GoAbroad
Semester at Sea ship
Semester at Sea:  Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus logo

Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus

by: Semester at Sea

9.52 (33)Verified

Join Semester at Sea on this global journey and make the world YOUR campus while sailing on our floating university! Come face to face with diverse perspectives and cultures during cultural engagement opportunities with locals from as many as 11 cities worldwide. At the same time, earn academic credits from Colorado State University. Upcoming voyages Spring 2025: Asia, Africa, and Europe Explora...

Read More

Program Highlights

Earn up to 15 Colorado State University credits to count toward your degree.

Travel more than 25,000 nautical miles.

Study on a college that floats!

Participate in homestays, university visits, and service learning programs.

Gain an invaluable global perspective to help step up your career.

Quick Details

Locations
  • Hong Kong, China
  • France
  • Germany
  • Takoradi, Ghana
  • Cochin, India
  • See more
Availability
Year(s) Offered2025, 2026Terms Available:
  • Fall
  • Spring
Age Requirement:Varies
Types & Subjects:
  • Accounting
  • African Studies
  • American Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • See more
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details

Awards

Innovation in Alumni Engagement Finalist 2022

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

9.52

Total Reviews

33

Amazing experience on SAS 133!

by: Molly Anthony - United StatesProgram: Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus
9

I absolutely loved getting to know 400+ students on a ship while traveling across 3 continents. I traveled through Thailand, Malaysia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Portugal, and Germany. Having classes while on the ship and getting to learn about my major in different ports was so interesting.

Life changing

by: Kendra Short - United StatesProgram: Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus
10

I studied abroad on the spring of 2022 voyage. Doing this voyage absolutely changed my life. In the span of 4 months, we traveled to 14 different countries and fully immersed ourselves in their cultures. This experience truly did change my life. I grew so much and got out of my shell. I gained independence but also met the most amazing friends that I still travel with to this day. I recommend this program to anyone thinking about doing it, you will not regret it!

My unexpected experience on Semester at Sea

by: Reece Livingstone - United StatesProgram: Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus
9

Semester at Sea was an exceptional program that pushed me out of my boundaries and showed me the beauty of learning by experience. Not only does the program curate well-accomplished professors from around the world but finds ones who really care about their work and about their students. Not many people can say they have spent the day with their professor eating breakfast on a ship, to then going on a safari in the plains of Kenya, and finishing the day by snorkeling in a marine park to study coastal ecology. This brings up another great aspect of the academics on the ship which is the balance between intensive lecture format study, hands-on education, and field classes in collaboration with organizations and the government of each visited country. Life on the ship is by far the most community-oriented experience I could imagine. It is hard to be alone here. Almost all 600 students will know each other personally by the end of the voyage along with the professors and shipboard staff, making connections to last a lifetime. This voyage allows the exploration of many countries and cultures, along with gaining a greater understanding and respect for the ocean, its connectivity of the world, and the life it holds. You will get closer to nature, cultural diversity, academic success, hundreds of peers, and yourself over the best 4 months of your life. When looking at study abroad options, Semester at Sea was not my first choice. I now cannot imagine my life without it.

Main lecture hallResearch groupMarine ecology research off the coast of Kenya

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Hong Kong, China
  • France
  • Germany
  • Takoradi, Ghana

Types and Subjects

  • Subjects & Courses
  • Accounting
  • African Studies
  • American Studies

Availability

Years Offered: 2025, 2026

Gap Year Timing:
  • During College
  • Post High School

Age Requirement

Age Requirement Varies

Guidelines

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Group

Program Cost Includes

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • Wifi Costs
  • Medical / Accident Insurance

Accommodation Options

  • Dormitory
  • Home-stays
  • Other

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English

    Accepted Education Levels

  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
  • Some college credit, no degree

Application Procedures

  • Transcript
  • Disciplinary Clearance Form
  • Online Application

Interviews

Read interviews from alumni or staff

Meredith Dungar

Participated in 2007

Alumni

Absolutely without a doubt, keep an open mind. Also, eat. It sounds so silly, but when you're traveling around and your blood sugar drops, I don't care who you are or who you're with, it's hard to stay nice.

Show Full Interview

Kelly Webber

Participated in 2004

Alumni

I actually had the opportunity to do two semesters abroad, so I had the best of both worlds! I studied in Heidelberg,Germany for one semester and then did Semester at Sea for my second semester of junior year. This was a great opportunity to experience one culture more in depth (my time in Heidelberg) versus the comparative nature of a multi-country program (Semester at Sea).

Show Full Interview

Dr. Katherine Zagone

Participated in 2007

Alumni

I've always been passionate about different healing techniques. I chose Semester at Sea because I wanted to get a taste of a number of countries so I could explore various cultural healing modalities on one trip. I also wanted to live on a ship, because, well, it's awesome. Semester at Sea allowed me the structure to get the experience and knowledge I craved without planning and paying for multiple trips. 

Show Full Interview

Related Programs

Browse programs you might like