What is the Sea Year at the US Merchant Marine Academy?

I'm considering applying to the USMMA and heard a lot about the Sea Year. Can anyone explain what it involves, and how it fits into the Academy's curriculum? Sounds like an amazing opportunity if you're into maritime careers.

At the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), the Sea Year is a unique part of the educational experience that sets the Academy apart from other service academies. The Sea Year is indeed an amazing opportunity if you are interested in maritime careers and it comes as a part of the USMMA's hands-on approach to education.

During what's called the "Sea Year," midshipmen spend an academic year at sea, where they travel internationally on commercial vessels. This period is typically split into two segments: one during your second year, and the other during your third year. The idea behind it is to give students real-world, practical experience on the sea, working and learning on board various types of merchant vessels.

Midshipmen will apply lessons learned from their freshman year and also gain invaluable maritime experience, visiting different ports of call, and learning about international trade. The aim is to expose them to the life, duties, and responsibilities of a maritime officer in training.

In between, they take classroom coursework at USMMA which bolsters what they have experienced at sea. Following their Sea Year, students return to the Academy for their senior year to synthesize what they learned at sea with their academic studies. By graduation, midshipmen have gained globally recognized U.S. Coast Guard licenses, either as a Merchant Marine Officer or a Naval Reserve Officer, along with a Bachelor of Science degree.

In essence, the Sea Year is an integral part of the curriculum and a key reason many students choose the USMMA. It provides both theoretical and practical knowledge and credentials that are highly beneficial for navigating a career in the maritime industry. It's a unique opportunity to live the mariner life while still being a student, providing an unparalleled, immersive educational experience if you're interested in a maritime career.