Semester at Sea: Don't even question whether you should do it - just GO! It will change your life. Past Review
By Heather K (Geology, Whitman College) for
Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus
my experience on Semester at Sea has shaped my entire life. The adventure of being a world traveller and learning so much about so many other countries, cultures, and people spawned an unquenchable thirst for more in my life. When the voyage ended, my life voyage began. When I graduated college, I moved 3000 miles away, across the country to continue my life adventure. It has given me a cultured view of world affairs, and a renewed deep appreciation for what we have as American citizens. There's not a day that goes by that I don't wish I could board up on the ship and do it all again. And I'm writing this 10 years after my voyage!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses were relatively easy compared to my primary college. I was not a huge fan of the core class as it was hard to promote a good learning environment with 600+ students all in the same class at the same time. Overall, the classes were great - especially because the teachers geared each lesson around the next port of call. This really added to the overall learning experience and gave you things to look for and observe in the ports when you got there. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Each port of call had a "guest" board our ship and sail with us one port before theirs. They provided us with essential and fascinating cultural do's and dont's as well as some language assistance. This greatly helped us with what to expect and how to behave and dress in the next port of call. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Semester at sea is a floating university on a cruise ship. It was very comfortable. |
| * Food: |
Pretty typical cruise ship food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Constant cultural information and events as every class on the ship was taylored towards the next port of call. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Literally any type of person can benefit from Semester at Sea. You don't need to be an experience traveler or have tons of money to do this voyage. Where there's a will, there's a way to get on that ship. People like me who have participated in the program believe in it so much, we donate our money afterward to help other students participate. This is not a "party boat" or "boooze cruise". This is absolutely a cultural awakening and in many, a spiritual awakening as well. The hardest part is pulling into your debarkation port and leaving the ship. Do it, it will absolutely enrich your life and your experience. |
