Peace Boat

The Latin American voyage from Panama to El Salvador in the summer of 2017 was an incredible experience for me. The program helped me gain an understanding of several cultures very different from my own. We had the opportunity to eat the local cuisine, explore the area, and interact with the people while learning about the efforts of these regions to achieve the United Nation’s 17 sustainable development goals. Getting to see and speak to the people was what I found most meaningful. You get the opportunity to hear their stories as they impart their wisdom to you. It can be rather eye-opening at times to talk to people my age who have a very different life. This program gives you the chance to get to talk and get to know some of the locals. It was a great opportunity and all the participants were wonderful people to spend time with as well.

1) I travelled with a purpose: discovering places, meeting new people from different backgrounds, in places that just being tourist would not happen.

2) In this world, every world fits: our travel was in Latin America, but onboard you meet many different cultures from many different countries.

3) My "country" doesn't define me: I had my culture, but after meeting other places on Peace Boat, I took and learned other people's great characteristic and make it mine, to be able to build my own personality, you also discover that onboard we are all seeking the same "peace and understanding"

4) You have fun in an academical programme: this programme is supported by an academical background, which after having so much fun you realise that it looks great on your CV.

5) PEOPLE AND SEA!

I had an opportunity to be part of the Peace Boat Global Voyages to travel to Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. I loved every bit of my time on the boat where I was exposed to lectures by accomplished professionals from different field. More ever, what was more important to me was to get to know these activists and professional personally and discuss my opinions and concerns off the stage.

During the port calls, I had an opportunity to learn more about different approaches to solve social problems by visiting NGOs, citizen's groups and hearing the testimony of locals.
Overall, it was a trip for a lifetime where I made friends, learnt about the world, its problems and people who are trying to make a change and contribute in some way! All of it, while travelling across countries on a very comfortable boat.

Peace boat offers you the chance to learn from a wide range of experts whilst travelling the world. Once you reach a port you'll have the opportunity to see first hand what you have been learning on board. The "Sailing for sustainability" program offered an intensive learning, and hands on experience on each of the four countries visited. This very holistic approach to learning and experiencing the world is with out a doubt a once in a life time opportunity.

The organizing team were always helpful, and friendly. The atmosphere on board was very cheerful and it provided the participants a space to engage each other in a deeper and more meaningful way that for sure will result in life long friendships. It is a life changing experience that I recommend to everyone.

The programme offered many experiences that were authentic, motivational, flared new ideas, new awareness and life-changing. Along with meeting some phenomenal young people just like me in the developing world who does fantastic work.

The programme had a range of localised examples of how sustainability is being implemented in the 4 countries we visited. The Peace Boat offered an extensive range of presentation topics on peace and provided numerous linkages to other subject areas, with an environment to engage the presenter on a deeper level. Also, we had opportunities to share which were particularly proud moments but inspiring from the levels of engagement we received after each of them.

In preparation for this voyage, the staff was very responsive and supportive before and during the programme. They formulated a fun experience for learning that simply can not be forgotten!