Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing experience on-ship and in 10 countries! February 18, 2025

By (Marketing, Arizona State University) - abroad from 01/05/2024 to 04/20/2024 with

Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about different cultures, economics, businesses, and more.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses offered on the ship were very diverse and had a general selection of classes for many majors. The professors on board were very well-educated in their field of teaching and all had many years of experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Visiting 10 countries over the span of 3 months is an amazing opportunity! Personally, I visited Thailand, Malaysia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Portugal, and Germany.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing options on the ship ranged from 2 - 3 students to a cabin. These room options very fairly different for families, professors, staff/faculty, and life long learners. Each cabin had its own bathroom and they were a decent enough size to live in for an extended period of time with a lot of storage space.

* Food:

The dining hall food is exceptional, there are two different dining halls included in the tuition on the ship, not including separate dining areas to purchase snacks and drinks around the ship as well as a restaurant.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would rather have done this program than have lived in country and stayed in the same location for a whole semester.

Finances

* 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)

While being on this ship has its expenses, if you wish to travel in-country away from the ship each night you will have to pay separately for housing and food.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $250.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Have a weekly budget for both in-country and on-ship expenses.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I enjoyed traveling across 3 continents with friends and peers.
  • The faculty
  • The ship/living community
* What could be improved?
  • Their communication prior to embarkation.
  • Selection of classes.
  • Field classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew what to pack and what not to pack.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.