Dear Prospective Golden Bear Cadet,

There are so many things I could tell you to convince you to go on this trip. I could write about all the fun I had and all the friends I made. I could go on and on about my many life-changing adventures. I could even try to explain how this experience has had a major impact on my future. However, since I’m sure my fellow shipmates will do a more than adequate job of expressing these same thoughts, I think I’ll keep my gushy sentimentality down to a minimum. I’ll just say one thing: GO. Go on this trip. You will have more fun than you can possibly imagine. You will make more friends than you will want to deal with. You will experience things that will alter your entire perspective on life. So do it. Chuck all your reservations and fears to the wind and just go. You won’t regret it. Trust me.

With that said, let me go on to a few very important topics. . . . First, the food - Mmm mmm mmm. Greasy food has never tasted so good. Yes, the food is greasy, oily, and fatty. It is what I like to call ‘boy food’. Chicken nuggets, beef stroganoff, tater tots, hot dogs, and ribs. Oh yea, and lots of Chinese food. What do you expect? The chef has to cook what most of his eaters will like, and most of his eaters are young, growing, healthy men. But I wasn’t joking about it being good. Lots of the boys said they liked it better than the food their mothers make. So I suggest just surrendering to the fact that you are letting go for two months. Let yourself enjoy the greasy food and the unending desserts. They are great once you give them a chance.

Next, the California Maritime Cadets: I can’t begin to understand the negative stigma attached to these guys. They are not dangerous playboys. They are like any other Cal Poly boy, just a little less uptight and a little more willing to put themselves out there. Once you get past the initial drooling craze (the CMA is not quite bursting with women), you will find that it is easy to make these guys your friends. I myself have learned so much from them. They have shown me that life is more important than grades and tests and that I shouldn’t let school get in the way of my education. As for the CMA women, they are few and far between. The ones that do interact with Cal Poly students are just as friendly as the guys.

Next, the studying: Let me put it this way, the classes are easy but the environment isn’t. It is really hard to find a quiet place on the ship to study. People are watching movies in the classrooms, playing games in the mess hall, hanging out in the rooms, and sleeping in the library. The class material is straightforward. The teachers are generous and helpful. But it is so hard to study on the ship that you shouldn’t count on the quarter being a breeze. You still have to concentrate and you still have to work hard.

Second to last, the ship events: Ohhh the barbecues. I am not even off the ship yet and I already miss them. Good food, nice weather, freedom to wear normal clothes to dinner - it doesn’t get much better than that. The BBQs are usually accompanied by a costume contest, guitar playing, and a dance. Let me tell you, trying to dance on the ship when you can’t even walk on the ship makes for quite the entertainment. Other fun activities: movies, movies, movies; beard growing contest (the one time they let the guys give their face a break); talent show (although a mashed potato fight kind of ruined that one for us); movies on the fantail. . . They keep you pretty busy.

And lastly, the romance: You will hear it time and time again, but it is so very true that I am going to repeat it; Do not come on this ship with boyfriends or girlfriends at home. Not only are you limited to two short emails a day and $2 a minute phone calls, but you are on a cramped boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with over 300 really cool people. You are in a totally new and different environment that you can’t begin to explain or share with those at home. You will want to be free to be open to all friendships and relationships. make the most of this experience and allow yourself some freedom.

So, GO. Do it. It is the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m jealous of you. I want to do it all over again.

Sincerely,

an extremely satisfied Golden Bear cadet