What Semester at Sea is: Semester at Sea is the name for a school semester spent onboard a ship. Classes, field study and onshore tours all combine for college credit. Regular classes are offered; students are sometimes enrolled in a new college for the duration of their semester at sea.
How to sign up for a semester at sea: See your college advisor or guidance counselor to ensure you'll receive college credit for semester at sea. Your advisor will hook you up with the program. If your college is not affliated with a semester at sea program, you'll need to do your own research and ask your advisor if you can get credit for the program.
How you can research a semester at sea: Check out these companies offering semester at sea programs:
Semester at sea accreditation: Most high schools and colleges accept semester at sea accreditation; check with your school to be sure prior to enrollement (remember that your first stop for a semester at sea experience should always be your advisor or counselor's office).
Most semester at sea courses offer 15-20 academic credits.
How much a semester at sea costs: Expect to spend up to $20000 for a semester. Costs will vary between programs, of course.
Fall or spring semester with SemesterAtSea costs:
- Inside double (2 berths without porthole) $15,775 -- includes accommodation, food and tuition
Spending money, transportation to the ship's embarkation point and incidentals, like personal insurance or textbooks, are usually not included inthe cost of a semester at sea. Imagine that you're staying in a floating dorm with a cafeteria pass: all else is extra.
How you can pay for a semester at sea program: Your school may offer semester at sea financial aid, but it's more likely that you'll have to apply for traditional college financial aid. Your advisor will point you to your school's financial aid office. Individual programs usually offer some financial aid or research assistance:
Academics during semester at sea: You will study areas related to your travel; you may study African Literature before docking in Mobabsa, for example. Typical offerings are business courses, like global economy, anthropology, and political science classes. Course offerings are varied: SemesterAtSea offers a Theatre Arts class, for instance, and productions entertain students during the voyage.
Perhaps you'll choose to tie foreign language study to your semester at sea, practicing in port, or biology, with inland field trips.
Where you'll travel during a semester at sea: You'll spend a great deal of your time on the ship, docking at ports of call for up to several days. Your itinerary is the same as all other students aboard. A typical spring itinerary from SemesterAtSea:
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Havana, Cuba
- Salvador, Brazil
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Mombasa, Kenya
- Chennai, India
- Singapore
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Hong Kong, PRC
- Shanghai, PRC
- Osaka, Japan
- Seattle, Washington
Semester at sea trip duration: A semester at sea is typically bracketed by a normal semester. SemesterAtSea's fall semester, for instance, runs from September through part of December. Depending on your college's reqwuirements, you may be able to hop on the ship for the semester without visiting your campus to complete that semester's registration first.
Semester at sea FAQ:
Q. What is the ship like?
A. Modern, comfortable and large. Boats are, by nature, cramped -- expect to have to adjust to a small cabin. You'll have a single berth, or bed.
Q. Will I have a roommate?
A. Yes. You will be glad you have a roomate -- a great chance to get to know someone well. Keep your stuff tidy; it's a small cabin.
Q. How should I pack?
A. Lightly. Overpacking is a big mistake; laundry is available, and you need no more than three clothes changes. You'll get a suggested packing list from the program coordinator after registration. You'll also receive a list of neccesary school supplies, like atlases or a compass -- factor that extra bulk in when packing.
Q. Will I need a passport?
A. Yes. Apply for a passport here.
Q. Will I be safe?
A. Any travel includes risk. Study up on a student travel safety overview, and you'll be as prepared as possible. Listen to your leaders and teachers-- they'll help you learn about country customs. Don't do things that are against the law at home, like taking drugs -- it's probably against the law where you're going. Do exactly as you're told onboard, and you'll be fine at sea. The ships meet maritime safety standards.
Q. How will I communicate with my parents and friends?
A. Email is usually available onboard, though pricey, and can probably be found onshore. However, consider spending your onshore time away from computers entirely. Consider leaving your cell phone, which is roaming expensively, off while onboard, too. You can receive snail mail care of the ship; you'll learn more after registration.
Q. When should I apply?
A. Apply at least one year in advance. Programs will accept you with less notice, but the ships fill up fast. And you'll need some travel planning time, anyway.
Enjoy
You'll never forget a semester at sea -- the experience is unparalleled. Relax and enjoy -- learning was never this much this fun.
