Two young Bermudians are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime after winning scholarships to study the oceans this summer.

Zara Ward, 18, and Travis Burland, 19, will spend a month at the Sea Education Association (SEA) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, followed by a month at sea on a tall ship.

Five thousand students apply each year for less than 300 places at Woods Hole, but only 400 complete the arduous application process.

The persistence of the two former Saltus Grammar students has resulted in them winning $5,000 scholarships from the Sea Education Association, jointly organised by Bermuda Underwater Exploration Association (BUEI).

As well as studying the marine environment, the pair will learn how to crew a large exploration vessel.

Rafe Parker, the President of SEA and an international advisor to BUEI, said: "They say that the human species is driven to explore the oceans and the mountains and at the end of that exploring, they will return to find themselves for the first time.

"What Zara and Travis are about to do is just that. They will explore the oceans, climb the tall ships but ultimately they will get to know themselves.

"When they come back, they will be different people for it. They will feel a sense of pride that they were part of something shared with others that is difficult.'' Ms Ward from Hamilton Parish, is studying anthropology at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, while Mr. Burland, from Sandys, is studying ocean engineering at Florida Institute of Technology.

Ms Ward was one of 160 Bermudians who served as sail crew during Tall Ships 2000 race and Mr. Burland has represented Bermuda sailing Optimist Prams, 420s and Vanguard 15s.

They will join an international team of students and scientists on board the tall ship Westward , which will sail for a month around the New England coast and as far away as Bermuda.

After receiving his scholarship at BUEI, Mr. Burland said: "I am really looking forward to this experience and I'm hoping to represent Bermuda to the fullest.

"It's an experience I can bring back to Bermuda and hopefully share it with people. I want to get more people involved in this sort of programme and it would be good to get more Bermudians doing this.'' Ms Ward said: "I'm pretty excited. I figured I would get it because I did Tall Ships 2000 and my grades were good.

"It will be great to get more sea experience. I didn't want to leave the boat last year and I was eager to get back.''