Colorado State University Semester at Sea Program: A Comprehensive Overview
The Semester at Sea program, in partnership with Colorado State University (CSU), offers students a unique opportunity to engage in global comparative education. This shipboard program allows students to travel the world, attend classes, complete fieldwork, and earn academic credit.
Semester at Sea: A Global Journey
Founded in 1963, Semester at Sea has established itself as a leading study abroad program in the United States. The program operates aboard the MV World Odyssey, a floating campus equipped with classrooms, a library, a writing center, a computer lab, and access to online resources. Each voyage typically lasts over 100 days, exploring at least 10 countries and allowing students to earn 12-15 academic credits from Colorado State University.
More than 60,000 alumni from approximately 1,700 different institutions have participated in Semester at Sea and its predecessor programs, traveling to over 60 countries. The program aims to provide students with the global understanding necessary to address the challenges of our interdependent world.
Academic Structure and Curriculum
Colorado State University (CSU) became the academic partner for Semester at Sea on June 1, 2016. As the academic partner, CSU appoints the academic dean, oversees curriculum, and approves course syllabi for the Semester at Sea academic program. CSU combines intellectual classroom pursuits with hands-on experience in the field and laboratory, mirroring the Semester at Sea global comparative experiential learning model.
Semester at Sea offers up to 75 courses across various disciplines of study, reflecting the expertise of the faculty and the itinerary. Students enroll in 10-15 semester credits on Fall and Spring voyages. Each course, except for Global Studies, includes a day-long, in-country Field Class designed to bring course concepts to life through experiential learning.
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Global Engagement Certificate
To address the global challenges of today and tomorrow, innovative problem-solving derived from multiple perspectives and diverse backgrounds is necessary. The 12-credit interdisciplinary Global Engagement Certificate is designed to generate knowledge of global issues, international perspectives, sustainable development, and intercultural skills that can help to distinguish recipients of this certificate as individuals prepared to positively impact our world. A Global Engagement Certificate can complement careers in business, education, government, economics, nonprofit, media, travel, and health.
Faculty and Staff
At the core of the Semester at Sea academic experience is a team of innovative, stimulating educators passionate about international education. Each voyage is unique as leaders, faculty, and administrators from around the world join the communities. These teams are recruited and onboarded to create the ultimate intentional learning community in which Semester at Sea students thrive.
Semester at Sea attracts nationally renowned, award-winning faculty members who hold doctorates or other terminal degrees from accredited universities. These faculty members have international experience and expertise in one or more of the regions visited on a given voyage. They teach in a global context and excel in the field of experiential learning.
Every voyage sails under the leadership of an Executive Dean, Academic Dean, and Dean of Student Life. The Executive Dean is the chief administrator of the voyage, while the Academic Dean oversees faculty and curricula. Semester at Sea voyage staff focuses on developing a dynamic and synergistic relationship between academic instruction and co-curricular learning.
Interport lecturers and students are visiting members of the shipboard community that join a voyage for 1-2 segments between countries. Interport lecturers vary each voyage and can include experts in the upcoming country or region, entrepreneurs, diplomats, authors, and artists. Interport students are typically also enrolled in university and are natives of the country into which the ship is sailing.
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Experiential Learning and Field Programs
Semester at Sea prioritizes in-country exploration and interaction with local communities. In addition to the required Field Classes, Semester at Sea offers optional Field Programs to complement coursework. These programs provide students with opportunities for deeper engagement with the cultures and environments they encounter.
Voyage Destinations
Semester at Sea voyages typically include a diverse range of countries across multiple continents. Here are some examples of destinations and potential field program options:
The Netherlands: With a rich artistic heritage, progressive attitudes, and picturesque countrysides, the Netherlands is a must-see destination in Europe. The nearby city, Amsterdam offers unconventional restaurants, a bike culture, charming canals, and world-class museums that make this city a vibrant and exciting place to explore. Highlights include visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, along with many other museums. You can bike along the canals or explore the waterways via boat.
Portugal: Emerging as one of Europe’s unsung destinations, Portugal is an energetic and vibrant country with a centuries-long history. Semester at Sea ports of call in Portugal include Lisbon and Oporto.
Spain: Spain’s diverse landscape, architecture, art, and cuisine make the country rich in culture and charm. Semester at Sea ports of call in Spain include Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and La Coruna. Field Program options include explorations of the art, culture, and architecture of the two diverse regions.
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Morocco: The Kingdom of Morocco is an immensely rich cultural center point of north-western Africa. The port of Casablanca, established in the 20th century, is a busy metropolis and home to the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest in the world after Mecca. This enormous structure, resting at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, was built by 30,000 workers over a period of five years, officially opening in 1993. Semester at Sea ports of call in Morocco include Casablanca and Tangier. Field Program options include multi-day trips to the Sahara Desert, where students can ride camels to their campsite and sleep under the stars.
Ghana: Ghana is a sub-Saharan beauty bursting with a unique and thriving culture. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy treks through the Accra plains and neighboring reserves. Semester at Sea ports of call in Ghana include Tema and Takoradi. Common Field Programs include visiting the Cape Coast Slave Dungeons for a historical Ghanaian perspective on the 17th-century slave trade, easily accessible from Takoradi.
South Africa: Whether hiking Table Mountain for one of the world’s best views, riding horseback on safari, or engaging with local entrepreneurs in Cape Town, students always fall in love with South Africa. Full of adventure and captivating sights, Cape Town offers countless opportunities for cultural and natural exploration. Semester at Sea ports of call in South Africa include Cape Town. Field Program options include overnight trips to a safari park, seeing lions, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and more.
Mauritius: An island nation in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a tropical paradise and the wealthiest African nation. With a unique blend of cultures, welcoming people, and being known as one of the safest nations in Africa, Mauritius is a popular destination for travelers. The capital city of Port Louis, home to the mountain known as Le Pouce, was first summited by Charles Darwin and is well worth the hike for great panoramic views of the island. Semester at Sea ports of call in Mauritius include Port Louis. Field Program options include ziplining and exploring several of the many beaches this island has to offer.
India: As one of the most populous nations in the world, India is bustling with a vibrant culture influenced by a variety of religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Semester at Sea ports of call in India include Cochin and Mumbai. Field Program options include multi-day trips to Mumbai, the Taj Mahal, New Delhi, and more. Highlights include exploring the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s seven wonders, or traveling to the holy city of Varanasi on the Ganges River.
Vietnam: Vietnam is known for its lush, emerald green mountains, outstanding cuisine, and welcoming citizens. Here you can explore the Cu Chi Tunnels where Viet Cong soldiers lived and fought, travel by boat through the Mekong Delta, sample world-class pho, or bike through small villages. Students often enjoy a three-day trip to Cambodia from Vietnam to interact with an NGO that educates and trains disadvantaged locals in rural areas for employment in the hospitality industry. Semester at Sea ports of call in Vietnam include Ho Chi Minh City. Field Program options include cruising down the Mekong Delta or having a homestay with a local family.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong was governed by Great Britain for decades but retained many traditional Chinese features. Semester at Sea ports of call in Hong Kong include Hong Kong. Highlights include visiting some of the monuments, heritage buildings, and historical sites that help give Hong Kong its unique atmosphere. Explore the famous local markets, including the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Flower Market, and Jade Market. The Man Mo Temple dates back to 1847 and is the oldest temple in the city. Visit Aberdeen, home to hundreds of people living on fishing junks juxtaposed against a modern high-rise community.
Thailand: Thailand has emerged as one of the most visited travel destinations in the world. Travelers flock to this warm destination for the tranquil beaches, delicious cuisine, magnificent temples and scenery, colorful history, and archaeological sites.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Semester at Sea is administered by the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE), a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing a traditional academic experience with a global perspective and greater intercultural understanding. ISE offers a variety of need- and merit-based financial awards. About 60% of Semester at Sea participants receive some type of financial aid.
Colorado State University students are eligible for several financial incentives, including:
- $1,000 ‘Rams at Sea’ scholarship: All CSU students who apply and deposit for a Semester at Sea voyage will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
- Waived application fee: CSU students are exempt from the standard $75 Semester at Sea application fee.
- Reduced deposit: The voyage reservation deposit is reduced to $500 for CSU students, half the usual $1,000 amount.
- Semester at Sea need and merit aid: SAS earmarks $250,000 per year in aid specifically for CSU students.
Students who are not eligible for the CSU/SAS need-based grant will automatically be considered for the CSU/SAS Merit Scholarship. Students cannot receive both the need-based grant and the merit scholarship.
Voyage Community Values
The Voyage Community Values are the bedrock of every Semester at Sea voyage. Together they encapsulate the culture we aim to foster and the organizational vision we aim to achieve: to be an internationally recognized leader in forming global citizens who positively impact our interconnected world.
- We understand our actions and attitudes have an impact locally and globally.
- We honor the inherent dignity of all people with an abiding commitment to freedom of expression, scholarly discourse, and the advancement of knowledge.
- We are honest and ethical in all of our interactions, including our academic work.
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