My sophomore year of college I decided to study abroad with my twin sister through a program called Semester at Sea. It is a comparative educational trip that takes students, professors, and staff around the world in about 4 months. Students come from all over the country, and the world, and sign up to take classes every day while on the ship (including weekends). Then, when the ship docks in a port, voyagers elect to take different trips- anything from overnight trips visiting historical landmarks to a homestay with a family. While on the ship, there are educational programs tied to each specific country, led by natives, to ensure that everyone has a basic understanding of that country before visiting. There are student organizations, service initiatives, and an incredible opportunity to get to know and learn from hundreds of people you might not otherwise get the chance to meet. It is truly an amazing and life-changing program, and I learned so much about myself and the world in those 110 days! 

 

Here is the itinerary of our voyage:

• Nassau, Bahamas

• Cadiz, Spain

• Casablanca, Morocco

• Walvis Bay, Namibia

• Cape Town, South Africa

• Port Louis, Mauritius

• Chennai, India

• Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand

• Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

• Hong Kong/Shanghai, China

• Kobe/Yokohama, Japan

• Honolulu, Hawaii

• Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala (Antigua, Guatemala City)

• Transiting of Panama Canal

• Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 

 

Because I cannot possibly put my entire voyage into words here, I invite you to visit the blog that my sister and I kept while on the trip. You can find it here.