Programs Blog

Wed Sep 11, 2024 

Sea Education Assocation campus, Woods Hole, MA

warm sunny day!

“Welcome to Mystic Seaport!” We were all greeted Friday morning as we all rushed out of the van after a 3-hour car ride. I would love to share my experience this past weekend in Mystic CT, adding to what Mira wrote a couple of days ago. 

Let’s rewind a little. My name is Kelsie Bottari, a senior at Syracuse University, and for the past three years, I have been studying biology and environmental science. Right when I heard about SEA, I knew it would be the perfect study abroad program for me. I grew up on the water working on and around boats, and when I found out that I could have the opportunity to join a sailing voyage in the southern Pacific I was beyond excited to join. The first few weeks of SEA were definitely challenging, but I adjusted pretty quickly. I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful group of students who I have a lot in common with. From the moment we all got to campus, we had a jam-packed agenda full of amazing activities and opportunities such as hiking, biking, exploring a new town, games, potluck dinners, and field trips… like the one I would like to tell you about. 

Once we got to Mystic Seaport, after a car ride that felt like forever, we were led over to the Joseph Conrad, a full-rigged historic vessel. The Joseph Conrad (priorly named Georg Stage) was a 111-foot veteran training ship permanently retired and docked at Mystic Seaport Museum in 1947. We were escorted below deck to claim a bunk and get ready for the rest of our weekend at the museum. 

Our guides brought us to the “Entwined” exhibit where we had the pleasure of meeting Akeia de Barros Gomes. She walked us through this beautiful exhibit that was filled with hundreds of wonderful historical artifacts and beautiful artwork made by different Indigenous and local artists. Dr. de Barros Gomes did a wonderful job at making the tourists feel like we were a part of the exhibit rather than just walking through. For example, many videos were playing to enhance your experience of learning about this time in history, and rooms to explore to set the scene of what Black and Indigenous people had to endure. 

After a few speeches and tours of the archives, we entered my favorite part of the museum… “Spineless.” “Spineless” is a fairly new, temporary collection at the museum. The exhibit features many stories and beautiful glass creations made by father and son German glass makers, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka. Their glass models were inspired by invertebrates found at sea over hundreds of years. Their artwork is featured all over the world, and I was granted the opportunity to see over 40 handmade pieces by them. 

The last exhibit we went to was the planetarium where we were shown the celestial demonstration of what the night sky will look like along our voyage. The celestial tour guide taught us different methods to use the stars as a form of direction, showing us new constellations and directional stars. 

Overall, Mystic Seaport and SEA have been an amazing journey so far, and I am eager to start the voyage soon! Next time you hear from me I will be at sea!!!

-Enjoy some photos taken at Mystic Seaport this past weekend!