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Semester at Sea

9.46 (58)Verified12 Programs

Why choose Semester at Sea?

Founded in 1963, Semester at Sea is the leading shipboard program for study abroad in the United States. We offer more than a hundred day voyages every spring and fall. Our program participants travel aboard the MV World Odyssey, attend classes in a closely knit environment with an international faculty, complete fieldwork and travel while in port, and earn up to 15 transferable academic credit th...

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Semester at Sea Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

9.46

Total Reviews

58
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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

Semester at Sea Programs

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A woman holding a sign that says "Semester at Sea".
9.5233 reviews
Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus

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 diver...

Semester at Sea - Spain
95 reviews
Semester at Sea Study Abroad Spain

Explore Spain and other European and Asian countries during a voyage that gives participants a truly global study-abroad experience on our floati...

Semester at Sea - Ghana
8.85 reviews
Semester at Sea Study Abroad Ghana

Join Semester at Sea as we go on a global journey, sailing on our floating university and making the world YOUR campus. Experience the diversity ...

Semester at Sea - South Africa
9.85 reviews
Semester at Sea Study Abroad South Africa

Come face-to-face with diverse cultures and perspectives while sailing on our floating university! Semester at Sea brings together students from ...

Semester at Sea - India
9.65 reviews
Semester at Sea Study Abroad India

Join Semester at Sea and sail on our floating university! Make the world YOUR campus on this global journey that brings you face-to-face with div...

Semester at Sea - VietNam
9.25 reviews
Semester at Sea Study Abroad Vietnam

Make the world YOUR campus and set sail on our floating university! Semester at Sea is a global journey that brings students face-to-face with th...

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.

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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).

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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. 

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Awards

Check out awards and recognitions Semester at Sea has received

Innovation in Alumni Engagement Finalist 2022