Semester at Sea: Study Around the World

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person. Every voyage is different and will be a whole new experience so enjoy the journey. You will not regret going on a voyage of a lifetime!

Live on a ship for 3/4 months and travel the world!!! This was the best experience of my life! I met lifelong friends and experienced countries in ways that make you feel local. Honestly the most I think i’ve ever gotten out of school! I learned things i never would have experienced in a normal classroom! The program is absolutely. positively. life changing! If you’re thinking of doing it, do it. While i know it is pricey it was worth every bit of it. I don’t regret it and would do it again if I could!

I LOVED IT!!! I visited countries I never thought I would be able to visit. We spent about 6 days in each country so it was just enough to see the big landmarks. The ship introduced me to some of my best friends and helped me learn about different cultures. All the classes on the ship were tied into the next country we were going to. The professors were very knowledgeable about what to expect in the next country. Overall, it introduced me to the world and the different cultures. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Semester at Sea gave me opportunities I never would've dreamed of and friendships that will last a lifetime. This program is unique when it comes to having your entire campus in the middle of the ocean. You live with your professors, classmates, and faculty, which creates a special sense of community you won't get anywhere else. I traveled to over 10 countries across 3 continents over the span of 5 months, all with like-minded and adventurous students. Knowing I'll never experience anything quite like this again is sad, but I am entirely grateful for the experience I had and 100% recommend it to everyone.

I don’t even know where to begin! Semester at Sea was truly a life-changing experience. There’s no other program where you can see so many different places in a single semester. For example, I visited 10 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, experiencing diverse cultures and meeting people from all over the world. Semester at Sea also gives you incredible freedom: while docked, you can join field programs or explore each country independently. Through this journey, I not only learned about the world but also about myself. I became more independent, more confident, and gained a global perspective that has completely changed the way I see the world.

Semester at Sea was the most incredible, life-changing, eye-opening 4 months of my life! I truly enjoyed everything about the program, from the housing, academics, ship life, and in-country experiences. The ship is an incredible place full of people from diverse backgrounds. The ship crew is one of a kind and the most giving, caring crew you could imagine. The food on the ship is decent and after a couple months gets repetitive but there are other options like fancy dinner and the pool bar to change it up when needed. The rooms are small but they are very nice for a cruise ship. The professors and faculty are amazing and the classes are not too terribly difficult since the professors are also there to enjoy the experience and travel with their partners and families. There are activities almost every night, whether they are organized or not, you can always find something to do. In-country travel was another wonderful experience that forced me out of my comfort zone in so many good ways. My voyage started in Bangkok, Thailand, and then we visited Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Spain, and ended in Germany. I had a fantastic time in each country and used multiple SAS field programs to travel in groups but also did independent travel with my friends from SAS. Whichever way you choose to travel SAS provides food ideas, places to visit, things to do, emergency contact numbers and there is always a staff member on call if needed.

I have no bad things to say about this program. My life was truly changed and not a day goes by that I do not think about my experience.