Program Reviews

I was looking for a study abroad opportunity that allowed me to visit more than one country/location - without relying only on weekend/personal travel. Semester at Sea was the perfect program to truly open myself to the world. Your courses are geared to helping you learn and appreciate every location you stop - even in a course as simple as creative writing! And your professors come from every corner of the world - making for an environment that encourages information exchange and learning support. Semester at Sea was both my most rewarding and most academically challenging semester in college. It has changed the way I think and act and has made me a better world citizen. Plain and simple, there's nothing like going to bed and waking up in a new foreign land that is just waiting to be explored. Don't let the idea of living on a ship deter you... I doubt you can find even one person who has sailed with Semester at Sea that regrets it!

Semester at Sea is a truly unique program; it's unlike any other study abroad experience available. Deciding to go on Semester at Sea was kind of a no brainer and easily the best decision I made during college! This comparative cultural experience allows you to experience the world in a new way and truly gain insight into each culture. While this program may be a nontraditional study abroad experience, that's also what makes it so amazing! The way I see it, you can always go to Europe and travel, but how often are you going to have the opportunity to circumnavigate the globe with a ship full of AWESOME people and go to countries in Africa, Asia, Latina America, and more! In addition to being an incredible program, SAS also forged lifelong friendships because sharing this incredible experience has a way of bonding people like none other!

I really enjoyed Semester at Sea. I didn't know anyone when I started, and I left with lots of friends, four of which I have visited in the past few years.

Most days on the ship were very full. I ate 3 meals a day with friends. I would also go to class, work on homework, sit on the deck, exercise, nap, and read a bit. In the evenings, I often played cards with friends. I had a lot of time to read and I enjoyed completing lengthy books.

I liked the pre-port lectures and Global Studies class because it prepared me for what I would see in-country. My favorite countries were South Africa, Thailand, and India.

I am very glad I did Semester at Sea. Several years after completing the program, I got a Masters in International Relations. I also worked in Cambodia for a bit.

In-Country Stops:
Visiting 10 different countries in one semester was the best thing about the program. Each country had unique opportunities, and gaining exposure to so many cultures and people was wonderful. Some students used this time to goof off because you don't have classes while in port, but I tried to take advantage of many of the planned activities or to explore on my own. I'm really glad that I did! Especially memorable were the activities that involved direct interaction with the locals - homestays, volunteer activities (orphanage, etc.), discussions on local or international topics of interest. There is a huge range of prices for in-country activities, and you don't have to pick the most expensive activities to have a wonderful experience.
Ship Life:
A lot has changed since I sailed in 2000 (including the ship itself), but living on a ship was an adventure. We didn't have internet on board at the time, which was difficult but I think a benefit overall. It required us all to disconnect and spend time in the moment. It took a while to get my sea legs and we experienced some bad storms crossing the Pacific (end of voyage). In retrospect, I probably should have spent more time on a boat prior to committing to SAS so that I knew how I would do at sea, but ultimately I made it through and am glad I went, even though I was seasick a decent amount.
My voyage was about 30% male/70% female, which made the social scene interesting. Many females just decided to bow out of the dating game and enjoy the time with girlfriends since the odds were against them. Alcohol was very strictly controlled on the ship, but served to 18+ in international waters. On the nights when alcohol was served, most people spent their time drinking in the very long line at the bar while waiting for the next drink - not a very fun way to drink, in my opinion, but it seemed to be very important to a lot of people.
The rooms and bathrooms are small, but have the basics that you need.
Packing:
Laundry service is provided on the ship, so you don't have to take a ton of clothes. My recommendation would be to pack one suitcase of the clothes and personal items that you want to have with you and one suitcase with things to barter/give away; this will give you an empty suitcase to use for souvenirs on your way home. I brought new t-shirts and socks to barter in Africa. Wish I had brought some fun things to give to kids in-country. The poverty in which so many live is unbelievable compared to our standard of living, and the smallest gift can bring them a lot of joy!
Summary:
Overall, SAS was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I was very homesick and seasick at first, but am so glad I stuck it out! I learned a ton about myself and the world, and it gave me the courage to get out and explore the world every chance I have.

Amazing journey, I always wanted to travel the world and w sas I got too. Made lifelong friends through the program. Wish I would have taken advantage more of the nw opportunities while I was abroad.

Hands down best way to travel and study. Travel anywhere from 5-15 countries and get up to 12 credits for college, what is better then that!?! You will get the opportunity to spend 4-5 days exploring a country, partying, and making friends! You will learn to love new cultures and leave with so many friends from around the world. I went as a student in my masters program and wouldn't trade it for the world- that's because I had the world at my hands! I wish you the best of luck when you choose where to study, but how many people can say the lived and studied in the ocean!?

Semester at Sea is one of a very few study abroad opportunities for undergraduate students to have a truly comparative international experience. There is something so magical about waking up every few days in a new country, new culture, and ready to have some of the most intense and thoughtful intercultural dialogues. SAS is for the student who has been blessed with wanderlust, who has a desire to learn, grow and take a risk. This program is for the student who understands that the world may seem big, but through intercultural experiences, it is getting smaller and deeper each and every day

As a student without a language focus, this was a great way to see many different parts of the world without having to commit to one culture and language! Life on the ship is structured with classes, activities, groups, meetings, etc but when in port you have be option to explore on your own or do field programs through Semester at Sea. Each class requires certain field programs, but they're easy to get done so you can spend time doing things that internet you.

I have such a hard time trying to describe SAS to people. There are many great study abroad programs out there...but SAS is not just simply another "study abroad program." It's an all-encompassing, life-changing, introspective, and personally challenging experience that will stretch you as much as you allow it to.

Every personal boundary, opinion, bias, and perspective will be tested as you sail between 10+ countries. As you're confronted with so many different cultural intricacies and challenges, all right in a row, you have no choice but to compare experiences and re-evaluate yourself and your role in society. So much change and travel means there is never enough time to become stagnant or comfortable. You're patience and flexibility is constantly tested, and you'll grow so much personally because of it.

There's the big, not-to-be-missed sightseeing opportunities: hiking Table Mountain in South Africa, being yards from a wild lion on an African safari, standing at the base of the Taj Mahal. There's the unique local experiences: sliding down sand dunes in Namibia, sampling street food everywhere, wandering markets and bartering. There's the personal, reflective experiences: the feeling of staring at the horizon for days on end while sailing the ocean is something I will carry with me my entire life. There's the social experiences: learning a ton about yourself and your ship friends as you're sequestered on the ship for days on end. They will become and remain some of your best friends for a lifetime.

You will see the good in the world and the world's people. A friend and I were once stranded at an internet cafe late at night in a giant thunderstorm in a tiny Guatemalan town, a 35 minute drive away from where the ship was about to leave port that night. There were no taxis or transportation in sight. We asked the cafe owners (who spoke broken English) for advice. They easily could have let two clueless Americans fend for ourselves. However, they instead offered to personally drive us back to the ship, which was clearly out of their way. We tried paying them as a token of thanks, but they refused to accept any money. Everybody I know from SAS has a similar story...there is lots of good left in the world, if you learn where to look.

Bottom line: SAS changes you, in the best way possible. It's everything a study abroad program should be. Please contact me with any questions; I can't begin to describe how SAS has personally affected my life.

I highly recommend this program for your junior year/semester abroad. Unlike most programs where you go to one place, this program is on a cruise ship which travels either around the world or to various continents (depending on the semester). This has several advantages. You leave your property on the ship while you go out to explore the country, this is much better then having to lug your things from place to place. Most meals are included on the ship so you dont have to worry about finding places to eat everyday although many students tend to seek some authentic meals in each of the countries) You get to see a lot of different countries, for those of you who cant decide this solves that issue. Also the ship goes to several ports where most people could not go by themselves, some are exotic, others USA citizens might not be allowed to go. Not only does the cruise go to many distant and interesting ports but you get college credit for doing so (most colleges will give you credit need to check with your specific college). The classes are held on the days the ship is at sea. the courses are in english another plus for those who do not speak and understand a foreign language