Lydia Wasmer Studies Abroad with SEA Semester in New Zealand

2017 Mar 13

Lydia Wasmer '18, a junior at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, is one of 26 undergraduates from diverse U.S. institutions who are spending this term sailing through the waters of New Zealand's North and South Islands. Their goal is to better understand one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century: human impacts on the environment.

Wasser, an environmental science major, is the daugther of Kathleen and Peter Wasmer of Naples, Fla.

Through SEA Semester: The Global Ocean, a study abroad program offered by Sea Education Association (SEA), these students, whose majors range from biology to political science, will explore firsthand the unique environmental and complex cultural influences that have shaped these islands, all from the unique learning platform of a tall ship.

The class arrived in early January for six weeks of preparatory coursework on shore at SEA Semester's campus in the oceanographic research community of Woods Hole, Mass. On Feb. 16, the students arrived aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans, SEA's state-of-the-art 134-foot brigantine, in Auckland, New Zealand, to begin a six-week coastal and offshore voyage.

As an island nation, the health of New Zealand's ocean, land, and people are inextricably connected. New Zealand has made a national commitment to sustainable management of its marine resources, but its innovative policies and conservation efforts at times compete with economic goals. Through planned port stops, including Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, the students will attempt to understand how centuries of seaborne commerce, fishing, and land development have influenced the natural environment of these coastal zones and offshore waters. They will also examine the relationship between different cultural groups and the ocean environment that surrounds them.

Like all SEA Semester programs, The Global Ocean also focuses on leadership and teamwork skills in a dynamic environment. During their voyage, the SSV Robert C. Seamans will serve as home, classroom, and laboratory during the voyage. On board, students will become full working members of the ship's crew, sharing responsibilities for standing watch, processing oceanographic samples, navigating by sextant, and participating in round-the-clock operations under the guidance of professional mariners and oceanographers.

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America's most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby offers a rigorous academic program rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, global opportunities, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 2,000 dedicated and diverse students from 81 countries. Its Waterville, Maine, location provides access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences.