Program Reviews

I sailed on Semester at Sea during the Fall 2013 voyage around the Atlantic. I was actually on crutches for the first month of the voyage, and then in a boot for the rest, so I had a very interesting experience. That being said, I am very grateful that I went and have grown so much because of it. A typical day on the ship will include breakfast, then a class or two, then lunch, then I would be done! I'd often do homework on an outside deck in the sun, or read while sunbathing. I read a lot of books while we were at sea. I would also attend special seminars in the evening that would be about the next port we were visiting or about a professor's expertise, including a session on favelas in Brazil, and even a talk about living and working in space by our two astronaut professors. When we were in port, there is no typical day, and every day is a new adventure. I saw theatre in Dublin on a whim, met phenomenal people in a township in South Africa, traveled through the Amazon, saw baseball in Cuba, the stories go on and on. Some people experienced sea sickness but I loved the rocking of the ship at night as I fell asleep. I met some incredible people who are very passionate about exploring and bettering the world who I remain in contact with. I had the travel bug before Semester at Sea and since the voyage I only want to continue exploring the world. While this program is very different from a traditional immersion experience, there was no other way I would have been able to see so much of the world in so little time.

I had always wanted to study abroad in Europe, but when I found SAS instead I knew it would be so much better. I can always go to Europe on my own, but the experiences I would gain with SAS would be much more difficult independently. I went to countries that I would probably never imagined traveling to on my own. Even better I was there with the safety of a company over me. SAS really preparea you for each country, from making sure you know the exchange rate to also knowng how to contact all relative authorities (police, hospital, embassies). Inforation that would have been more difficult to find on my own.

Semester at Sea is great for getting a taste of different cultures and different countries. I would recommend the program to anyone! I hope to return as an alumna one day!

The only complaint I have is on the Summer 2013 Voyage our Academic Dean forced our Professors to give more deliverables. I needed a B to get credit; thus balancing schoolwork, traveling, and socializing was a struggle. Sometimes I wonder if I ever recovered from sleep deprivation that summer. For example, when I was in France and Barcelona, I spent a lot of my time working on a research paper.

The crew members are amazing, the experiences are unforgettable, and the giggles never stopped.

Semester at Sea was an incredible was for me to experience around 17 different countries, while still getting an eye-opening education and making friends. Living on a cruise ship with 400 other students is a great way to branch out and throw yourself into completely different cultures alongside your friends. Since the teachers live on the ship with you, you really get to know them and see them all the time. The program wants to make sure you don't have time to feel homesick by constantly planning fun events and activities in between ports. I would highly recommend this program and it has definitely made a lasting impact on me.

Semester at Sea gives you the opportunity to live with college students from around the world, along with your teachers and their families, travel the world via oceans and seas, all while taking classes. I went on SAS without knowing anyone, now I have lifelong friends all over the country and the world. I went to markets in Morocco, volunteered at a cultural youth center, went on hikes, went on a jeep tour, went to Pamukkale, partied in Barcelona, along with SO much more I NEVER thought I would get the opportunity to do. I thought I would never be able to go on SAS because it was too expensive, but I got almost the whole tuition in scholarships and traveled as cheap as possible while still having the best time of my life. I learned so much about myself, other cultures, tried SO much new food, saw DOLPHINS & WHALES, and had the most influential teachers. Advice: wake up for sunrises, they're the most amazing sunrises youll ever see, don't spend all your money on partying but definitely experience the nightlife & explore cities LATE at night with a group!

Semester at Sea has a reputation among some institutions as being a party cruise. While there are a population of students on each voyage whose first mission in each and every country is to find the closest bar (love those USD kids), it is also an unparalleled experience not offered anywhere else. 11 countries in 4 months with true freedom given to students to explore is a breeding ground for party-seekers on a parent dime. However, as in my case, it is also bred a traveler who found her independence, determination and capability of wonder.

Academics were rigorous. Living conditions were-yes- extremely nice, being on a renovated cruise ship. But, hey, it's still a big step for a lot of people to crunch down living space to approx. 30 square feet and call a boat home for 4 months.

I recommended SAS to everyone. 3 friends took me up on it. We each had amazing and different experiences, but were able to relate to so much of each other's experiences. Both regarding ship life and traveling.

To be improved: Financial aid should match whatever student is receiving at university. On the flip side, would have loved opportunities for students without financial aid or work study to work on board. Working on board- for those who sought a job or needed the money, despite receiving no official work study- would have been a great way to support travel and integrate into the ship community.

Semester at Sea is hands down the best way to see as much of the world as possible during a study abroad experience. The variety of cultures, both on the ship and in the various ports, is unmatched. I considered Semester at Sea the best decision I have ever made, and it has transformed me into a global citizen.

I was a senior in college when I did this program (which went to Europe and North Africa). It was great that I got to meet people that were Juniors and Seniors, but social wise people were more into being of drinking age, going out, and getting completly wasted in port. The professors were great, some of the staff were nice and some really unhelpful- however, the staff changes every voyage so don't let that keep you from going! If you go out and explore, do a mix of SAS programs and not. For the countries I didn't feel as comfortable in I did a city tour the first morning or day to get my berrings with a group, THEN went out with friends. There were good, bad, and downright ugly times but overall I'd definitely go again. Best part? Over a year later and I still talk to my ship friends everyday. Once in a lifetime experience.

Semester at Sea is, as they all say, a truly life changing experience for all of the right reasons. Looking back, I have no regrets except for sleeping because if I didn't absolutely NEED sleep SAS would've been my reason not to. There is not one moment where there isn't someone interesting and exciting to talk to, something fascinating and eye opening to see, and even a dull moment. I would live on that ship if I could and be totally and completely happy with my life.

There is so much to be said about Semester at Sea. First off you live, travel and study on an incredible ship (don't make the mistake of calling it a boat). And this ship becomes home and everyone on board becomes extended family. Teachers and their families become life long friends and life long learners become mentors and travel companions. The back deck is a study room, a ping pong palace, a pool side resort and frequent reading nook all wrapped in one. There is something to be said about studying outside and looking up to see the never ending blue of the ocean. You will have to train yourself to walk, work out and play basketball on swaying grounds but after a while you learn to love the movement as it rocks you to sleep at night. And don't under estimate Taco Night, PB&J Sandwiches and the Chocolate Chip cookies, all of these things will develop a new meaning in your life.

Traveling with SAS is really great because you are provided the freedom to pack a bag and take off on your own/with some friends or you can sign up for the awesome trips that SAS has already planned out. As long as you make it back to the boat before it leaves the port you have complete freedom to make each stop your own personal adventure.

Traveling with Semester At Sea was one of the best decisions I ever made and I would do it again in a heart beat. Who knows maybe I'll wait and go as a life long learner in the future. If you are looking for a unique and rewarding experience definitely sign up for Semester at Sea.