Taylor B. ‘19 Non-SMC, Anthropology Archaeology Concentration Fall 2016

Why did you choose this location/program? My name is Taylor Brown and I am an anthropology major with a focus in archaeology. I studied abroad with the Seamester program on their Fall voyage. I sailed through the Caribbean, from the down to and back on an 88-foot sailboat named . I was a student and a crewmember, along with 10 other college kids and 4 staff/crew/professors. I have always loved the ocean and decided there was no better way to get closer to the sea than to sail it. Before stepping aboard, I had never even raised a sail or gone SCUBA diving in my life but within two weeks I felt as confident as a life-long seafarer.

Orientation/First Days

• The first week on Ocean Star was spent getting everyone familiar with the ship and getting everyone SCUBA certified. While on board, everyone takes the same four classes – Oceanography, Marine Biology, Seamanship, and Leadership. Our Captain, First Mate, 2nd Mate, and Scientist each taught one of the classes. Everyone on my boat spoke English and was from the US, except our captain, who hailed from the UK. Our entire environment was our classroom – from the top of the ship’s rigging (90ft in the air!) to the bottom of the ocean (102ft, our deepest dive!). When we weren’t in class, we were diving shipwrecks, hiking volcanoes, touring old British military ruins, swimming with stingrays, lounging in natural hot springs, playing rugby on the beach, and so much more.

Academics

• Every day was something new. The program itself was structured and planned – you’ll do most things as a crew and at least one staff member will always tag along. There are “shore leave” days, though, where you get to explore an island by yourself or in a small group. There are also tons of nights out, where you get to sign off the ship’s log and let loose. My favorite night out was on , when we visited the world famous bar and sunset spot Shirley Heights and danced the night away!

Housing

• Below deck, all 11 of us students were tucked away in our own individual bunks, separated between the boys and the girls. I slept in the bunk nicknamed “The Coffin.” Each person got two cubbies, in which you had to store everything you brought, so pack light! More often than not, I was barefoot and wearing a tank-top and shorts over my bikini. Daily Life Abroad

• I learned so much from my semester aboard Ocean Star – along with multiple sailing and diving certifications, I became more confident and adventurous. A few tips before you go: never say no to jumping off a 40 foot waterfall in Grenada. Make sure you lean over the rail while you’re sailing late one night to see the bioluminescence in the water crashing against the bow. As you’re exploring British military ruins, keep your eyes on the ground, you never know when you’ll find a piece of military mess pottery from the 17th century. Never give up the opportunity to give a rehabilitating sea turtle a bath. Don’t be afraid of getting a little wet. Don’t waste time missing air conditioning or land-toilets (they’ll be there for you when you get back). Take care of your ship like she takes care of you and enjoy every minute of your semester. If you’re thinking of joining the crew, come ready to work hard, play hard, slather on tons of sun screen, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.