Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Lifelong Community and Unforgettable Experiences February 19, 2025

By (English, Chapman University) - abroad from 01/05/2023 to 04/21/2023 with

Semester at Sea Study Abroad: Make the World Your Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So worthwhile. Learned to view the world in different ways, the importance of education, and the lifelong value of travel.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Semester at Sea is truly the experience of a lifetime. It's unique not only in the amount of countries and culture it exposes its students to, but also the incredible community that you make on board. No other study abroad program curates a community like Semester at Sea -- through long-standing traditions like Sea Olympics and Neptune Day, to impromptu stargazing sessions with professors or game nights in the library, everything about Semester at Sea's ship life is set up to create connections among voyagers. I still meet up with the lifelong friends I've made, and keep in contact with the professors and adults on the voyage as well. If you're looking for a study abroad experience that not only shows you new sights and culture, but also has a strong internal community that prides itself on continual learning and connection, look no further than Semester at Sea.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Private bathroom in every cabin, and cabin stewards work hard to keep everything tidy. I had more than enough storage.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Semester at Sea does a great job in giving you lots of information about the countries that you're visiting, including its political climate, social history, geography, and current events happening. When you visit each country, you go in with the needed background to be able to engage authentically, rather than traveling blindly.

* 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 hope to be able to go back and teach on the ship!

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)

Don't have to pay for transportation to each new country, and you can always eat and sleep on the ship, making the travel able to be cheap. Additionally, many of the countries you're traveling in are quite cheap, making it possible to get meaningful experiences on a budget.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would recommend saving up minimum 3500 dollars for in country travel. I spent about 3000 dollars on personal travel throughout my four months, but I took 5000 with me to be safe. If you're on a budget like I was, plan ahead. I worked full time for two summers to save up.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Community Building
  • Variety of Countries
  • Support given by Administration
* What could be improved?
  • Laundry Services
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Plan ahead, and bring clothes that can serve the weather in the wide variety of climates!

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.