Semester at Sea

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.

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.

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.

SAS as a recent high school graduate was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to sail on the Fall 25 voyage as an international gap year student. The experience as a whole was so unique and I truly do not believe that you can find such a program anywhere else. The accommodation was so surreal because I got to wake up and see the waves as we sailed across the world. The community SAS builds is welcoming and kind because whenever I had a problem on the ship or in port, I never once felt alone or stranded. There will always be someone in your corner, which I appreciated. A massive thank you especially to the crew members on the ship who always make an effort to get to know your name, check in and give you a smile or laugh whenever you're stressed by travel planning, relationships and/or academics. The food does get quite repetitive if I'm being honest but it's truly a blessing to have such skilled crew members who can create delicious and nutritious meals in the middle of nowhere on the ocean. Pro tip: always get your cake first cause everyone loves the cake and it's always the first to go. In terms of academics. there are a variety of courses and I loved how everything always tied back to our in-port experiences, which allowed us to reflect on our SAS journey deeply, which I think was a crucial aid in how I developed and matured as a person. This was a great bridge between high school and university because I feel that I came out more mature, socially aware and ready for adult life. I also never felt that I couldn't make new friends because everyone is so open and you get to interact with a lot of diversity due to the various represented cultures, backgrounds, religions, nationalities etc. Til now, I am so grateful for the friends I made on SAS and we keep in touch almost daily as we plan our reunion trips. If I had one piece of advice for whoever's reading this, is that you will never truly see and understand the world around you until you're interacting with various people on the ship and in port. So do it!!! You will never regret SAS, I can promise you that :p

I just studied abroad with SAS in spring of 2025. To say this experience changed my life would be an understatement. I cannot recommend this enough. The learning opportunities are amazing, the staff and faculty do everything they can to make this your home away from home, and the traveling experiences are ONCE IN A LIFETIME!

When I completed Semester At Sea in the fall of 2024, it was my first time traveling over seas. Growing up going on cruise’s I was super excited to start this new journey on the floating campus. Going in knowing no one else I was nervous but soon felt so welcomed, the community on the ship is amazing. Getting to travel the world with other college kids that have the same interest as you is such a wonderful experience. The professors and other staff members are there to make your learning come to life and it was magical to watch that happen, exploring your learning in each country was eye opening. Not only getting to explore a country but 10 countries allowed for a broad variety of cultures that we get to dive into and explore was so rewarding. I would 1000% go on Semester At Sea again and would recommend it to everyone if you’re deciding to study abroad.

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 truly the most enriching and inspiring experience of my life. It was invaluable being exposed to so many beautiful cultures, connecting with students, faculty, and staff from around the world, and learning that the world is so vast and yet so interconnected. Because of SAS, I am a more empowered, empathetic, and curious person—and I will forever be grateful for my voyage.

Semester at Sea was by far the best experience I’ve ever decided to do in college! I got to travel to places that I never thought I would visit in my lifetime while also taking college courses. I also created so many lifelong friendships that I will cherish forever.

Studying abroad with Semester at Sea was hands down the best semester of my life. I had the chance to travel the world, meet amazing people, and experience so many different cultures (all of which helped me grow in ways I never expected). Every stop along the way challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and grow in ways a classroom never could. If you’re looking for a sign to just commit and do it, this is it. You won’t regret it!

Almost three years ago, I decided to apply for SAS and give this once far-fetched idea a try. As I covered logistics with my study abroad office, watched tons of videos about it, and read every handbook I could find, I thought I had it all figured out. But little did I know what would await. From newfound confidence in social situations, I learned many life skills, that have had a significant impact in personal growth. Today, whenever people ask me how my semester at sea was, I give them the biggest smile I can and attempt to summarize an experience that no words will ever do justice. I use adjectives like “amazing” and “life-changing” to describe something that was truly more than that. The thought of what this program was and what it did for me brings back so many memories, and I can’t even begin to describe them all in just 30 seconds. I instantly think of the daily bing bong announcements, Berlin story times, and never knowing what day of the week it was. Semester at Sea wasn’t just studying abroad, and traveling the world with some awesome friends. It was an experience built with challenges that translated to how I now view the world, and to me, that’s one of the greatest beauties of this program.

My experience with Semester at Sea was amazing and I would do it again if I could! Its such a unique study abroad program since you go to 10+ countries. I can confidently say it was the most transformative and impactful semester throughout my college experience.

Semester at Sea was simply the best thing I have ever done. It's more than just a normal study abroad experience. With SAS, you get to travel the world while having a ship as your campus; I don't think anything can compare to that. They offer a wide variety of classes for any major, but they also have many classes that explore different aspects of the countries you are visiting to learn more about them. I took World Religions, World History, World Music, and everyone is required to take Global Studies. The professors are all so knowledgeable, and you can tell that they are all so passionate about what they teach. This program really exposes you to all sorts of different cultures and experiences that most people will never get to experience. The sailing aspect also allows you to connect with the other people in such a unique way. It's always so hard to describe it, but the people I met on this voyage will always hold such a special place in my heart, and I know we will still be in each others lives until the end of time. The whole experience really pushes you out of your comfort zone, and I know that I left such a better person than when I first got on. I recommend anyone who has the opportunity to go on one of these voyages, it is something you would never regret and would treasure for the rest of your life.

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.

Semester at Sea changed my life in more ways than I thought possible. I had incredible travel experiences like visiting the Taj Mahal in India, spending a night under the stars in the Western Sahara Desert in Morocco, and seeing penguins at Boulders Beach in South Africa. But all of my travel memories were made so much more meaningful through the classes I took while on Semester at Sea. Learning about the diverse cultures of the countries we visited through lenses of literature, religion, social change, and global studies was an unmatched opportunity. Additionally, I took oceanography during a span where the ocean was truly my home. In addition to my travels and academics, Semester at Sea brought me lifelong friends from all around the globe. In 4 short months, the strangers I boarded the ship with became my family. If you are considering doing SAS, this is your sign!! I have 0 regrets and will cherish this experience for the rest of my life. I am already a year out and I still find a way to bring up SAS in conversation every single day.

I absolutely loved getting to know 400+ students on a ship while traveling across 3 continents. I traveled through Thailand, Malaysia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Portugal, and Germany. Having classes while on the ship and getting to learn about my major in different ports was so interesting.

I studied abroad on the spring of 2022 voyage. Doing this voyage absolutely changed my life. In the span of 4 months, we traveled to 14 different countries and fully immersed ourselves in their cultures. This experience truly did change my life. I grew so much and got out of my shell. I gained independence but also met the most amazing friends that I still travel with to this day. I recommend this program to anyone thinking about doing it, you will not regret it!

Semester at Sea was an exceptional program that pushed me out of my boundaries and showed me the beauty of learning by experience. Not only does the program curate well-accomplished professors from around the world but finds ones who really care about their work and about their students. Not many people can say they have spent the day with their professor eating breakfast on a ship, to then going on a safari in the plains of Kenya, and finishing the day by snorkeling in a marine park to study coastal ecology. This brings up another great aspect of the academics on the ship which is the balance between intensive lecture format study, hands-on education, and field classes in collaboration with organizations and the government of each visited country. Life on the ship is by far the most community-oriented experience I could imagine. It is hard to be alone here. Almost all 600 students will know each other personally by the end of the voyage along with the professors and shipboard staff, making connections to last a lifetime. This voyage allows the exploration of many countries and cultures, along with gaining a greater understanding and respect for the ocean, its connectivity of the world, and the life it holds. You will get closer to nature, cultural diversity, academic success, hundreds of peers, and yourself over the best 4 months of your life. When looking at study abroad options, Semester at Sea was not my first choice. I now cannot imagine my life without it.

This was hands down the best experience of my life. I literally dream about it every night. I learned so much from this experience, all of my professors were so dedicated and involved, and the community on the ship was absolutely incredible!!!!! I have memories from this experience that will definitely shape my life for the better. After figuring out how to travel in other countries, I feel so prepared for all the challenges I might face back home. Definitely do this experience--it is absolutely life changing.

This was the most amazing experience. I learned so much on this voyage that I cannot even describe. Being able to go to so many countries and learn about voyaging on the water was so impactful. I learned all about each country we were voyaging to through the Global Studies class that was required for all voyagers and my classes opened my eyes to new ideas about different topics and how the whole world is impacted. Each port I got to experience something new that I never thought I would be able to. This was a life altering experience that aided me to see the world and travel with people that travel like me. This is an experience unlike any other and would recommend to anyone considering it.

I had an amazing experience exploring the world while meeting students and teachers from across the country living all on one ship. Each port had a new opportunity to learn and explore new cultures and countries. My biggest takeaway is that there are so many opportunities in life to learn and explore, take them when offered - don't miss out because you never know when you might be able to see 12 or more countries in 13 weeks. Not only did I see the world, but I made great friendships along the way and learned a lot about myself. I am grateful that I was able to go on this adventure with SAS.

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!

In 1968 was 10-years-old when my 18-year-old brother went on his first of three Semester At Sea academic voyages. He sent letters to my 4th grade classroom which I read aloud, making me a class celebrity. My brother met and was photographed with Indira Ghandi on his trip! For ten years I dreamed of the day my own SAS shipboard education would manifest. In Spring 1978 I went on my own circumnavigation and turned 21 in Pusan, Korea, celebrating with my new shipmates. I have my Core class journal, diaries, and photos of that trip. It was a most inspiring, eye-opening, wonderful time of my life that I fondly recall now at my age of 65. It forged a love of travel I continue to this day. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

This is the most incredible program out there. This experience of traveling the world, the community on the ship, learning, and lifelong friendships will all stay with you in your heart for a lifetime. You will be constantly wishing you could go back to that time in your life. Unforgettable!

I believe that, as fun and as amazing as it is, Semester at Sea is a rip off. They stole our money from the extra random fuel fees, COVID-19 tests, food, closed decks, closed eating areas, closed pool, closed indoor pool & spa, closed sauna, etc. I would appreciate a refund for all of the restrictions that Spring 22 paid for but did not receive. This voyage was not equal to any other voyage, however we still paid the same amount of money as the other voyages. Not cool.

Semester at Sea is truly an experience like no other. I sailed on the Spring 2020 voyage and while our voyage was cut short, it was still the best experience I have ever had and a year later I still miss it greatly. You have the opportunity to view the world from an entirely new perspective and immerse yourself in a wide range of cultures. You meet so many incredible people and make memories you will never forget. Take advantage of this opportunity-- you won't regret it.

I honestly can't even put into words about how much I love Semester at Sea. It changed my outlook on the world and was by far the most life changing experience of my life. If you're reading this review, DO SAS!! I went completely by myself without knowing a single person and met my best friends on my voyage and have memories with them all over the world. I can't recommend SAS enough and if you're even slightly debating it, just do it. There's nothing else like it in the world and I would pay absolutely anything to be able to live my experience again.

Even though my voyage was cut short due to COVID, I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. The places I went, the things I did, experiences I had, and people I met have profoundly changed me. It may not be the program for everyone, but it was the one for me and I am deeply grateful.

I sailed with SAS in spring 1991. Our route was suddenly changed to South America and Africa due to the Gulf War. The voyage was a fundamental part of my education. It opened my eyes to the world and gave me the confidence and courage to ask better, deeper and more interesting questions. It launched me on my lifelong learning journey and I am forever grateful. The basic idea behind SAS is such a big and exciting idea that I still get chills thinking about it. It's a very unreasonable idea but happened non-stop for more than 50 years: Hold university on a floating campus and take hundreds of students and professors around the world, introducing them to new cultures, new continents and new zones of cognition. My dream to sail again and give back to the program that gave me so much has not died. If anything, it has become more important with the coronavirus, which showed me how fragile present realities are.

I sailed on Semester at Sea in Spring 2017. It has now been over 3 years since I set sail, and I still find myself thinking about the voyage, the staculty, and my shipmates every single day. The in-country experiences were amazing, but the genuine human connections that I made on the ship are what made it life-changing. Semester at Sea gave me my best friends for life!

Semester at Sea is a life-changing experience unlike any other travel opportunity you’ll ever have! Traveling to ten countries around the world within a four month period offers the ability to see cultural differences and similarities that you don’t get with traditional single country study abroad programs. I worked as an SAS Resident Staff member do this was by far my Best Job Ever!

I love SAS and the experience I had while sailing SP'19. There isn't any other program that teaches you first hand about both the good and the bad going on in the world and provides such a hands on learning environment. Learning about global issues and climate change has made me more aware of my impact on the planet and has helped me figure out what I really want out of life and what I want to do with my life. Like anything that involves people, some of the students were obnoxious, spoiled rich brats (speaking as a low-income student) but the Staculty and LLL's more than make up for the students and they are the people you learn the most from anyway.

I wish everyone could have an experience like Semester at Sea! I will never forget it. My life has forever been changed! The friendships I made are lifelong and all of the places that we visited will forever be with me. The staff was amazing and everyone on Semester at Sea genuinely cares about you. It is such an amazing experience

Semester at Sea has by far been my highlight in college. When I first started this journey, there were many challenges, but financing the trip was the biggest obstacle. Thankfully, SAS offers a lot of scholarships and provides guidance on how to get funding for the trip. I was actually one of the student assistants on the ship, which helped a lot and SAS paired me with a donor who helped offset the cost of my trip as well. This voyage has been nothing but life-changing. You become really close with the people that you meet in the first few days (it's now been three months since SAS and I still talk/text/call daily my SAS friends), there's very limited wifi on the ship so you truly get to disconnect from the world, and I mean who can beat traveling to 10 countries, eh? This is such a big experience and putting it into a few words is hard. All I can see is if you're thinking about doing SAS, Do it!!! It will change your life :))

The best 4 months of my life, didn’t regret it for one second. A crazy, unbelievable experience that I will never ever forget. I got to go to the Great Wall of China, ballooning over the temples of Myanmar, experience a night out with the locals of Accra, and so much more all in my time with SAS. And I did all of that with some of my best friends. Don’t hesitate you won’t regret doing it, that’s a guarantee!

If everyone in the world could spend a semester on the MV World Odyssey, the world would be a better place. The endless things I learned and people I met taught me more about the heart of this world than I could have ever imagined. I felt so prepared to enter every country I did because of the education on the ship.. It is truly a cross-cultural study abroad program that leaves you with more knowledge than you ever could have dreamed.

It was amazing. The cultural experiences are unparalleled with any other program in the world. I don't think it gets better than seeing 11 countries in 4 months while making lifelong friends. I can't believe I was lucky enough to experience something like this.

I have never been able to mean it when I say it but this experience is actually priceless. Sure there is a pricetag that comes along with it, but if there is a way for you to make it work, DO IT! All of my schools financial aid (scholarships, grants, merits, etc.) transferred over and you can apply for scholarships through your school and Semester at Sea. The teachers are all just as excited and as inspired as you are to be on this journey. I often get the excuse "well do they have the classes I need? It is going to put me off track" honestly they offer a variety of classes to try and meet your needs, you can take 12-15 credits and if it puts you a little behind, so what! When else are you going to have the opportunity to explore all of these countries over a three month period. College is just the opportunity to do so. Another objection I hear "well I want to stay in one place and immerse myself in one culture" I completely understand this and you could be right, but again, you will never have the opportunity to travel to these locations with the this kind of knowledge and preparation. Semester at Sea will prepare you to travel in each country whether you are independent or traveling in a group. They will provide you with all the tools you need to immerse yourself in the culture as best as you can. I could never put a price tag on the experience I had. I was an introvert prior to this and because of this I have learned how to think outside the box, be extroverted, meet new people, and how to handle uncomfortable situations. You can't just teach those things you have to experience them.

Semester at Sea has changed me - all for the better. This semester was empowering and eye-opening. I learned more during this one semester than the others all combined. The ship itself was a cultural-immersion and learning experience as much as the countries that we docked in. The classes offered are unique and tailored to the countries and cities that we visit - it makes learning more personable and able to go deeper. The professors and staff on board are the best of the best. Everyone on the ship and in the program wants to explore, learn, crave new experience and truly looking to step outside their comfort zone. The ship become a family - I could sit down next to anyone throughout the 5 months on (or off) the ship and have a great conversation. I could not recommend SAS more. It is the experience that has impacted me the most, brought me the best of friends, and showed me more of the world, while also learning about myself.

Semester at Sea was hands down the most incredible experience of my entire life. It changed my view on the world and left me with the most incredible memories that I cherish every single day. If you get the chance to go on Semester at Sea, it is worth every single penny, DO IT.

I would give anything to have the opportunity to do this again. I still get together with alumni from my semester multiple times per year, in my local area, and with best friends made through the program.

Semester at Sea is the best experience abroad you can have. It has everything your looking in an international experience. Its more than just about traveling the world, it is traveling while you study and learn about the places you're visiting. It is a truly cultural immersion everywhere you go, and you continue immersing while you're on the ship with clubs, groups and workshops in which you learn everything about the places you're visiting. The ship community is composed of the best kind of people you will ever meet, there are too many activities to do on the ship. I would definitely recommend it.

Semester at Sea was the best experience of my life! There is no other program where students can get credit towards their university education while traveling the globe. The courses on the ship helped us connect with the countries we visited and gain a better understanding of the world around us. We were able to submerse ourselves into different cultures, explore 11 different countries, and experience the world in first person. One of my favourite aspects of the journey was that after being in a country and overwhelming all of our senses in port, we were all able to return to the ship and process our time with the other voyagers; we became a close nit community who I refer to as my "ship-family". Not only was this family made up of students, but also professors, staff, ship-kids, and the crew. We were able to build personal relationships with those around us and learn as much from each other as we did in the classroom. I learned about the history and background of all the countries we visited, about a few of the environmental problems that are damaging our planet, about how cultures and nations are interconnected, and about how I can be a global citizen. Semester at Sea has opened my eyes to see what possibilities my future holds, and I will forever be grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in such a life changing program.

I was on the Fall 2017 Voyage. It could be hard at times because I did get bored on the ship and didn’t care too much for my classes. But they try their best to make the Voyage as fun as possible! Students create clubs on the ship that I highly recommended getting involved in. I LOVED being in port and exploring a new country each week. Yes, it is a little pricey, but they do offer financial aid. I received over $10,000 in grants from Semester at Sea which paid for half of my tuition. Don’t get a cabin with a window. It’s not worth paying several extra thousands of dollars for a small little window. I had the time of my life! I always wanted to travel and this was the perfect opportunity for me to see the world in a short amount of time!

Semester at Sea is truly a program unlike any other. In 100 days, I had the opportunity to circumnavigate the globe, dive into cultures and communities I had only ever read about in books, create friendships I now wonder how I ever lived without, and become consumed with a love for our world that is beyond anything I could have imagined for myself. Alongside the faculty, staff, students, and lifelong learners, I experienced what it meant to truly live, learn, and explore. I am a completely changed person because of SAS, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be apart of such an incredible shipboard and global community.

Semester at Sea was the most incredible experience of a lifetime. It opens your eyes to the world and yourself. It changes everyone in some way whether it is big or small. Semester at Sea helped me shape what I want to do with my life, gave me lifelong friends that I connected with quicker than any other person before, and installed in me a sense of wanderlust. I am so thankful for this amazing program for allowing me to see the world and to find myself along the way. #sassp15 #lvbv

Could not approve it more. I have dreamed of going back over and over. You will come home with wanderlust and a need to travel the world more. A little pricey to do twice but it would be worth every penny. Academics are pretty easy. The people are often times well-off so if you're pinching pennies like I was it can catch you off guard at first.

I've never felt so connected to my classmates (well, shipmates) and seen my textbooks principles come to life as I did on semester at sea. These have been the best four months of my life, and the girls I've met here will be lifelong friends. Traveling to 12 different countries was also very fun and eye-opening, but I'm tempted to say that the time on the ship was even better. I cannot recommend this program enough!

My experience participating in Semester at Sea left a profound impact on my global perspectives and perceptions of the world. Traveling to 12 different countries over the time span of four months was an extremely rewarding, powerful and influential experience. Not only did I get the opportunity to travel to so many amazing countries, but I also got to sail on three different oceans in order to get to them. Before I left for Semester at Sea these countries had always seemed so out of reach, but SAS taught me that people can go anywhere if they work hard and have the motivation to make it happen. Traveling now feels much more tangible and I have gained the skills and knowledge I need to participate in responsible tourism. I learned how to travel intelligently, how to have cultural sensitivity and how to immerse myself in each culture for the amount of time that I had in each port. Studying on the ship while sailing was amazing and gave us the time to travel while in country. Not only does SAS offer classes that contribute to all majors, but they also teach valuable information about the countries in which they port and how to travel in a responsible and life-changing way. I traveled independently, but SAS offers field programs for those who like a guided tour or a planned itinerary. It was amazing to further my understanding of the world by studying foreign places in the classroom and then porting in those foreign places over the next few months. I am so thankful for the experiences I had both in and outside of the classroom with SAS. Not only do you form amazing relationships with the other students, but you also form relationships with the professors, staff and crew. Living on the ship and being able to travel with the people from such a strong community makes for an even more powerful experience as you circumnavigate the globe. Having the opportunity to visit so many places allowed me to gain travel experience so that I can return abroad in the future and I am so thankful to have participated in Semester at Sea.

Semester at Sea forever changed my life. I studied abroad with them in Fall 2012 and was able to learn about and visit 15 different countries on 4 continents! I received a global education on this program. The courses I took taught me a lot and the professors related the class material to where we were going. The mixture of classes and real life experience greatly helped me learn. Also every night on the ship there were fun and interesting seminars being put on by professors and resident directors. And the shipboard community was the best group of people I have met. I still keep in contact with a large number of my fellow shipmates. The community feel is the best part, everyone knows each other and you become like a family. Also it is literally one of the coolest campuses on earth! The ship is a mid-size cruise ship that has cabins to live in, 9 classrooms, 2 dining centers, gym, basketball court, pool, and much more! While the price may appear more than other programs, trust me you get your moneys worth. Things to consider when looking at the price is that includes 12-15 credits, all meals on the ship, your living arrangements, class field trips, and use of the ship's facilities. Plus Semester at Sea offers its own scholarships and work study opportunities. Look into this program, it will change your life completely!

I chose this program because it is Engineering 1st time on SAS, the prof was from the University of Pittsburgh. It was memorable when we went to kayak into the "spires" in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

I wish that I could explain in a review how much my semester on Semester at Sea meant to me. I continuously tell my parents that it was the best gift that they could have ever given me. I went last fall (fall 2014) so I have been off of the ship for about 4 months and I can honestly say that I miss it and each and every person that I met during my semester, every single day. Before SAS, I had never gone more than three weeks without seeing my parents. I was dependent, pretty immature and sheltered. I walked away from SAS with countless lifelong friends, incredible memories of 16 different countries, confidence that I had never had before, self-awareness, global awareness, a sense of independence, and most importantly a deep appreciation for my parents and the fact that they provided me with the semester of a lifetime. I went from begging my parents to let me come home during the first week of SAS to sobbing in Ft. Lauderdale when I had to leave the ship, my amazing friends, and that incredible experience. If you are thinking about going, go! I promise, it will be the best decision you have ever made. If you are a parent thinking about sending your child, know that it will be the best thing that you could possibly give them.

Semester at Sea truly allowed me to have the BEST 108 days of my life. I recommend this program to anyone and everyone. It is a life changing experience where you will learn, make lifelong friends, and truly see the world! I'd give anything to sail again.

It's a phrase tossed around often while conversing about travel abroad, but my 3.5 months traveling on the Atlantic with Semester at Sea was truly "life changing". It opened my mind to new ways of thinking, opened my eyes to new cultures, my ears to new music and languages and my heart to new friendships. While the time traveling in each country goes without saying as an amazing experience, the time on the ship was also extraordinary. The community on the ship was supportive and geared toward learning that reached past the boundaries of the classroom. We took field trips, got to know our professors as people and had the chance to truly learn first-hand through experience. While the program is expensive, scholarships and work-study positions are available, and it is worth every hard-earned penny!

You are probably here because you desire to Experience The World, Undergo A College Experience Unlike Any Other, Find your passion, Meet Amazing Individuals, Actually Learn And Retain What Your Studying, Get Away From Reality, Get Transferable Credits, Be Able To Afford To Study Abroad, Get The Best All Around Study Abroad Program, Make A Positive Change In The World, Become More Of A Global Citizen, and Live Life To The Fullest! I was in your shoes four years ago seeking to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime by attending a study abroad fair on campus. I now am a FOUR SEMESTER ALUMNUS (4 Voyages) of Semester at Sea (SAS) and have attended TWO of their Enrichment Voyages ever since to try to keep living the dream of what it was to be on that ship during a semester in college! Experience The World The word "study abroad" should not limit you to one country, as the word abroad should indicate the exposure to the world you can obtain from studying outside of your country. With traditional study abroad programs you select a country in efforts to try to immerse yourself and become a part of that culture and country for that semester. In your spare time you may visit surrounding places, areas, countries and cultures within your capability and budget. Now, with Semester at Sea you select from the available itineraries that depend on the semester, political issues, fuel planning, safety, and educational opportunities for being in those places at the time of your study. Common itineraries have been The Mediterranean & North Africa, Northern Europe & The Atlantic, Central & South America, Asia & The Pacific, and AROUND THE WORLD! You travel anywhere between 8 to 15 countries countries during the semester, averaging about 3 days in them, and live onboard of a Cruise Ship reconstructed to create a university atmosphere and community. I underwent most of their itineraries, encompassing a total of 50 different countries in 6 voyages, amounting to about a total of 1.25 years of travel time. Now, being in a country for minimum of a day or a maximum of a week of course does not compare to an actual semester in one place, however, the culture shock that you receive from constantly traveling to new places every couple of days truly gets you out of your comfort zone and forces you to adapt and experience the world, enhancing your overall global perspective. This allows for students to visit and experience an array of places, out of which they can ultimately decide if they ever wish to return to any of those countries, perhaps on their second semester abroad. I mention this because as a student in mostly all universities, you are allowed a year of studying abroad, not including summers. WIth all this said, my favorite semester itinerary was the Around The World, since you truly got to see most of the world and its diversity within those three and a half months living and studying at sea. Undergo A College Experience Unlike Any Other One of the main reasons your probably wanting to study abroad is to undergo such a unique adventure because maybe your college life lacking something, or you feel there is so much more in to college than what your presently experiencing. I know this was a strong influence for me, and Semester at Sea is by far the BEST COLLEGE EXPERIENCE I've had! There are so many factors that contribute to your ultimate semester with SAS. You live amongst a range of between 500-800 students, 100-200 Faculty and Staff, and about 200 Crew Members. You literally are on a floating campus and you are inclined to interact and create some of the best friendships of your life due to the atmosphere and lifestyle you are to live and study in for the semester. You are always traveling which is what studying abroad should be about, especially since you are spending all that money. Your meals are included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), although sometimes repetitive, in a buffet method, which for a college student is heaven since you don't have to worry about cooking or spending money. Your classes are spread out between A and B days, minimum of 4 classes maximum of 5 in a Fall or Spring semester, which gives you ample time to catch up your movies and tv shows, sleep, tan, physical fitness, artistic projects, port planning, social life, and of course homework and studying :) You honestly have so much freedom on board the ship, with so many meeting areas and hang out spots, and there is even a nightly event called Pub-Night that allows 18 year olds and over to enjoy a maximum of three beverages (beer, wine, wine cooler) per night. The lifestyle you have on the ship is definitely not as technologically dependent as it is in our modern world, since you are only given 2-4 hours of free internet time during your semester, mainly used for research projects, and its expensive to buy minutes. However, if you have the money and need the internet, it is there, but not strong enough for skype or anything that consumes heavy bandwidth, yet there is unlimited free emailing. But in all honesty, it is this seclusion of the technological world and introduction into the real world that makes this program what it is. You'll have enough time later for catching up with friends and family, posting pictures, and keeping all your followers updated on your travels. Your time on Semester at Sea is so unique in its atmosphere with so much free time on your hands that you'll decide to try out new things you didn't have time to do before. You might learn how to make video projects, play an instrument, learn a workout routine, become involved with a philanthropic organization on board, and actually have time to be involved in school organizations onboard the ship. Lastly, the accessibility you have to people onboard the ship is insanely awesome, since you can hang out as much as you want without having to drive or travel far to reach them, they are a a phone call away, and you live with your professors and their families. This is by far one of the best things of the programs since the professors are experiencing what you are experiencing and can relate that into the classrooms, they are also always there to assist their students due to their proximity to them, and they cater their courses to the itineraries and that which is happening throughout the voyage. You have all the basic necessities and departments on board the ship, like doctors, phycologists, snacks, a library, a computer lab, IT, an auditorium, a spa, a gym, a pool, campus store, etc. Find your passion With so much time in your hands and so many talented individuals around you, you can definitely pick up on a few things by the end of the semester. You may learn an instrument, become politically active, learn about subjects otherwise unknown to you, begin doing service projects, study an elective that will change your life, or like many hope to do by embarking on this program, find who you are and where you want to be in life after college. This seems to be a huge question that students face before going on Semester at Sea, or even college. THey wish to know what they want to do the rest of their lives, and a part of doing that is experimenting and exploring options. It took me a lot of exploration and experimenting to find something I was passionate about, but after my fourth voyage I found what it was. Passions then become careers, and some of them become globally impacting, like Adam Braun, alumnus of 2005, with Pencils of Promise, or Jeff Steitz, alumnus of 2011, with Serengetee. The diverse pool of students allows for an intermix of ideas, projects, and activities that spark passions amongst the students. My passion was traveling before I began this program, and out of that passion surfaced many others through Semester at Sea. Meet Amazing Individuals I know it sounds like a cliche to say some of your strongest friendships form on this ship. This is because just like you, there are hundreds of other students looking to have the best experience of their lives during the semester, and for the most part you all experience the same kinds of culture shocks, challenges, cultural events, life on board the ship, and exhilarating traveling scenarios. In terms of student life, the beginning of the semester holds a lot of introductions and networking, as students seek to find their place on board the ship, and meet people with similar interests and aspirations. The student life department facilitates this by hosting an array of events and activities on board to encourage this kind of interaction amongst students. As time progresses though, students begin to form their friend and travel groups, which is good but as a prospective student reading this, you should always aim to meet as many people and travel with as many different groups in order to obtain the most out of your experiences. There are more than 50 campuses that are represented on board the ship, most students came by themselves, and some of them came with their colleagues. This creates a interesting atmosphere because there are different ideals and views from all these students with vastly different backgrounds, and the professors also come from different institutions, so their methods of teaching and hosting a class can vary. Also, there are many opportunities throughout the voyages to meet outstanding individuals, sometimes they live with you for some or most of the voyage. They can range from students to staff, faculty, inter-port lecturers, lecturers, crew, special guests, and life-long learners. Some examples I can think of have been, Desmond Tutu, Bill Nye, Adam Braun (Pencils of Promise), Jeff Steitz (Serengetee), Paul Muldoon, and everyday heroes like professor John Boyer (Plaid Avenger), and many more. This is solely on board the ship, but that is not including the people you meet outside the ship during your travels. You become so intrigued and excited throughout your travels that meeting locals and interacting with them becomes inevitable and some of your classes require those interactions for your coursework or research project. During these interactions you may find yourself meeting some of the most interesting or inspiring individuals or groups. I'll finish this section by mentioning one of the hot topics, being that of dating on board the ship. There are three types of dating scenarios on board the ship: couples before the voyage, couples that form during the voyage, and singles that are ready to socialize. Relationships, no matter what type they are, form a stronger bond between them after being together during the voyage and undergoing life changing events and moments together. I like many, met the most beautiful person inside and out through the program, and went from knowing nothing about her to moving to her city for her because of the bonds we created and the memories that will forever be carried with us. Actually Learn And Retain What Your Studying Most people select electives to be taken through this program, but for me out of 16 courses (48 credits) only 2 were electives (6 credits). I chose to do core classes on the ship because you are applying what you are studying to the real world, and you actually get to practice your discipline, making as they say "the world your classroom!" This is one of the reasons I kept coming back since your studies went beyond the textbook, and your classroom was always adapting to its surroundings and making the most out of your experiences and your time in ports. Needless to say, the electives I took were amazing too, and by far the most impacting for me. One of those electives was Geography of Wine, and aside from being an appealing course itself, I can honestly say that this elective has allowed me to find a career path and a desire for further continued education in what I studied on Semester at Sea. Since your education coincides with your memories while traveling the world, the lessons you learn leave an everlasting impression on you that you will always remember and cherish. Some courses even have a philanthropic aspect, almost like service learning, in which your lessons allow for your involvement in a local community and consequently allow you to make a difference while the class makes a difference in you. Get Away From Reality Being on Semester at Sea is unreal! I know when I first heard about the program I was like there is no way you can live and study on a cruise ship while traveling the world. But I took a chance and applied and six voyages later am very proud I took that chance. You are like I had mentioned, isolated in a floating campus traveling around the world, and you are facing the world and the challenges of traveling by yourself. An experience such as this enhances your personal independence, allows for you to mature, enables you to become involved in global issues, and expands your global perspective. Many programs suggest they mold students into global citizens through their programs, but in my experience, there is only one program that does that, and it is Semester at Sea. Your reality during your travels and semester abroad is never ending fun, constant learning both internally and externally, and is based on you and what you wish to accomplish and how far you wish to be adventurous. Be Able To Afford To Study Abroad The biggest challenge students have of doing this program is primarily based on financial aid. This program can be up there in terms of the price for the semester, however, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY THE PRICE! I know it seems like so much money when you first see it, but take it from me, a four time voyager that is more broke than your average broke college student. I'll be upfront and explain my situation to hopefully give you some insight into how you can make your dream of going on semester at sea come true. My mother passed away right before college, her being my sole guardian and financial supporter. I decided to not give up and go to college, worked 2 jobs, was an A/B (3.5+ GPA) student, and had a lot of financial burdens due to the loss of my mother. Nonetheless, I saw the opportunity of sailing with Semester at Sea and decided to apply. I applied with time because there are many logistics to take care of before sailing and I needed time to financially plan my trip. I applied to almost all the scholarships of Semester at Sea, along with about 5-10 outside scholarships per voyage, and received a substantial amount through those outlets, and the remaining amount I negotiated and talked to my campus's financial aid office to transfer any available amount to Semester at Sea. My last resort was loans, but I also obtained those. In total for four voyages I ended up with a 23K loan, so about 6K per voyage. I also took out extra for personal expenses I was to do while traveling. So my advice would be to 1) apply to semester at sea early 2) apply to as many SAS scholarships you can 3) apply to as many outside scholarships as you can (its better to spend a couple of days working on an scholarship than paying off a loan) 4) talk and work with your school's financial aid office to see how much you can transfer to Semester at Sea 5) work your butt of saving money for the trip so you can have as much fun as you can 6) talk to semester at sea about your situation if things come up to see how you can work to remedy it 7) and lastly, get loans if you have to (these loans are going to be the best investment of your life). Get Transferable Credits This is a huge topic amongst prospective students since they are wanting to make sure their time abroad counts toward their curriculum. In college I studied International Business, Anthropology, Spanish, and General Liberal Arts Courses, and I was able to find equivalents for all my degrees. There are many different disciplines being taught by Semester at Sea, and students from all kinds of majors find ways to relate a course or find substantial coursework that adapts or qualifies for courses being taught back at their home campuses. Aside form financial aid, this is another one of the biggest burdens of the program since some schools are very particular about their courses and are not as friendly about the idea of their students taking core classes abroad. Nonetheless, it can be achieved, one must just apply themselves to make it happen and find substantial evidence with course syllabi, expectations, goals, and negotiations with department chairs, registrars, and faculty. Get The Best All Around Study Abroad Program This program has been around for more than 50 years, and is becoming more and more well known around the world. It has surfaced in our pop culture through such outlets such as Buzzfeed, as well as in movies like 22 Jump Street, and TV Shows like MTV's The Real World. You are never going to regret going on Semester at Sea as it is a program that has so much to offer to you personally and academically. The program takes you to popular destinations as well as destinations you'd never thought of going but are glad you got to witness and experience. Faculty and staff are top notch, lecturers are phenomenal, student life is bar-none, housing and meals are all taken care of for you, and living at sea is something so amazing and beautiful that cannot be easily described. Just imagine a serene sunsetting afternoon outside feeling the breeze while reading a book relating to your next travels in port, all while the whistling waves crash against the ship and at a far distance dolphins chase the MV Explorer (the ship), and you pause to take a deep breath and admire the view while snuggling in your cozy Semester at Sea hoodie and blanket and drinking a delicious hot tea, all while being excited that tomorrow you reach the port of Cape Town, South Africa. This is just one of those everlasting memories that will linger in your mind after undergoing the program. Make A Positive Change In The World Many people come on board with projects to help communities in need around the world, others are looking into aspects of foreign service and global politics, some just came for the free donuts and coffee. But no matter what you do in the program you will be given many opportunities to make a change in the world, and its up to you to take advantage of them. Semester at Sea is a gateway into finding opportunities of getting involved with local communities revolving around the areas the ship visits, as well as other programs for students seeking more of a political aspect, such as visits to the United Nations, local embassy home-stays, or lectures from globally influential individuals inclined toward social or political change. The most important aspect, I believe, is to know about the issues that are being faced by the people of this world, and discuss ways in which to address and solve them. Knowledge is power, and through the lectures, opportunities and exposure given to students on Semester at Sea, it is more likely that as a student you will feel inclined to make a positive change no matter how small that change may be. From my experience, about 70% of students who do Semester at Sea continue to do projects abroad, or continue to travel avidly after the program finding ways to make an impact in the communities they visit. Become More Of A Global Citizen The only way you can be an active global citizen is by traveling and learning about the places you are traveling to. Semester at Sea is the only program that truly allows for the individuals undergoing the program to become global citizens. There are many ways to get involved in the communities you visit even after you have left and your travels there have ended. On board you learn about the issues the countries you are visiting face, and you first handedly experience them. You are exposed to the beauty and sometimes harsh realities of our world, but travel amongst many moved individuals whom wish to make a positive change and actually go on to do so. Live Life To The Fullest! No matter what you do or seek from this program your goal should be to live life to the fullest and try to find a passion you can continue to foment. No matter how lost you are in a port, chances are you'll run into one of the 800 or more Semester at Sea students, staff, or faculty. Safety is a top priority of the program, and students tend to always travel in groups, allowing for support of each other during their stays in ports. You are going to take the program for granted once you are on board, but it will honestly be the one experience you can never seem to describe yet always imagine and wish to relive every day of your life. So just to recap, with this program you will travel the world, live on board a cruise ship, meet amazing individuals, encounter good life-changing moments with others, eat so much amazing food, see breathtaking views, monuments, and natural environments, see a world unlike anything you've ever seen, learn from exciting and interesting professors that care and understand, live a low stress life, hike majestic trails, swim in crystal clear waters, learn so much about different disciplines, be a part of a unique college experience, shop till you drop in ports, enjoy nightlife with others with Semester at Sea, eat healthy, sleep healthy, live healthy, and make the best memories of your life! There is so much to tell you about the program, so please feel free to contact me and I can help answer any of your Semester at Sea questions. Also, if you wish to have a small peek into my travels look up Dance the way I feel - DJ L3opard on Youtube and you will see me dancing around the world with Semester at Sea. You can also email me at [email protected] or call me at 956-212-7848 and i'll assist in the best way that I can! I hope this helped you a bit on your decision and process in studying abroad and I hope you one day also experience what I experienced and continue to help others achieve their dreams and allow for them to witness this world we all share and live in.

Semester at Sea is a unique program that allows you to circumnavigate the globe with thorough cultural experience. Living on a ship for 3 months, visiting 10 cities, and taking classes while at sea could easily become a logistical nightmare, but Semester at Sea has it down. It's a beautiful opportunity to create your own experience. They have planned trips for those who prefer the structure and safety of a group trip, but plenty of students opt to plan their own trips or not plan at all and just go play in a country for 5 days. Semester at Sea does a great job of preparing you for each country so you really can create the experience of a lifetime in each city.

Semester at Sea is without question one of the best experiences I will ever have. I sailed as a sophomore in college and it forever changed my passions and future career path. People criticize the program because you don't get a chance to live in one country, but for me it ignited my passion for travel and I ended up securing an internship abroad the following summer. I know that is not feasible for everyone, but the internship did align with my major at the time, so there are options - please don't let the lack of living in one country deter you from choosing SAS! On top of the amazing experience in countries all around the world, I made lifelong friends that I still keep in touch with 5 years later. Living on a ship and seeing all of the amazing (and sometimes heartbreaking) things that SAS introduces you to bonds you to your classmates in a way that other study abroad programs can't. Since this review is supposed to be about South Africa, I will note that South Africa was one of my favorite countries that I visited while on SAS.

If the living situation were better, I would have had the best experience. They don't try to match up personalities on the ship for roommates - so if you get someone that you simply cannot live with, you're out of luck. The worst though: the food. We were served pasta, potatoes, mystery meat, and iceberg lettuce. No fresh fruit or vegetables. Sometimes we had soup and juice made out of the rotting vegetation. The vegetarians had to start eating meat to survive. The gluten intolerant - well, they had to fend for themselves. This is a great opportunity...just bring your own food!

It was such an awesome experience!

Like most others, semester at sea changed my life. The people I met on the ship I talk to every single day and the people I met while traveling, I usually talk to about once a week! Though, we were only in some places for as little as 8 hours, it was enough time to realize how different the USA is from the world. I love that Semester at Sea allowed me to see countries I would never have thought to go to alone and now my bucket list is endless. Finally, Semester at Sea gave me a new perspective on what I want to do after graduation. Their on ship seminars were so helpful, but the biggest pushes came from the traveling. If anyone wants their view of the world, their future and their perceptions of others turned upside down, then Semester at sea is the program to apply to! Academics: The professors were so knowledgeable and helpful! If you had a question- you didn't need to schedule office hours- you could find them on deck! They also understood that traveling was important- I never felt like I had to worry about homework in port! Living Situation: The rooms are SMALL! But, who cares when the view out the window is the ocean. Everything you need is within a minute walk! Cultural Immersion: Some places I feel like I know how they live and what they do each day and others- I was just a tourist seeing their sights for a few days! Program Administration: ISE is amazing and so helpful! If you ever need anything from them, do NOT hesitate to call or email. On ship- the admin staff changes every semester, but all have usually done it before and are so energetic about all of it!

Semester at Sea was the best semester of my college career. I took 5 classes (15 credits) on the ship and had the opportunity to visit 9 different countries. I wasn't able to become completely immersed in any of the locations, but it did allow me to experience a broad array of cultures and lifestyles. If you want to see the world, make great friends, and have a once in a lifetime experience, then Semester at Sea is the program for you.

For those with a desire to immerse yourself with many different cultures this is for you. Definitely the best semester of college I ever had. Expensive but the experiences are priceless.

Very enriching culturally.

I would recommend it because can go so many places.

Yes, it is expensive, but it is so worth it. I did the Fall 2011 and i miss it so much. Health and Safety: Don't be stupid and you'll be fine

Semester at Sea was absolutely the best experience of my life... It is not a cruise - it's a voyage! With SAS you will be able to travel the world, meet some of your future best friends, make awesome connections with faculty and staff, and change your world view. I cannot say enough great things about SAS and cannot think of a single negative thing to say about it. The only "bad" thing I can think of is that you will fall so in love with SAS that you will do anything to get back on the ship. If you are worried about the price - just apply. SAS gives out a lot of financial aid. I had a work study job on the ship and received another need-based grant.

Semester at Sea was without a doubt the most significant experience of my college career.

There is honestly nothing like Semester at Sea, it changed my outlook on life and allowed me to make a positive impact on the world. I would tell anyone to do Semester at Sea over any other program around the world. DO IT! You will not regret it.

I loved my trip around the world but I was not happy with my class experiences onboard. Mainly due to the fact that one of the professors I signed up for had gotten very ill and could not make the voyage, this would have been understandable if they informed me before I left. But once I boarded the ship, the rearranged my schedule and I was unable to apply the credits to my major.

Best thing that ever happened to me. Worked and played harder than I ever had.

I studied abroad with SAS in the summer of 2006, and it was 65 days traveling around South East Asia. It was an incredible experience and I would recommend it hands down to anybody. It's a cruise ship that was converted into a college campus; there's classrooms, libraries, top notch professors from all over the U.S., students from all over the U.S... it was an incredible experience. It's sponsored by the University of Virginia so your credits are as if you were at the University of Virginia as if you would have studied there for a summer or a semester.

I did SAS 18 year ago. As a 20 year old turning 21 in Capetown South Africa. Now I have worked and done business globally for the last 12 years in the hedge fund industry. I can't stress enough the necessity for anyone (student of otherwise) to get the global perspective and education provided by SAS. It still sits with me today as the most amazing voyage of all time....

First off, all of my negatives are really minor compared to the one big positive - visiting a dozen countries in one semester. What you might lose in terms of immersion in one culture is more than made up by the unique ability to compare all those countries in one go. The problem is semester at sea has a very vocal group of alumni who talk up the program like its made of solid gold, and my expectations were built up way higher than they should have been. You should know before you go: The food sucks. I came back 20 pounds lighter because I was unable to eat much of what's served on the boat after a month or so. You will be a second class passenger. The faculty, staff and life long learners (with a few exceptions) formed into their own unit, and proceeded to take advantage of their positions in ways that left the students with the short end of the stick. Semester at sea blatantly lies about its cabins - the economy cabins are quite a bit worse then described on their site, or to me in person when I did a ship tour before my voyage. I didn't have too much of a problem with living in a crew cabin (after all, the crew does it!) but I felt cheated that they didn't actually tell me what I signed up for. Several students couldn't stand it, and transferred into a more expensive cabin, at a cost of several thousand dollars. You will be groped every time you get back on the ship. In order to keep alcohol and drugs from making their way on board, you will get a TSA style pat-down when you board, and your backpack/bags will get searched and or emptied on a table. For this reason getting back on the ship can take up to 2 hours, if several tours get back at the same time. On the other hand, the stuff you actually do in country is amazing. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, and I'm even a donating alumni now, but that doesn't mean the program is flawless or shouldn't be improved. Academics: My global studies course (which was required) was a huge waste of time. The professor just spouted statistics and buzzwords, without actually teaching anything. The rest of my classes were much better, up to the level of my home institution Living Situation: The ships "economy" cabins are actually crew cabins they put students in. It you choose this class you'll: share a cabin smaller than the regular doubles with 2 or 3 other roommates, have less outlets then occupants, have a lifeboat station on the wrong side of the ship, possibly be in a bunk bed (watch out for high seas!) have less storage space, no seating or desk space, and gloomy decorations. Semester at sea specifically doesn't say these rooms are crew cabins because they know you wont pick them. All the other cabins are actually as described. Cultural Immersion: This is the reason to go on semester at sea. Program Administration: The faculty and staff on the ship (on my voyage) abused their positions. The academic dean refused to take criticism or responsibility over the poor quality of global studies. Everyone has to go through security to get on the ship, but the faculty and staff declared themselves allowed to cut the line (there were a few professors who would stand in line anyway). They were also allowed into each and every port first - the students had to wait up to an hour before we were allowed off the ship. They got first dibs at table selection for the fancy dinner, taking up all the window tables. These are all little things, but it adds up to where all the students were frustrated with being treated like 3rd class passengers on Semester at Sea.

I can't even begin to describe how incredible my experience was! I dream of being back on the ship with a new exciting port at my fingertips. I learned so much about the cultures I visited as well as about myself. LOVED it!.

This was a fantastic experience. A really exciting opportunity to have an overview of whatever area of the world you're traveling. I was on the summer 2004 voyage traveling the Pacific Rim. At that time, SAS was sponsored by University of Pittsburgh and I can say that some of the classes were pretty challenging. However, the academic sponsor has since changed and I'm sure the curriculum has changed as well. I can honestly say that SAS shaped my future. After completing my undergraduate, I left the US and have not been home much since. I found out how to make traveling a way of life. While staying in Busan that summer I met some English teachers and made the decision to move to South Korea. Since then I've lived in Europe and Asia and traveled to nearly every continent. If it hadn't been for this crash course in how exciting the world can be I'd probably be a receptionist is small town Ohio right now!

best experience of my life. changed my outlook and the direction i chose to take my life and career. academics weren't all that rigorous, but that was for the best b/c it gave us the space we needed to really take in the experiences around us and understand the world in a new way.

It is a little pricey, but I have wanted to go again ever since i left the ship. Different experience then just going to one country. Highly recommended.

Semester at Sea is the best experience in my life. Everyday I wish I was back on it.

Excellent trip. Not the most rigorous classes, but the cultural and social experience more than made up for it. Coming from Stanford you are used to much more rigoros standard of testing academics. Overall, I'd recommend it as an experience.

Although this is one of the most expensive programs out there, it is the most worthwhile. Imagine the cost of going on a cruise for a week, then imagine the cost for a semester's worth of tuition/room/board at a good university, and you realize how absolutely affordable and completely worth the money Semester at Sea is. There will never, ever, ever be another opportunity to do something like this while you are young. You might think twice about the money you spent, but you'll think a thousand times about the experiences you had and the memories you made. By far the BEST study abroad program in the world.

Amazing. Very high price. I got to see 10 countries and travel the entire world in 3 months. I got to do a lot more things for the money I spent than at a lot of other study abroad programs

Semester at Sea is the best kept secret in town about study abroad programs. Where else can you get a full semester's worth of academic credit while simultaneously sailing around the world on a cruise ship with 700 other students from around the world? While probably a bit more expensive than other programs, what you get for the $$ is a bargain (room & board, travel around the world, tuition, etc.). I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to travel to more than one place in their semester abroad, and see out of the way places way off the map of most other study abroad programs.