifts: Morning, Afternoon, Dawn, and Night.
• The jobs are: Deck (Helm, Standby & lookout) and Galley.
• You have 6 hours of work and 12 hours to rest.
• The job shifts rotate every other day. Meaning you don’t have to be on gally or deck every time you’re on watch.
• The galley is where you eat and everyone eats together for the most part. You’re given 3 meals including snacks throughout the day.
• You can shower for one minute every 3 days!

What was your daily or weekly schedule like?

• My reasons for applying to this program is because it was the only program given to me for EP’s, and because it had to do with pollution and the ocean. These are things I am interested in and have wanted to experience!
• The application process is rather easy, but you will need to put your part like anything else in life.
• There are two questions you need to give a response to, you need to create a portal for SEA, you need to give your academic information and medical information so that they know you’re well suited for the trip.
• Emily helped me a lot during this process and even helped me when I got lost on my way to the ship in Boston!

How did you decide to apply for this program? What was the application process like?

• While I was preparing I forgot one of the essential things I needed for communication and that was my phone charger. Thankfully my crewmates let me borrow it before we were dismissed!
• I wish I had socialized more or had taken pictures, but I know that if I had gone back again I wouldn’t have because I’m just too socially awkward.
• In terms of the EP process, I wish I had done all the requirements faster because I definitely took my time doing everything and that made me stressed even though in hindsight it was pretty easy.

What would you have done differently if you could re-do your EP or the EP application process?

• This experience was one of the best memories I’ve had in awhile. Not only do you get to live and work with people you’ve never met before, but the view and the things you learn are just so CRAZY COOL!
• My dreams to one day becoming a veterinarian have been even more fueled by this experience. I recommend this to everyone even if they don’t plan on doing something in the science field.

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How did this experience shape you? What learnings will you take with you in the future?

Anything else you want to add or share!

All I want to say is the world is a beautiful place and we need to keep it clean so that it will last us forever :)