Dear Interested Student,

So you might be interested in participating in the Cal Poly at Sea program. Does it sound fun to spend two months on a 500 foot ship traveling the world and meeting all kinds of people? Do you want to know what it feels like to look around you and see nothing but water for miles and miles? Do you want to get away from the day to day routine you have gotten so used to in San Luis and throw yourself into an environment you know nothing about? If you answered yes to any of my questions, then you are ready for this trip. It was the most amazing two months of my life. I made lifelong friends. I saw places I would normally never have been able to see. It completely surpassed my expectations and desires - I had a blast and I am sure you will too.

You need to realize a few things before you send in your cruise fee and commit yourself, because this trip is only as fun as you make it. First of all this is NOT a cruise ship, it is a working vessel. The beds are tiny, and it can get really hot or really cold depending on the mood of the air conditioning. Your toilets will get clogged, you will get dirty, and there will be a point where all you want is a comfy couch and a carton of ice cream. You will get over it though. You will not notice that you are wearing the same thing every day when you are watching the most amazing sunsets. You will not care that the food isn't gourmet when you are laughing so hard at dinner with all the new friends you have made. You will not care about having to stand in a formation for ten minutes a day when you can look over the side of the ship and see dolphins or off to the horizon and see a rainbow. There are inconveniences - everything will not run smoothly. You are surrounded by a hundred students learning how to run the ship; you are just along for the ride. So respect what they are doing to keep the ship sailing and make friends with the CMA cadets. They are not like the people you are used to dealing with at Cal Poly, and they are fun and interesting and you would miss a huge chunk of the trip if you didn't get to know them.

This trip will be the coolest thing you will ever do if you sign up; there is nothing like being completely cut off from the outside world and all of its comforts. It will change the way you think about how you spend your time and what you take for granted. Take morning classes so you have the afternoons to play, suntan, and watch sunsets. Bring more money than you think you might need, you spend a lot in port. Bring lots of t-shirts and comfy shoes. Girls should bring going out shoes that have closed toes, because no flip-flops are allowed. Also, bring nicer clothes for nights in ports; other countries have dress expectations for clubs and bars. Don't spend all your time emailing home because you will miss what is happening around you. Most of all, be open minded, patient, and ready to be blown away by all that you will see. Have fun, because you will not get an opportunity like this ever again and it goes by fast.

Safe sailing.

p.s. Make friends with Mom, the baker - her cookies are unreal.