Semester at Sea: Study Around the World

Of all the decisions I’ve made, choosing Semester at Sea as my study abroad program was by far the best. I knew I wanted to explore multiple countries rather than stay immersed in just one, and when I discovered SAS in my university’s offerings, I immediately knew it was the perfect fit. Over four unforgettable months, I traveled to 10+ countries across 3 continents, creating lifelong memories along the way.

The shipboard community is truly one-of-a-kind—tight-knit, supportive, and full of energy. I made some of my closest friends while learning about new cultures in the most hands-on way possible. From visiting the Taj Mahal to riding camels in the Sahara Desert, each moment was unforgettable. I couldn’t have asked for a more enriching, exciting, or transformative experience.

I’m forever grateful for Semester at Sea—and I hope you find a journey just as meaningful.

Participating in Semester at Sea was hands down the most transformative experience of my life. Traveling to multiple countries while taking classes aboard a ship gave me a global education that you can’t get from a traditional classroom setting.

You get to visit 10 different countries in the course of a single semester where you get to experience new cultures and meet new people every step of the way.

What makes Semester at Sea even more special is the people you meet along the way. The bonds you make with fellow students and professors are unmatched and something you would never find in a traditional learning environment.

If you’re considering semester at sea, DO IT!! You won’t regret it!

I should start by saying semester at sea is not for everyone - It is for high energy, highly dedicated students who want to dive into the cultural and geographic differences of their subject of study. Class sizes are small and personal, allowing for life long connections with professors and peers. How many times have you discussed nutrient cycling of estuaries over breakfast with your professor. Yet, with almost 600 students and life long learning, there is no shortage of finding your people. The ability to explore and compare multiple cultures in one educational experience is unique and semester at sea takes full advantage of that. You will study your field from the smallest to largest scale and visit real businesses, organizations, and governments to understand how your studies are applied around the world.

Not everyone will have the same experience, but like all things, you get out what you put in. I have never learned, and really retained the content, more in any other semester of college. And now I have peers and worldwide connections to last a lifetime.

If you're thinking about doing Semester at Sea, I encourage you to find anyway possible to make it happen. The part of Semester at Sea that is obviously great is traveling to 10+ countries and exploring the world, but the part that I miss the most is the community and home that I found aboard the ship. From the incredible traditions like Neptune Day, Sea Olympics, and more, to the care and love of every professor and Staculty member, to the lifelong friendships I found with my fellow voyagers, Semester at Sea is far more than a study abroad program -- it's a community that lasts a lifetime, and an experience that will shape your future in unimaginable ways.

My son participated in the Spring 2022 voyage as a GAP year student. Contrary to program description, there is no support for the small subset of younger GAP year students. My son was bullied by an older roommate, and after having paid for an outside cabin was placed in an interior space without windows (again, paid for outside cabin at 100% list price -- no aid, no discount) He was basically told to "suck it up." Although kids are told intoxication, etc. would not be tolerated, it was rampant without recourse (a night in "drunk tank" in medical area). Similar to sex. Confusing since they're told not to "hook-up" during presntations but there are bowls of condoms available throughout the ship. Academically, no extra consideration. Again, GAP year students are simply thrown into the mix of majority junior year college students. Try CIEE - two successful summer programs completed in China and Italy (prior to Semester at Sea).

I was a student aboard the old World Campus Afloat program Spring 1975 voyage prior to the renaming to Semester at Sea. SP75 traveled east from Florida and ended in Los Angeles after voyaging for about 25,500 miles, for 107 days and visiting 13 different counties and stopping in 13 different ports. I had one outstanding professor, two very good professors and one who should have never been teaching. Overall, the academics, environment and experience were top notch with the one exception. Accommodations aboard the Ship were not much different than living in the Dorms. As we all learned during the 1st week aboard, tolerance, respect and patience for your fellow shipmates or you didn't survive.

After being off the ship and completing the experience 47 years ago, the experience of this semester still remains a life changing event. It indirectly changed my path for employment, it certainly changed my perspective on how the rest of the world views America and Americans, and it allowed me to view America from the outside looking in with hopes and intent of making America and the World a little better. And I am still in touch / communicate with fellow students from SP75.

Taking college courses on a ship was unlike any experience I've had and taught me how to be a global citizen.
During my time on Semester at Sea, we traveled to 13 countries and experienced 13 different cultures. During in-country days I participated in organized field classes that allowed me to apply concepts from my courses to actual interactions with local experts and organizations. The information I learned during these in-country experiences will forever have an impact on me and my learning.
Voyage 129 taught me how to be flexible, open-minded, resilient, and globally aware. I am grateful to have been a part of an incredible program and I recommend it to any college student!

Semester at Sea had a profound impact on my life. By the time I boarded the MV Explorer, I had been to 15 countries and participated in three study abroad programs, but SAS impressed an intrepid traveler like me. Few programs can compare with SAS: a dozen or so ports of call, 100+ days of sailing and exploring the world, a multitude of classes in a variety of subject areas, a floating campus complete with extracurricular activities, and a global community like no other. While the price is steep, this is an investment in your future that you can't afford to skip. For some, the cost is comparable and, in some cases, less than a semester at some colleges. For others, scholarships, financial aid, and careful budgeting may help as they did for me. It may have taken me a decade to pay off my SAS student loan, but the memories, knowledge, perspective, and friendships I gained are priceless.