High School Semester at Sea Programs: A Global Education on the Waves

For high school students seeking an extraordinary educational experience, a semester at sea offers a unique opportunity to earn college credit while exploring the world. These programs combine academic rigor with global travel, fostering personal growth and a broader understanding of international cultures. Semester at Sea and similar programs provide unforgettable experiences that enhance college applications and set students apart from their peers.

What is a High School Semester at Sea Program?

High school semester at sea programs, like Semester at Sea and SEA Semester, provide students the chance to study aboard a vessel as it cruises to multiple ports around the world. Students earn college credits while engaging with world-class faculty in an intensive live-learn environment. The Semester at Sea community is made up of curious and open individuals, excited to explore the world.

Instead of experiencing just one country, participants experience many, anywhere from 2 to 11 countries. With each new country, students have new experiences, new things to learn, new foods to try, and new ways of looking at the world.

Semester at Sea: A Deep Dive

Semester at Sea’s mission is to provide “journeys of discovery that spark bold solutions to global challenges.” It is a multiple country study abroad program open to students of all majors, emphasizing comparative academic examination, hands-on field experiences, and meaningful engagement in the global community. A wide variety of coursework from 20-25 disciplines is integrated with relevant field studies in up to a dozen countries, allowing for a comparative study abroad experience that is truly global. The University of Virginia is the program's academic sponsor, and students from 250-300 colleges in the United States and the world participate each term.

Program Structure and Academics

As a Gap Year student on Semester at Sea, students earn up to 12 college credits while sailing the ocean and visiting multiple countries. Semester at Sea offers a broad range of courses across many disciplines on each voyage, including Anthropology, Business, Economics, English, Film, Natural Sciences, Sociology, Women’s Studies, and World Literature.

All students on the ship enroll in the Global Studies course (IE 200 Global Studies). In addition to the Global Studies course, students also take 1 or 2 additional 3-credit college courses offered at the 100 or 200 level. Every Semester at Sea class, excluding Global Studies, includes an 8-hour experiential Field Class in one of the ports along the voyage.

Gap Year/Start at Sea Program

Gap Year/Start at Sea students are those who have graduated secondary school within one year of their desired voyage and intend to enroll in a college or university afterward. Semester at Sea’s New Student Seminar (IU 172C New Student Seminar) has been exclusively for Start at Sea students. It helps build a network among peers and setting the stage for academic and community success. The New Student Seminar meets for 80 minutes every other day for the full voyage, like all other standard courses do. One of the voyage Resident Directors provides specialized ongoing assistance and engagement opportunities for Start at Sea students throughout the voyage. On Semester at Sea voyages, gap year students are fully integrated with the shipboard community with additional support that students can choose to utilize. A designated resident director will provide support for gap students throughout the voyage. This RD will set up an initial meeting to give gap students the opportunity to connect with their peers, ask questions, and explore common interests.

Eligibility and Application

Semester at Sea requires students to upload a copy of their official academic transcript from their current or most recent high school. A preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 out 4.0 is desired. Semester at Sea operates on a rolling admissions basis, meaning there are no application deadlines for specific semesters. However, it is recommended that students begin the application process 12 months before the semester in which they would like to participate. Once the Office of Admission has received a completed application, students will receive a reply in about 7-10 business days. Applications can be transferred to a different voyage without reapplying.

Voyage Experience and Destinations

One of the most exciting aspects of Semester at Sea is its global itinerary. With ports of call in multiple countries across different continents, students have the chance to immerse themselves in a wide range of cultures, landscapes, and experiences.

Exploring countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe, this voyage gives participants a truly global study abroad experience on a floating campus. With guided Field Programs and plenty of opportunities for in-country travel on their own or with fellow SAS voyagers, students explore their interests and deepen their understanding of the world.

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Example destinations include:

Thailand: Known for tranquil beaches, cuisine, temples, scenery, history, and archaeological sites.
Vietnam: Features lush mountains, cuisine, and welcoming citizens. Ports of call include Ho Chi Minh City with Field Program options including cruising down the Mekong Delta or having a homestay with a local family.
Malaysia: Offers thriving cities, colonial architecture, beaches, and jungles. Semester at Sea ports of call in Malaysia include Penang with Field Program options including visiting Kuala Lumpur and taking Malaysian cooking classes.
India: Bustling with a vibrant culture influenced by a variety of religions. Semester at Sea ports of call in India include Cochin and Mumbai with Field Program options including multi-day trips to Mumbai, the Taj Mahal, New Delhi, and more.
Kenya: Home to diverse wildlife populations. Semester at Sea ports of call in Kenya include Mombasa. Highlights include visiting the grassy plains of Amboseli National Park where elephants are silhouetted against Mount Kilimanjaro.
South Africa: Offers adventure and sights, with opportunities for cultural and natural exploration. Semester at Sea ports of call in South Africa include Cape Town with Field Program options including overnight trips to a safari park.
Ghana: A sub-Saharan beauty with a unique and thriving culture. Semester at Sea ports of call in Ghana include Tema and Takoradi. Common Field Programs include visiting the Cape Coast Slave Dungeons.
Morocco: An immensely rich cultural center point of north-western Africa. Semester at Sea ports of call in Morocco include Casablanca and Tangier with Field Program options including multi-day trips to the Sahara Desert.
Spain: Rich in culture and charm. Semester at Sea ports of call in Spain include Barcelona, Valencia, and La Coruna with Field Program options including explorations of the art, culture, and architecture of the two diverse regions.
Germany: Combines old-world charm and modern urban cities. Semester at Sea ports of call in Germany include Bremerhaven.

Field Programs

One option for country exploration is to participate in Field Programs designed by and offered through Semester at Sea. Examples of Field Programs include half or full day port city orientations, multi-day explorations of a country, and immersive programs designed to create opportunities for voyagers to meaningfully connect to local people and places.

Student Life and Support

In addition to academics and travel, Semester at Sea offers a vibrant student life. There are over 75 student-led organizations that form on each voyage that students can join (or lead!), which cover a range of interests such as photography, spirituality, theater, intramural sports, and social justice.

Passport and Visa Requirements

Students need a passport that is valid for six months beyond the end of the voyage. Purchasing the largest passport book available is advised. Visa requirements vary depending on the countries included on the itinerary. Typically, students will need to secure two or three visas individually.

Other Semester at Sea-like Programs

While Semester at Sea is a popular choice, several other programs offer similar experiences:

SEA Semester: Offers a blend of oceanographic research and sailing experience, teaching students about marine ecosystems and environmental stewardship. Situated in the renowned oceanographic research hub of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, SEA has been at the forefront of marine and maritime education since 1971, educating over 10,000 college, gap year, and high school students. Through SEA's interdisciplinary curriculum, students explore their passion for the ocean by experiencing cultural connections to the sea and engaging in scientific inquiry. SEA offers ocean-focused academic programs for undergraduate, high school, and gap year students.
Class Afloat: Another program that allows students to study aboard a vessel as it cruises to multiple ports around the world.
Sea|mester: Combines hands-on marine science courses with practical seamanship and leadership skills.
Students on Ice: Offers educational expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, focusing on environmental science and cultural studies.
SEA Education Association's Gap Year programs: Combines classroom learning with hands-on research and sailing aboard a traditional sailing vessel.
ActionQuest: Offers summer programs that combine sailing, scuba diving, and marine biology for teenagers.
Broadreach: Provides educational adventures that include sailing, scuba diving, and marine science.
CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs: Deliver high school classes and a once-in-a-lifetime experience that sets students apart from their peers. CIEE programs focus on cultural immersion in various countries, promoting personal growth and helping students develop essential 21st-century skills like world languages and cultural awareness.

CIEE High School Semester Abroad Programs

CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs allow students to get the leading edge on college admissions and have an international adventure. CIEE programs offer invaluable experiences that enhance academic careers and attract the attention of college admissions officers. By focusing on cultural immersion in various countries, CIEE programs not only promote personal growth but also help students develop essential 21st-century skills like world languages and cultural awareness.

Program Options

CIEE Immersion In Programs: Students spend a high school semester abroad living with a host family, enrolled in a local high school, experiencing deep immersion in a foreign language and local culture.
CIEE Semester In Programs: Students spend a high school semester abroad on a program modeled after a college study abroad experience, living with a host family or in a dorm, and enrolling in a cohort of high school peers at one of CIEE’s international locations.

Key Features of CIEE Programs

Cultural Immersion: Students make lifelong friendships and become part of the surrounding community as they improve their foreign language skills and develop a sense of independence and confidence.
Global Exposure: Over four months, students study abroad in two international cities, improve their intercultural and foreign language skills, make lifelong friends, and develop a sense of independence and confidence.
Competitive Advantage: Just 2% of American high school students study abroad, and even fewer spend a full semester abroad, making CIEE programs a significant differentiator for college applications.
Support and Safety: CIEE provides students with 24/7 support from local CIEE staff. All CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs include placement with a carefully-screened host family except for Monteverde, where students will live in dorm-style housing on the CIEE Monteverde campus.

Credit Transfer

High schools are generally supportive and able to outline the process for how credit transfer works and what documentation students will need to request while abroad. If credit transfer is the priority, CIEE's Semester In programs are the ideal choice.

Preparation

Prior to departure, CIEE provides high school semester abroad students a packing list tailored to their program destination.

Financial Aid

Merit-based awards and scholarships based on both merit and financial need are available. Need-based applications require a short essay, academic transcript, and proof of household income (such as a 1040 tax form). Also, with the Priority Deadline Discount, students who apply early to their program receive a discount.

Additional Programs

The Island School Semester: A single-semester 100-day Fall or Spring program designed for high school sophomores and juniors. All disciplines emphasize connection to place by making students active participants in the learning process. The curriculum is interdisciplinary, meaning that there are no clear lines that divide or separate classes from one another. Semester students complete a course of study in seven classes, including Applied Mathematics, Applied Scientific Research, Histories of the Bahamas, Island School Seminar, Land and Environmental Art, Literature and Writing, and Marine Ecology.

Study Abroad Cruise Programs vs. Traditional Programs

Most study abroad programs involve living in one country for a number of weeks, months, or even a year. However, study abroad cruise programs follow less of an immersive educational model, and more of a comparative educational model. Students get to study abroad on the ocean! Instead of experiencing just one country, they’ll experience many (anywhere from 2 to 11 countries). With each new country, students have new experiences, new things to learn, new foods to try, and new ways of looking at the world.

Many study at sea programs are also adventure-focused. On many programs, students have the chance to sail through the world on a cruise ship, but other programs allow students the chance to actually sail a sail ship around the world and learn the ropes (literally).

Requirements for Studying on a Ship

Studying on a ship to earn college credit typically has specific requirements:

Academic standing: Many programs require students to be actively enrolled in a university, often with a minimum GPA (generally 2.5 or higher).
Background check.
Language requirements: While most shipboard programs are in English, some destinations may have local language requirements or offer language immersion opportunities.
Health and vaccination requirements: Health clearances are generally required, and specific vaccinations may be mandatory in some countries.
Passport and visa: Students should hold a valid passport and may need visas for certain countries on the itinerary.

How to Prepare for a Semester at Sea

Selecting the right time and itinerary is key: Semester at Sea, for example, offers programs during spring, summer, and fall, each with a unique route that visits different countries.
Semester at Sea programs are among the top choices, but there are still other options to consider based on your academic needs.
Verify you meet the academic, health, and personal requirements: Contact the program coordinator of your school directly if you have questions, and confirm the documentation needed.
Applications are often submitted online and may involve transcripts, recommendation letters, and a personal statement explaining why you want to study on a ship.
Studying abroad on a ship has unique expenses, so calculate program fees, travel insurance, vaccinations, and personal spending for each port city: Some programs may offer scholarships.
International shipboard programs often visit multiple countries, each with its visa requirements: Research whether a visa is needed for each stop on the itinerary.
Flight logistics are often up to you, though some programs offer advice on arrival and departure: Make sure to book flights that coincide with your program’s departure and return dates, often from major ports.
Gather your necessities for a life aboard, from study supplies to travel essentials: Many programs provide packing lists that account for varied climates and ship regulations.

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