Semester at Sea: Academic Programs for Global Explorers

Are you captivated by the allure of exploration and yearn to traverse the world's oceans? Semester at Sea offers innovative study abroad programs that take you to multiple countries. Imagine earning college credit while studying on a ship and traveling to breathtaking international destinations. Semester at Sea and other similar programs provide the opportunity to study aboard a vessel as it cruises to ports around the world, from Europe and the Mediterranean to the Baltic region and Asia.

Experiential Learning on the High Seas

Unlike traditional study abroad programs that focus on immersion in a single country, Semester at Sea adopts a comparative educational model. Instead of experiencing just one country, students experience many, gaining new perspectives and knowledge with each destination.

Many study at sea programs incorporate adventure-focused elements. Some programs offer the chance to sail through the world on a cruise ship, while others allow students to sail a sail ship and learn the ropes.

Academic Rigor and Requirements

Studying on a ship while earning college credit typically involves specific requirements:

Academic standing: Programs often require students to be actively enrolled in a university with a minimum GPA.
Background check: A background check may be required.
Language requirements: While most 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 must hold a valid passport and may need visas for certain countries on the itinerary.

How to Embark on Your Sea Semester

Here are key steps to consider when planning your Semester at Sea journey:

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Selecting the right time and itinerary: Semester at Sea offers programs during spring, summer, and fall, each with a unique route.
Exploring program options: While Semester at Sea programs are a popular choice, other options may better suit your academic needs.
Verifying requirements: Confirm that you meet the academic, health, and personal requirements. Contact your school's program coordinator if you have questions and to confirm the necessary documentation.
Submitting your application: Applications are often submitted online and may include transcripts, recommendation letters, and a personal statement.
Calculating expenses: Studying abroad on a ship has unique expenses, including program fees, travel insurance, vaccinations, and personal spending for each port city. Explore potential scholarship opportunities.
Navigating visa requirements: International shipboard programs often visit multiple countries, each with its visa requirements. Research whether a visa is needed for each stop on the itinerary.
Arranging flight logistics: Flight logistics are often up to you, though some programs may offer advice on arrival and departure. Book flights that coincide with your program’s departure and return dates, often from major ports.
Packing essentials: Gather necessities for life aboard, from study supplies to travel essentials. Many programs provide packing lists that account for varied climates and ship regulations.

Semester at Sea Program Overview

Semester at Sea (SaS) was founded in 1963 and is managed by the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) in Fort Collins, Colorado. Colorado State University is the program's academic sponsor, and the program is conducted on a cruise ship. During the spring and fall semesters, up to 600 undergraduates participate in the 100- to 110-day program.

Past Itineraries and Voyages

The program itinerary differs each semester, and the ship typically docks at 10 or 11 ports.

An early-1990s spring itinerary included Nassau, Caracas, Salvador (Brazil), Cape Town, Mombasa, Chennai, Singapore, Shanghai, Osaka, and Hong Kong.
More recent voyages have explored Hawaii, Japan, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, and the Netherlands.
The fall 2019 itinerary included the Netherlands, Poland, the Kiel Canal, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Morocco, Ghana, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, the Panama Canal, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.
The Summer of 2012 voyage aboard the MV Explorer included Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, and Portugal.

Academic Structure and Coursework

Students attend classes in a number of subjects and disciplines, including humanities courses relevant to the countries on the itinerary, while the ship is at sea. All students are required to take an interdisciplinary, core global-studies course. Although Colorado State University is the program's academic sponsor, Semester at Sea is open to students from any university. No classes are taught in port, and students can take Semester at Sea-sponsored trips or travel independently in the port country. Before arriving at a port, they are briefed on the culture and societal rules of the country they are visiting. At the port of call, guest speakers (including community leaders and American ambassadors) deliver lectures to the students and faculty.

Semester at Sea offers three-credit courses across a wide range of disciplines. Course syllabi reflect the expertise of the faculty members and the voyage itinerary. Many of the Semester at Sea courses listed below are offered on every voyage. Typically, one-third of the courses are lower-division and two-thirds are upper-division. You may apply to participate in a learning cohort as part of your Semester at Sea experience. Semester at Sea currently offers two cohorts: 1) Social impact (the Chapman Impact Cohort); and 2) the Engineering Cohort.

Faculty and Staff

At the core of the Semester at Sea academic experience is a team of innovative, stimulating educators who are passionate about international education. Voyages include faculty who are internationally recognized experts in varied fields of study. Faculty are selected for their accomplishments in the field, teaching skills, and ability to connect with students. The shipboard 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.

Facilities

The Semester at Sea floating campus has been retrofitted to include the educational resources of a land-based institution, including state-of-the-art classrooms, a library, a writing center, access to online resources, and a computer lab.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning, exploration, and discovery are at the heart of the Semester at Sea experience. Each Semester at Sea course (with the exception of Global Studies) has one required, uniquely designed, day-long Field Class that takes place in one of the countries during the voyage. These Field Classes are developed by the professors to apply concepts from their course to real-life situations through meetings and activities with local experts and organizations. On these all-inclusive programs, students spend one day in the field with their professor and classmates, experiencing their course content in action and coming to life. Field Programs are co-curricular in-country experiences built on strong relationships with local partners.

Academic Partnership with Colorado State University

On June 1, 2016, Colorado State University (CSU) became the academic partner for Semester at Sea. Founded in 1870 as a land-grant institution, CSU combines intellectual classroom pursuits with hands-on experience in the field and laboratory - similar in approach to the Semester at Sea global comparative experiential learning model. As the recipient of the 2013 Senator Paul Simon National Award for Outstanding Campus Internationalization, its significant role in the founding of the Peace Corps, and its emphasis on the importance of diversity and global education, CSU is an ideal partner for the SAS program.

Approximately two years prior to launching each voyage, a distinguished faculty member is selected to serve as Academic Dean. Academic Deans review faculty applications, interview selected candidates, and discuss specific courses to be included in the curriculum. Semester at Sea students enroll in 10-15 semester credits on Fall and Spring voyages.

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Other Study at Sea Programs

Sea|mester: Combines hands-on marine science courses with practical seamanship and leadership skills.
SEA Semester: Offers a blend of oceanographic research and sailing experience, teaching students about marine ecosystems and environmental stewardship.
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.

Challenges and Contingencies

Like any international program, Semester at Sea has faced challenges, including itinerary changes due to political instability, health concerns, and natural disasters. The program has demonstrated adaptability in rerouting voyages and prioritizing student safety.

1997's fall voyage was rerouted due to terrorism concerns, with the State Department issuing a travel warning for American citizens in the Middle East.
The spring 2020 voyage avoided a number of countries (including China) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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