A Bittersweet Farewell

Two and a half months, nine countries, four continents. There was much to see and experience this summer and it passed at a dizzying speed.

Tomorrow morning—in less than 24 hours—Semester at Sea’s 99th voyage, Summer 2009, will come to a close. This has been a summer well spent for all aboard the MV Explorer—students, staff, faculty, lifelong learners and family members. Students challenged themselves and reached well beyond their comfort zones as they explored different foods and people and cultures in these many countries.

Tomorrow’s parting will be bittersweet as students leave a unique community that has formed aboard the MV Explorer. The students have gained a special perspective on the world and their place in it. Some have changed in subtle ways and other students have changed in very noticeable ways, having been deeply affected by their experiences abroad.

They will arrive in Norfolk tomorrow morning with a new direction and new impressions of themselves, with new friends and a wanderlust to explore more of the world, and with a palette expanded by the tastes of Greece, Egypt and Morocco. Below are the final reflections from students, staff, faculty and the voyage’s deans on their time as part of Semester at Sea.

Claire Hunter, Wesleyan University
This experience has enabled me to know that I can work anywhere in the world, comfortably. I never expected that I would need to know that I could feel that way. …I’ve discovered in our travels to these different countries that families are so close and that’s been important, especially in traveling to so many places with my parents. (Claire’s mother, Carol, was librarian on summer voyage.) It’s been really interesting to see all these places with my parents because we can talk about it and have had the rare opportunity to share experiences with one another. Very few people get the opportunity to do that—even want to do it—but it is something that we’ll have forever. And they helped me see things very differently sometimes, in ways that made me think more about where we were. That was helpful for me.

Maia Kobabe, Dominican University
For me this whole trip was really like gathering raw information at such a fast pace. So, by the end of next summer I think will really start to process experience this well and, hopefully, be able to turn what I’ve seen and learned into pieces of art, writing and poems. This summer has certainly helped me grow as an artist in so many ways. I’ve had the chance to sit and sketch some amazing monuments and to view are beyond drawing. It’s been a real growing experience.

Ronalie Dealwis, Seattle University
More than ever I learned on this trip that you can communicate in a million ways if you really want to. Plus, I’ve been much more outgoing and far less afraid of going up and talking to people. The most memorable experience for me was spending time at the home of a Bulgarian friend from my mother’s in Varna. I had only met this woman once, but went to her home, stayed the night, ate traditional Bulgarian food, and struggled to communicate, but we did it. That’s something I never would have done before coming here. I just feel like, because of this entire experience, I’ve become more confident, more aware of the many issues around the world and a better world citizen.

I also came on this voyage very focused on what I wanted to do with my future, but after meeting so many people and making so many connections I started thinking differently and more about what I could do to improve this world and to help people. Now, getting a White House internship is my new goal and Congresswoman [Loretta] Sanchez was a big part of making me think seriously about that.

Dustin Farivar, Univ. of Colorado-Boulder
One of the things that keeps coming to me about Semester at Sea is that the best memories really are free. The times I’ve spent with the new friends I’ve made, traveling to and from destinations, reflecting on the experiences we’ve had are the times I’m going to remember the most. Sitting at dinner for six hours in Sevilla and eating and talking—those are the times I’m going to remember the most and that’s connecting with people.

Kyla Bryant, Norfolk State University
Being on the ship you make such close friendships. I remember staying up for Spain, which was just Day 7 and I felt like these people were my family who’ve I’ve been with for months. I feel like when I leave here I’ll have plenty of friends who I know I’ll be traveling to see, I have a reason to travel so I feel like it’s been a great experience and I’m so happy to have had it.

Rudy Shaffer, Portland State University
It’s been so comforting to travel with all of these people because we’ve come from all over and I came knowing no one and I leave having so many more friends, so many more connections. It’s such a unique experience to return to the ship and hang out with your friends and just share what you’ve done and how your outlooks have changed. And then to be part of a community with young kids and an older generation and you’re all seeing the same thing in a country, but experiencing it in such different ways. You gain a great appreciation for different points of view and seeing something in a whole new way. It’s just been unforgettable. I’m so sad that it’s going to be over. I really, really am.

Beth Knoreck, Univ. of Colorado-Boulder
Being a part of Semester at Sea … I felt like I had a responsibility to not only enjoy my travel experience, but to learn from it. So, I would take every experience and try to relate it back to my classes. I definitely think I gained more going through Semester at Sea; it was a different way of traveling.

Dan Polulak, Florida Gulf Coast University
One thing my parents made me do was to sign up for a service trip so I went on the orphanage tour in Bulgaria. And it was one of the moments I’ll never forget on this trip. We spent three hours at an orphanage in Varna and played with these kids who probably hadn’t ever talked to Americans. It was just a really good experience because it made me think about how I should appreciate the things I have because these kids have nothing and they were so amused with just seeing us. It was a lot of fun and I felt good doing it.

Erin Beaulieu, Univ. of Virginia
My academics have done nothing but help my travels on this trip. My social work class taught me to not just walk into a country, see places, take pictures as proof that I was there and leave. I was able to talk to the people and learn about their child welfare system. I mean, who learns about that stuff when they go into those countries? I would have never even thought to ask those questions or cared if I was just traveling around on my own. …My cross-cultural psychology class taught me that a culture that isn’t westernized is beautiful. When we go into a country or culture that is not like your own it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. You should learn about it—see their customs, why they do them, the history of them. It just makes your experience in the culture so much different than if you didn’t ask or didn’t care. So I think that without these classes I wouldn’t have had the experiences that I had.

Josh Hernandez, Seattle Central Comm. College, (transferring in Fall to MIT)
I know it sounds weird for a physics major to be on a voyage with a theme of human rights and social justice, but there are two reasons. First of all, scientific work has become so globalized that it’s an essential skill for a scientist to be able to work with people of different cultures and backgrounds and to be able to readily adapt to a new situation both in their career and their scientific research. So I figured the best way to learn that would be to go on this program. And also, I think that science and the humanities are very interlinked, you have starvation, population, pollution problems, all of which require serious engineering and scientific research in order to be solved, so it just made sense. And I’m glad I did come on for those reasons and most importantly because I had the opportunity to see some wonderful countries, experience their cultures, and make friends along the way.

Casey Hudetz, SAS Staff, IT Coordinator
From port to port students became more comfortable exploring each place. In Spain, they were so nervous about the language barrier or the money or the food and what to do. By the end it was kind of old hat, but in a way that showed they had developed as travelers and as people in how they related to other cultures. They took more chances with the culture, the food and travel suggestions they received, which was great. …By the end they were more comfortable taking the chances to see a more authentic view of the country. That was a cool change.

Rocky Rohwedder, SAS Faculty, Prof., Sonoma State University
When you go on a voyage like this you can’t help but be changed in some profound way. …The curriculum isn’t just in the classroom. It’s also in the places that we visit. When you can see the world in a different way then you can learn so much from it. Every landscape has a lesson to teach you. …So I just encourage my students to look around and realize that there are so many things to learn if they have the eyes to see. They have to open themselves up to what’s there. They have to treat the place around them as a curriculum and something that can teach them. If you realize that everywhere you are has a lesson to teach you then your life can be so much fuller. So, the pedagogy of place is something I think is an important part of Semester at Sea.

Sadika Sulaiman, SAS Staff, Living Learning Coordinator (LLC)
One student in particular who stood out for me on this voyage in terms of the change I’ve seen in students. At the very beginning of the voyage she talked about being very affirmed in where she was from and that she wasn’t going to change on this journey and didn’t feel like going to these different countries was going to have a real impact on her. Now, after visiting eight countries, she said “I still feel so affirmed in where I’m from and I feel a lot more strength in my hometown, but what I’ve seen and experienced is never going to leave me and I feel so much open and aware of my surroundings and the world.” For me, to hear her verbalize that was really powerful.

Matthew Pollinger, Ithaca College
One of the true highlights for me was in Italy and learning about olive oil. I always thought that it was one of those commonplace products, however, I quickly learned I was wrong. Producing olive oil is a complicated science that requires intricate scientific knowledge, as well as strong family devotion.

Nexus Cook, Temple University
My most beautiful memory of Greece is meeting a 76-year-old woman in Ancient Corinth. She was the sweetest woman I have ever met and she confirmed the fact that the world is full of great people.

Elissa Greene, UC Davis
Taking an hour to walk through eight cars of a train—back to front—on our way to Marrakesh, immersed me in the culture and gave me an experience I will never forget.

Molly Babbington, Chapman Univ.
My first lunch in Rome was by far the most enjoyable experience I had in Italy. We ate at a small restaurant on the corner across from our hotel and were greeted by an older Italian man who seemed to be the owner. He immediately made us feel at home with his eagerness to get to know us. We walked by the restaurant the next day and he recognized us and invited us in for free espresso. It was wonderful to be so welcomed, even as foreigners.

Mike Zoll, Executive Dean, Summer Voyage 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the real interest in learning among our students on this voyage in multiple and non-traditional mediums. A compelling example of this was the student participation in our Explorer Seminars, a line-up of non-credit lectures, discussions, and workshops scheduled each evening at sea. These seminars routinely filled to capacity, with some drawing up to 250 participants--a remarkable testament to the curiosity of our students. I hope they continue to be curious and explore and be open to learning about different people and places in their lives. …In addition, beyond the richness of comparative cultural immersion in eight ports of call, I hope students remember the unique shipboard living-learning environment that has been their summer home.

Shane Rasnak, Cornell Univ. (excerpted from his blog “Shane at Sea”. Click on the title to read entire blog)
…I wanted to wrap up this blog and say that my decision to go on Semester at Sea was quite possibly the single best decision I’ve ever made in my life. It’s been the most exciting, fun and eye-opening summer I’ve ever had, and I’m sure the things I learned and experienced in this voyage will influence what I do for the rest of my life. I’ve made friends all around the country, and interacting with the students and faculty on this ship has opened up the world for me in so many ways. I signed up for this trip thinking this would be the ultimate travel experience, but now I see this as just the beginning of my traveling career. If anyone is interested in learning about this program, I’d love to share my experience with you and give you advice. You can reach me at shane.rasnak@gmail.com.

Michael Smith, Academic Dean, Summer Voyage 2009 (Excerpted from his remarks to students at the SAS Summer ’09 Convocation)
Over these past 67 days, we’ve experienced a dizzying array of activities, launched several new student organizations, raised funds for scholarships, all in the midst of encountering new people and places. … I hope that as you consider your time on this voyage that, overall, each of you will find it well-spent, and that you believe yourself to be well on the way to becoming the person you aspire to be. Your time here has been defined not only by your accomplishments, and your contributions to your community, but also by your aspirations, and by taking the time to reflect and be with friends.

…I hope and believe that your education here has equipped you to undertake this deceptively simple task of “thinking things through” as you engage with different people, places and cultures. And I think that you will find that this task of living out your hopes and matching them to your accomplishments and your contributions to the wider world—in other words, living your own unique vision of what it means to be truly human—you will find that this task goes on throughout your lives.

Seeing Two Very Different Worlds

Tyler Browne has seen the world in two very different ways: from the end of an automatic rifle while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and, now, as one of 700-plus students studying aboard the MV Explorer.

For four years, Tyler served in the Marines--having joined at age 18. He fought in Iraq for six months and Afghanistan for five months during his four-year military tenure.

He has seen friends die, has had to shoot in order to be shot and killed, has lost friends in battle, and has experienced anger in himself and in the people of the countries in which he battled, like no other anger he has seen or felt before.

“It was the worst four years of my life,” Tyler, now 24, recalls as he shows photos of himself, clad in his military fatigues and gripping a machine gun.

His world is vastly different now and the change is immediate in his appearance. His close-cropped red hair from his military days is now grown out to long surfer locks. He’s traded his gun in for a passport, pen and notebook. But his travel, at least for the past two months, has still been on a ship.

“It’s kind of cool to be on a ship again, especially one like this,” he said. “It’s no where near the same as when I was a Marine.”

In the Battlefield
Tyler always wanted to join the military and had been in and out of military academies while in high school. His father served in Vietnam and for Tyler—part of the 9/11 generation—representing his country just seemed like the right thing to do. During boot camp in San Diego he signed up for infantry. “I wanted to shoot a gun and go on the front lines,” he recalls.

His fleet was sent first to Kuwait and then to Iraq just as the Battle of Fallujah was happening. “It was a really crazy time; you basically lived your life in a live or die mentality. You don’t think about it then, but now, as I’m older I just think, ‘Wow, that was crazy.’ ”

Tyler left the military two years ago and, since then, has been enrolled at Santa Barbara City College.

Although he saw a number of countries while in the Marines and backpacked through Europe after leaving the military, Tyler was intrigued by what Semester at Sea had to offer. “Basically, I wanted to see the world and I thought this would be a cool way to do it,” he said. “And it’s been a pretty cool experience to visit eight countries.”

There was a bit of a culture shock for him, despite having been in college. “I’ve never been in the dorms or spent a lot of time with people who were so much younger,” he said. “But it was cool to see some of these places because their landscapes reminded me of Iraq and Afghanistan. You realize how similar the topography is for so much of this part of the world.”

Different Perspectives
Tyler’s view of the world is vastly different than that of his SAS classmates. “In the military you’re not going into tourist areas at all. You’re in areas where people don’t want to go. But you get to see the back roads of Afghanistan and some villages that have generators for their electricity and no running water.”

Those experiences have helped him appreciate what he’s seen and learned as a student.

And, his time aboard the MV Explorer has provided him with vastly different, but still important, views of the world and provided a different sense of community.

“I’ve learned a lot about foreign and European Union politics,” he said. “And traveling to the different countries re-emphasized the lessons on the cultural norms that we studied.”

Moving Forward
When not studying, in class, or touring a country, Tyler could often be found on the seventh deck of the MV Explorer, playing his guitar. He surprised, and wowed, the SAS community with his playing and singing talents during last night's Open Mic-Talent show.

“Tyler’s a real stand-up guy and a really good kid, pretty laid back,” said Shaun Crisler, Assistant Dean of Students for the summer voyage. “I especially appreciate hearing him play guitar at 12 in the morning when you’re outside stargazing. It’s nice to hear that soft guitar melody in the background.”

Tyler expects to graduate from S.B. City College this fall and plans to transfer to UC Berkeley or another UC campus to study economics.

SAS’s LifeLong Learners

Students will leave their experience on Semester at Sea in four days with friendships that extend beyond those made with classmates. They include bonds with professors, staff, and with a special group of SAS voyagers known as the lifelong learners.

The lifelong learners (better known as the LLLs) are a diverse group of travelers, most of whom have traveled the world throughout their lives, have retired from their jobs, and, for several, are repeat alums of Semester at Sea voyages.

The LLLs created a sort of extended family aboard the MV Explorer. They become the surrogate parents and grandparents for many students, and often keep in touch with them long after a voyage is over. But more than that, the lifelong learners help create an intergenerational learning community and provide different perspectives that can enhance the students’ learning on the ship.

“I think many of the students realize that in lifelong learners they have people who can talk about a place and about experiences,” says Carol Larson, coordinator of the summer voyage’s lifelong learner program and director of UPitt’s study abroad program.

She added: “You see many of the students coming up to us and asking ‘Have you been here before? What should I know?’ I think that community leads to an education that is unique.”

How It Started
Adult learners have sailed with Semester at Sea for almost as long as SAS has been around. However, an organized program—that includes daily meetings with guest speakers and special programs—was created about 16 years ago and has been operating as such ever since. The uniqueness of this sailing experience has inspired repeat lifelong learner voyagers, some as many as 20 times!

“This is an experience of a lifetime, even for lifelong learners,” says Betty Waldron who, with her husband Milt, has sailed on more than a dozen voyages.

The Waldrons were introduced to Semester at Sea by their daughter, who sailed as a student. She encouraged them to come on as lifelong learners. Milt, instead, joined as the doctor for a voyage and continued in that role for many years after and Betty eventually became coordinator of the LLL program when they both sailed. Milt has reprised his role as physician on the Summer 2009 voyage and Betty is co-coordinator this summer.

“We have definitely changed from being on these voyages and we feel very lucky,” says Betty.

A Change for All
Students change as well from their time spent with the lifelong learners.

“It is so nice to sit and talk with people who have such extensive life experiences and have traveled all around the globe,” says student Nhesty Ong. “I enjoy hearing their opinion in class, even if I don’t agree with it. It forces you to think a bit differently and look at things differently. And that’s all part of the experience.”

The intellectual engagement entices many lifelong learners to sail with Semester at Sea, including current lifelong learner Linda Berbrick. “I like learning about the countries I’m going to. I like interacting with the students and with the professors; it’s such a nice community,” says Berbrick, who is sailing for a second time as an LLL.

“You don’t get this when you go on any other cruise or group travel.”

Carol Larson agrees. “We’ve been on the fluffy cruise ships with the feather dancer show at 8 o’clock at night. It’s get old, fast. But to sit over dinner and discuss world politics, to learn a language and culture, to listen to the interport lecturers—it’s incredibly eye-opening.”

Carol’s husband, George Bentrem, has been pleasantly surprised by his first voyage experience. “As a lifelong physician, and with my military experience, I thought I had seen a lot,” he explains. “It was small in comparison to what I’ve seen on this voyage, in terms of a life experience: meeting and talking with people, visiting ports, the classroom work (I’ve attended 4 classes). It’s an expedition of discovery and that’s always fun.”

Learners Who Span Generations
This summer’s lifelong learners are a diverse group of individuals who range in age from their early 20s to their late 80s. They include a founding member of the Granny Peace Brigade, retirees (school teachers, physicians, business leaders), and professionals on leave.

Included in the group are three working teachers who make up SAS’s “Teachers at Sea” program. The program is open to all certified K-12 teachers and allows them to take course for which they can gain professional development credits.

Jenny Kim is one of three teachers on the Summer ’09 voyage. “This is my first time on a ship and my first time crossing the Atlantic, ever,” says Kim, a high school history teacher in northern California. “I’ve been teaching about all of these countries and for me to never have seen them is shameful. But now I can go back to my students with actual pictures of these places and stories.”

Stories and Relationships for a Lifetime
Jenny and the rest of the lifelong learners this summer have developed relationships as strong as those the students have made with one another. They are relationships that will carry on for years, as is the case with the Waldrons and other repeat LLL voyagers.

“We take something away from every voyage no matter how many times we’ve done it,” Betty says. “It’s a special experience. One that just makes you want to come back.”

Click on the image at right to watch the YouTube video about Semester at Sea's Lifelong Learner program.

A Fleet Footed View of the Mediterranean

SAS voyager Matthew Pollinger has taken a novel approach to touring most of the ports the program has visited this summer: he runs them.

It’s not a simple jog; Matthew has logged between 50 to 100 miles per port, averaging two hours for each run. Matthew is an ultra-marathon runner, which means that he runs races that are marathon length (26.2 miles) and above. His longest race was 72 miles.

As an ultra-long-distance runner, Matthew has had to maintain his training between long stretches at sea and participating in tours in each country. He is also training for a 100-mile race in Vermont in early October. The running regiment has been quite educational for the Ithaca College student.

“Each city has presented its own unique challenges. As the voyage went on it got more difficult to navigate a good running route,” he notes.

Between cultural differences (being stopped in Istanbul for running without a shirt and then for not covering his shoulders) and navigating roadways (drivers rarely stop for pedestrians in Piraeus, Greece), Matthew has understood the differences of countries from his unique perspective.

“It’s definitely been a challenge and a growing experience,” he said. “You get a real different feel for each city that you can only gain by smelling it, getting lost in it, feeling a bit threatened it and allowing yourself to really explore it.”

Matthew said his two best running cities were Cadiz, Spain and Dubrovnik, Croatia. His best memory: Seeing a bear during a run in the hills just outside Dubrovnik. “I just waited for it to move on before I did.”

First Annual SAS Short Film Festival is a Hit

From an "infomercial" for an alarm clock featuring "The Voice" of the voyage (aka-Asst. Exec. Dean Dia Draper) to a test of smarts against small kids (Can you say "Civitavecchia"?), Semester at Sea students, faculty, staff and even small kids joined in for the first annual short film festival during the last week of the voyage.

Ten films ranging in length from 30 seconds to about five minutes were screened to a standing-room only audience in the ship's Union. Winning videos included traveling form a deaf person's perspective, a photo slideshow of Istanbul, a kid-inspired cookie caper and a top prize, student-created film on the power of art.

The winning student video, by Tia Dawkins-Hendricks, will be included in the official DVD commemorating the summer voyage. You can view the other winners by clicking on the videos below.


Second Place Winner: Detective Stamper Film


First Place Tie Winner (non-student): "Istanbul" by SAS Staffer Casey Hudetz

Istanbul .

Third Place Winner: "Egypt from a Deaf Person's Perspective" by SAS Staffer Lissa Place

A Life Marked by Travel & SAS Voyages

When she steps off the MV Explorer, in Norfolk, Virginia, in less than a week, Kara Gregory will end her third Semester at Sea voyage and added three new countries to her current total of 36 countries and 35 states.

It’s a lot of traveling for someone so young (she’s 23), and not quite expected from a girl who grew up in Anadarko, Oklahoma, a town of 6,000 people, and attends college in another small town, in Emporia, Kansas.

But Kara belies her small town image. She is a self-described risk taker, adventurer, and experienced traveler. She started at age16 as a foreign exchange student in Australia for the summer. And, she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. (Aside from her SAS voyages, she’s has been on six cruises and plans to go on another, short one in January to the Cayman Islands and Mexico.)

Kara first sailed with Semester at Sea on the Fall 2007 voyage. “I knew the moment I got off that voyage that I was coming back,” she recalls. She returned in May 2008 for an Enrichment Voyage to Central America and then again for this summer’s voyage.

Kara’s wanderlust didn’t start with Semester at Sea. She credits her father with the initial spark in traveling. He traveled around the world in the Army and now works in China setting up an Asian division for his job. He has used Kara's voyages on SAS as an excuse to travel to Vietnam and, most recently, Greece to visit her.

Kara does cite her experience with Semester at Sea as having stoked her interest in international travel.

“I just absolutely loved getting to see the world, especially experiencing the different cultures,” she says. “It just made me want to continually come back and see different parts of the world. And I think this is the best opportunity because you not only get to take classes, you get to learn about [the countries] in depth.”

The experience on Semester at Sea also prompted Kara to travel to South Korea last summer to teach English to college students through a program at her home university.

Kara could have studied abroad elsewhere, but returned to Semester at Sea because of its unique opportunities for global learning and exploration.

“I did have the opportunity to study abroad at Oxford, but I chose Semester at Sea again because you get to go to a lot of countries and see so much more. You get to experience a lot more versus just being in England for a whole summer. I think it’s a better learning experience to go to several instead of just staying in one,” she says.

Kara doesn’t have an unlimited bank account to pay for the voyages. A combination of financial aid, grants from her home school, and long-term saving helped her afford the Fall ’07 and Summer ’09 voyages.

Kara returns to her college ready to complete her final year and graduate with a double major in business marketing and psychology. Her post-college plan for now is to move to China to join her father and brother to either teach English, work for a business, learn Mandarin, or all of the above.

She is certain, however, that her life will mirror her passport: filled with as many adventures and experiences abroad as there are stamps from those countries.

How Students Afford Semester at Sea

Many students would love to be a part of the Semester at Sea experience, but often don’t think it’s possible because of their financial constraints.

Quite the contrary. Lots of students get financial assistance.

In fact, nearly half of the students on the Summer ’09 voyage received financial aid from the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE). For the past several years, ISE has been working diligently to build an annual fund to support scholarships and aid to make voyages accessible for all interested students.

“ISE is committed to making sure that all students who want to participate in Semester at Sea have the opportunity to do so,” said Mike Zoll, executive dean of the Summer ’09 voyage and Vice President of Enrollment and Student Affairs for the Institute for Shipboard Education.

"We believe strongly in the program’s mission and that the experience truly deepen one’s understanding of issues and cultures around the world and one’s place in the world," Zoll said. "Everyone—regardless of their financial situation—should be able to be a part of that.”

In the past three years, the fund for financial assistance has doubled from $1.6 million to $3.25 million. For the summer voyage, ISE provided just over $1 million in aid to nearly 44% of the students, averaging $3,300 per student—the most financial assistance ever given for a summer voyage. Of that aid, 49% was in need-based grants; 38% were scholarships and 13% were student leadership awards.

Students have also managed to afford the Semester at Sea voyage in a number of other ways. Read on to learn how some of the Summer 2009 voyagers have paid for Semester at Sea to have an experience of a lifetime.

Sarah Shepherd, Bowling Green State University
I applied for a lot of scholarships both through SAS and my home university. I also did a lot of work and saved a lot of money before coming. My parents did a parent-student loan, but most of it is through my own.

Emily Bialas, U-Pitt
I almost wasn’t able to come because I didn’t have the means to come on the ship. I applied for all the scholarships that Semester at Sea offered and I got a needs-based grant a small merit-based scholarship. I took out a loan from my bank to cover the remainder. It was important enough for me to do this; I wanted to make sure I could come.

Ana Alexandrescu, Lehigh University
I applied for tons of financial aid. I was pretty much on the e-mail almost every day. IAnd I applied for all the scholarships that were available and I got a few of them. So, combined, I got a financial aid package that allowed me to be able to come.

Shani Graves, Temple Univ.
My mother and stepfather gave me $2,000 and then I took out a little over $3,000 in Stafford loans and a $5,000 private loan. It was definitely important enough for me to do that I wanted to take out loans to help me pay for it.

Audrey Rupnow, North Texas University
My entire voyage was paid for with scholarships and grants—about $9,000 through SAS and $1,700 was from my home school. I also worked a lot before I came (to pay for books and tours) and my family also helped me out. I specifically came for the summer because it was a better financial option for me.

Chelsea Person, Virginia Commonwealth Univ.
I applied for and received some financial aid through ISE and I also applied for two other scholarships and I got one from the Golden Key International Honor Society. I paid for the rest through a $4,000 student loan I took out myself. I am using that to cover the tuition balance, books, tours, FDPs (faculty directed practica), and spending money.

Amy Robinson, Flagler College
I’m paying for this whole thing myself. I paid for a lot of it myself through scholarships at school and work as an R.A. (resident advisor) at school. I saved about $9,000 by working as an RA at my home school. I also got the R.A. program here and I got a $500 scholarship from SAS. Plus, I worked for six weeks before I left for this trip and then have relied on whatever money is in my bank account.

Erica Morrissette, SUNY Oswego
I’m paying for this myself. I applied the day you could apply for the Summer voyage and decided on the summer because it was less expensive than a fall or spring voyage. Then, I basically spent nearly a year trying to find ways to save. Some things I did were:
• Apply to be an R.A. at my school and to be an R.A. on the ship
• Purposely take online classes at home and live at home (I go to school 3 hours away).
• I took out a Stafford loan to cover my room and board, even though I was living at home, and just applied that money to my SAS voyage.

Lauren Armstrong, Michigan State University
My parents each paid half of the tuition and I worked before I came to save money. I also received an R.A. position on the ship, which has helped cover the cost of trips and incidentals.

Colby Melvin, Spring Hill College
I applied for as many scholarships as I could and my family helped pay for the rest. It was probably my Christmas, birthday and even graduation present.

Nico Kerr, UC Santa Cruz
I’ve been planning on Semester at Sea for over a year and have been saving for all that time. I mainly afforded it through SAS’s financial aid. They granted me $7,000 total, including my R.A. position on the ship. I saved another $6,000 working as an R.A. at my university. I also received some help from my grandparents and family friends. The money I saved from my R.A. work at my home institution allowed me to pay for tours and traveling expenses like air flights and books.

Eric Paulino, Sarah Lawrence College
I was fortunate enough to receive a full tuition scholarship through that National Society of High School Scholars. I still had to pay for books, tours and everything else and my family helped scrape together some money for me to do that.


Sarah Cogdill, Univ. of Texas
I started working in high school at 16 because I knew that, in college, I wanted to study abroad and that I would have to pay for it. I was preparing for the Semester at Sea voyage for a year and saving up for the idea of studying abroad for three years. So, through my own savings and taking out a loan, I was able to do it all on my own.

Nexus Cook, Temple University
I got almost all of it covered by SAS (through the partnership with the Diversity Abroad program) and the rest was my mom and family friends.

Francisco Martinez, Stanford University
I got most of my money from the Diversity Abroad Scholarship. Then I got additional financial assistance from Semester at Sea, saved some from a previous job, and took out a federal loan.

Jessica Bingham, Brigham Young University
Financial aid covered most of my costs. My family can’t help. I have six little brothers and sisters. Whatever financial aid didn’t cover came from money I’ve saved from working.

Postscript: Morocco

The Summer voyage's final port of Morocco was a blend of wonderful food, dynamic architecture, a more laid back environment than Egypt, and a port that capped off a memorable summer for the students. Here are some of their adventures:

Claire Hunter, Wesleyan University (CT)
I went to Marrakesh and camel riding in palm groves as part of my time in Morocco and it was a really nice time in the country. I was able to speak with people in French which was helpful. And the trek through the palm groves was beautiful. Yes, we had a bit of a tourist experience, but we also had an authentic experience to travel as current and past Moroccans had done. And we were able to have mint tea in a traditional Berber house. I found in Morocco that no matter what degree of wealth or poverty people were very generous. They were filled with so much joy and different things were important to them.

My only disappointment with Morocco was that I didn’t really feel like I was in Africa. The French presence was very strong and I didn’t expect it to be so imbedded in the culture. It was very reminiscent of colonization there. Still, I would have liked to have stayed there for longer.

Suci Madjidji, U-Pitt
While in Morocco, I was fortunate enough to stay at the homes of two families in Rabat and Fes, who were friends of a friend of mine from home.

First, my friends and I met with a 25-year-old and his friends to visit Rabat. Seeing the city from a Moroccan’s perspective was a wonderful and special experience. I was able to experience Rabat like other tourists couldn’t, which first meant eating camel burgers at a place where the guys are regulars. Eating camel was an interesting experience, but what made it especially memorable—and somewhat disturbing—was the camel head hanging in front of the restaurant. It was one thing to eat camel; it was another to stare at camel parts while my meal was being prepared. Surprisingly, the camel was pretty good. Hanging out with the guys showed me that we could have things in common despite our different cultures and that those differences made our experience all the more memorable.

In Fes, I was invited to the home of an 18-year-old girl whose family is somewhat conservative. The family was very welcoming and kind but, in talking with the girl, I realized the disparity between what she wanted to do and what she was allowed to do because of her family’s values. Our conversation made me appreciate the independence my parents afford me and the support they provide.

My time in Morocco was fun and very enlightening. I learned a lot about the culture and I was also able to teach them about mine. I also left with the best thing I had gotten from any of the countries we have visited— new friends.

Baron Yeh, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver BC
I had a really terrific time in Morocco. The countryside is gorgeous. Parts of it look like places you would see in the states with the mountains and dry lands. The people are gracious and friendly. And having the chance to see how people live, how they make oil and spices, make tea. A group of us did zip-lining just outside of Marrakech and it was an absolutely amazing experience. It may not have been directly connected to Moroccan culture, but I think it’s still a unique and really fun way to see the diversity of the landscape. And, in going there, our guide took us to homes where people were living and it’s a wonderful view, a different view of a part of the country and the people.

Maia Kobabe, Dominican University (CA)
I heard before that Casablanca was not an interesting city, but I found it to be the complete opposite. The [Hassan II] Mosque was definitely the big highlight. My tour of it was too fast for me to draw, so I went back again to really admire the architecture and sketch all the different aspects of the building. It was really nice to have the time to reflect on my time in the country and listen to the ocean.

I also enjoyed a one-day tour we had of Rabat and seeing the Casbah that they turned into a public garden. I also thought the unfinished mosque there was really interesting from an architectural point of view with the half-completed minoret and a field full of incomplete columns, but no walls. I almost went back to Rabat again just to go there again.

Overall, it was nice to have Morocco be our last port. Casablanca wasn’t as hectic as Alexandria and Cairo. Plus, I had some of the most amazing mint tea and Moroccan pastries and enjoyed going out for a Moroccan dinner or dessert almost every night after having dinner on the ship. They were really nice evenings with friends and a special way to explore Moroccan cuisine, culture and people.

An Ideal Welcome to Morocco

Voyagers received a wonderful welcome at Semester at Sea’s final port during a small reception with Moroccan students and U.S. diplomatic officials at the U.S. Cultural Center in Casablanca.

Twenty-five students, faculty, staff and lifelong learners socialized, danced and got to know more than two dozen Moroccan students, who ranged in age from recent high school graduates to college students, and young professionals. The groups were joined by U.S. Consular General Elizabeth Millard and Jack Rusenko, president of Global Education and board president of George Washington Academy, a K-12 school with American accreditation that is based in Casablanca.

“It was a really great event. We had a lot of opportunities to speak with the Moroccan students one-on-one and to ask them questions about life in Morocco, especially for the women—like dating and marriage,” said Emily Conrique, a lifelong learner on the SAS Summer Voyage, who is a high school teacher in San Diego.

Emily and other members of the Semester at Sea group were treated to live Moroccan music and fed a number of delicious Moroccan pastries and traditional mint tea.

As a teacher, Emily said she was struck by the differences in the education system. For example, high school students in Morocco must choose a major while in high school from either economics, science or math. Once in college they can switch or adapt their interests within their major from high school. Many Moroccans, Emily learned, major in English.

Baron Yeh, a student at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia, said the welcome reception was one of the best events he had attended with Semester at Sea specifically because it allowed him to have more personal and open conversations with Moroccans than he may have otherwise had.

“I really got to have good conversations about education and the ‘green’ movement and how they are happening and impacting people in Morocco,” said Baron. “It was a wonderful way to begin my time in Morocco and a nice way to learn about the country and its people.”

Click on the video below to catch a glimpse of the reception.

Shipboard Auction is a Success

Semester at Sea’s annual shipboard drive got off to a strong start thanks to the more than $25,000 raised in a recent one-day shipboard auction.

Students, staff and faculty bid in both silent and live auctions organized throughout the day and evening. Many in the shipboard community—including the captain and crew—as well as parents of students donated each of the 127 items that were up for bid.

“Students started working on the auction from the first week we were on the ship, and really put a lot of time into it, so we really happy with how it all turned out,” said Jenny DeLuna, a living-learning coordinator who oversaw the work on the auction.

Auction items were as small as a pizza and movie night and as large as a weeklong stay at a home in Nicaragua. The money raised during the auctions is the largest amount to date among recent summer voyages, surpassing Summer 2007 and Summer 2008. All funds raised go to the Semester at Sea Annual Fund, which supports student scholarships and on-ship programs.

“We had a lot of late nights to make sure we had it all together and, in the end, the goal was achieved,” said student Jason Morton, who was instrumental in organizing the event. "So, we had fun and did some good at the same time."

This Crew’s Got Talent

Never underestimate the singing chops of your cabin steward. And, appreciate the funky dance moves of the busboy and helpers in the dining hall. Students on the summer voyage certainly did. The talent among the crew surprised and thrilled students and staff during the annual evening performance.

“I really enjoyed it. I was surprised the crew could sing so well,” said Sharon Hornstein of UConn.

Students could hear the crew practicing for several days behind closed doors—strumming their electric guitars and the thump-thump of hip-hop music. During the night of the performance they heard the smooth crooning voice of longtime crew member Vic Adobo, who belted out a wonderful rendition of Lionel Ritchie’s “Lady”. The hit for many students were the hip-hop dancing routines by steward cabins and dining hall staff.

“Usually when I see them around they’re always working all the time, so, it was nice to see them having fun,” said student Nathan Pearson, who attends West Virginia University. Vic was Nathan’s favorite act. “He was really good. He just got up there and really belted out those love songs.”

Reflections on Egypt

Without question, Egypt was a memorable experience for the majority of the students aboard of the summer voyage. How can one not be humbled when viewing the Great Pyramids or the 4,000-year-old paintings inside the stone temples that still have some very vibrant colors. Several students had the fortune of sharing the experience with their parents who participated in the SAS-organized Parent Tour to Egypt. Some learned the true meaning of the voyage’s theme, not from their instructors, but from their interactions with Egyptians. A few students of Egyptian descent visited family, with one student—Amira Yousef—seeing her relatives for the first time in 10 years. As we sail to our final destination before heading back to the U.S., several SAS students shared their experiences from Egypt. While this is a longer blog entry, the students’ reflections are engaging, heartfelt and well worth the read. Enjoy!

Sunrise at the Great Pyramids
Jon Simmons, UConn
Words cannot describe the splendor of the Great Pyramids. Soaring heavenward with blocks nearly matching my 6’1” frame, they dominate the skyline. Even in the hazy half light of morning they seem to gleam all on their own. As the sun slowly rose up behind the pyramids, each ray illuminated the monuments and highlighted the simple beauty and power of these structures.

Standing at the base of a pyramid, one can’t help but feel a sense of smallness. The pyramids have conquered the test of time and modern machinery. I feel honored to be a visitor here, like I have joined the ranks of a group—a group that has come to enjoy the majestic power and splendor of the pyramids of Giza.

On Experiencing Egypt
Timothy Jones II, Morehouse College
Egypt has truly been both a liberating and exhilarating experience. The stories of the people of the Nile and the ancient temples embellished with hieroglyphics that I have studied in class are no longer just pictures in some book. Instead, they are real people and places with a timeless history. I have eaten their food, walked in their steps, and admired their culture. These pyramids and giant temples have withstood the test of time and embedded within each brick and stone there is a history greater than my own. It’s the history of a people—my people—your people. In experiencing Egypt, I have come to the conclusion that we have come to a place where we can stand amongst the giants—the great pyramids. In doing this, we open ourselves up to truly understanding past, present, and new stories that are meaningful moments captured in time.

The Temple of Abu-Simbel
Jessica Kenyon, Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.)
Visiting the Temple of Abu Simbel was definitely my favorite part of my trip to Egypt. I had no idea what or where Abu Simbel was before we got there, but now I’ll never forget it. When we first arrived I was thinking, “Oh, it’s just another temple.” But seeing the Great Temple honestly blows the others out of the water. I am still fully impressed by the Karnack and Luxor temples, but nothing can top Abu Simbel.

Abu Simbel is where Pharaoh Ramsses II built a temple for himself and his queen, Nefertari. In the 1960s, UNESCO had to literally move a mountain to save the temple from the rising waters of Lake Nasser because of the building of the Aswan High Dam. Hearing that a mountain was literally moved in order to save the temple was unbelievable. I mean people just don’t go around moving mountains. They had to take apart the temple stone by stone and move it to a higher location to rebuild it. (The original location is underwater today. The water is still very visible from the Great Temple's new location.)

Our tour guide told us that when they rebuilt the Great Temple during the move they had to align it so that the sun would still shine on the face of the statue there. Today, this is visible on February 22nd and October 22nd. We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside, but walking inside the Great Temple and seeing all of the hieroglyphics and carvings that are still visible to this day was breathtaking.

Just to listen to the history behind the temple and then to be able to walk inside and see it for myself, it's unlike anything else.


Egypt’s Lesson on Social Justice
Colby Melvin, Spring Hill College (Ala.)
My tour guide in Egypt, “Mr. Tito”, changed my outlook on the world. He was assigned to lead our small group by travel agency that organized an independent tour for us in Egypt. The stories Tito shared with me made me realize why human rights and social justice—the theme of this voyage—are such important issues.

Tito was incredibly gracious and generous throughout our days together, giving us free tours around the city, seeing that we caught our train to Luxor, and texting me to make sure we all arrived safely. During a dinner on the Nile he even paid for a cake and had the band sing happy birthday to someone in our group who was celebrating a birthday. We learned that it was Tito’s 30th birthday the next day and included him in the festivities. But we were concerned that our new friend—who was so jovial the day we first met—seemed rather distant and removed despite the celebrations.

Then he revealed his story.

Two years ago Tito fell in love. However, he told us that, in the Muslim culture marriage is not solely based on love. Typically, a man buys an apartment and pays the father a price for his daughter. If the father accepts the daughter must marry the man. If she doesn’t it is considered a great dishonor to the family. Tito’s love had been “purchased” by someone else and, unfortunately for Tito, she chose honor over love. Two years later, he’s still in love with her and feels a sense of helplessness. He has tried to move on. He has applied for visit to study in the U.S., but has been denied every time. He wants to find a woman he loves before he marries her, something that is against the norms of Muslim culture. His family is pressuring him to get married. And his conflicting view has estranged him from his family. He feels trapped in a culture that he doesn’t agree with and sees no way out.

I have never imagined or experienced this internal struggle. I always thought love was a basic human freedom. I have the freedom to be and be with who I want and to live the life I desire. Tito doesn’t. It is hard to tell a man to keep looking to the future in a culture that is so focused and keeping him back.

I am so grateful to have met Tito. He has taught me to be grateful for the things we often take for granted—the many “freedoms” we have as Americans.

Parent-Student Travel in Egypt
Kate O’Hara, Nichols College (Mass.) & her dad
Keith O’Hara (Dad): I came to Egypt because I missed my daughter and because Egypt was on my top 10 list of places I wanted to visit. The voyage’s theme was also really important to me. This is my first extensive period in an Islamic country and it has been very eye opening and interesting. For me, it’s all about the opportunity to walk the talk about human rights, which starts with learning. And the adventure of it all is wonderful. The guides are truly Egyptologists who give us a cultural, historical perspective. It’s all very exciting. Sharing this time with my daughter, to listen to her recount all of the stories from the other countries truly makes this an unforgettable and touching trip for me.

Kate O’Hara (Daughter): The parent trip came at a time in the voyage when we all started missing our families. But even more I feel like Egypt is one of the most profound places I’ve been in my life so it was nice to have my dad here to share it with. Seeing all the poverty and the lifestyle changes that are completely opposite of our own was really mindblowing to me. My dad has traveled a lot so I know he’s seen things like this before, but it was nice that he was here with me the first time I got to experience it. We just enjoyed the time together and soaked everything in. For me, seeing the three ancient pyramids with my dad was the most special time. He and I went to the ancient temples in Mexico together when I was 12, so it was kind of cool that we got to do it here, too. Because we have so many children in my family [there are seven kids], it’s been really awesome to have the one-on-one time with my dad.

Reconnecting with Family
Amira Yousef, Cal State Channel Islands
It had been 10 years since I saw my family in Egypt. I was around 11 years old the last time I visited Egypt. There isn’t much I remember of Egypt from that trip, except for seeing the Pyramids and playing with my cousins.

When I found out that Semester at Sea was coming to Egypt I definitely wanted to see them. Nine months ago, I told my family in Egypt that I was coming and there was madness over there; they were really excited that I was coming. This my dad’s family; he is from Egypt. Aside from my dad and my uncle, no one from his family has ever been to the U.S. I have a couple of uncles and aunts there and lots of cousins.

When we arrived in Alexandria, my uncle was there to pick me up. My mom sent a picture of me so he could recognize me, but I didn’t recognize him so he had to call my name. … Every time I saw a new family member I hadn’t seen in so long, it felt really good to see them.

I visited the pyramids with my cousins, some of whom I had never met and others who I remember playing with in my dad’s village. My uncle also took me to my dad’s village. It was hard going there; it was very hard to see. There were houses still made out of mud there. The people are very poor and living in unhealthy conditions. In a lot of the houses they live with their animals in the same room with them. So, there’s feces on the floor and they’re living there. So it was hard to see my family living in such horrible conditions. It’s a very stark view of poverty, which is very different than what tourists see in the cities like Alexandria and Cairo. My dad’s brother and his wife still live in the village with their kids. And a lot of my cousins live in the village. I probably saw 60 people in that village that I am somehow related to.

My family in the village made a big dinner to celebrate my visit. We had pigeon and duck, which is only cooked for a special occasion. We had a big gathering at the house of the priest of the village, because he’s my dad’s cousin. There were probably 30 people inside that little house. They were all so welcoming to me and so loving.

Even though they hadn’t seen me for 10 years they never lost any love for me at all. I felt so welcome there and I felt like I belonged there. You don’t get that in the states very much for people you haven’t seen in 10 years and only had met one time.

My visit to reconnect with my family really made me want to return soon to Egypt to study Arabic. Because I’m from a family where my mother is from the U.S. and my father is Egyptian and I’m first generation in the U.S., I’ve always felt different from the rest of my friends. I felt like I was missing something. And when I was there in Egypt, I really did feel like I had a connection with all of these people and this is something I need to learn more about. It is my culture and I feel like I need to learn more about that.

Meeting of a Lifetime in Egypt

A group of very lucky Semester at Sea students got the unexpected honor of meeting Egypt’s renowned antiquities expert, Dr. Zahi Hawass, and getting a private tour by him of the Step Pyramid in Saqqara (pronounced “Sakkara”), which currently is closed to the public.

“The feeling of privilege to have a special tour of these places made me feel very special,” said Jinyi (Jenny) Chen, a student at Univ. of Virginia. “There was not much inside, but I am excited for when they finish their work there.”

The students were part of a Semester at Sea three-day tour of Cairo. During part of their tour they visited Saqqara and were standing outside of the Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser (pronounced “Zoser”), which was built by the architect/engineer Imhotep almost 5,000 years ago. The pyramid is still closed to the public and is undergoing some excavations.

The group’s tour guide was a doctoral student of Hawass. Both she and SAS student Nexus Cook recognized Hawass immediately and were quite excited. For Nexus, meeting Hawass was a dream come true.

“I have loved ancient Egypt history since I was a kid and have watched lots of movies about it and read so many books,” says Nexus. “So, for me, seeing Dr. Hawass was like seeing a huge celebrity.”

Hawass has more than four decades studying, inspecting and overseeing the antiquities in Egypt. He is currently Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. In this role, he controls all of the antiquities of Egypt and serves as the chief advocate for preserving and protecting Egypt’s ancient monuments. A 2006 profile article in Time magazine dubbed Hawass “The Man”, noting that “he determines who will excavate in Egypt and when and where.” Hawass was President Barack Obama’s guide during the President’s late July visit to Egypt and the pyramids.

In her blog, Nexus Cook, a student at Temple University, wrote the following about the experience and special tour. (It is a bit long, but well worth the read):

Aug. 2—In all sincerity, today was the best day of my life. …Not many people know this, but I am obsessed with ancient Egyptian art, history and culture. I used to, and still, watch every single documentary [about Egypt] on the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, the National Geographic Channel—pretty much any channel that is showing something about ancient Egypt. I have read countless books about all the Gods and hieroglyphics and I seriously used to want to—and still do—be an archeologist and Egyptologist. The Indiana Jones movies are my favorite movies of all time!

When I was younger I used to collect rocks and pretend that I was finding some ancient, lost Egyptian treasure. Basically, I have been looking forward to going to Egypt since I was about 4 years old.

Anyway, today we went to Memphis, which was the first capital of Egypt and the first established city in the entire world. I saw the most amazing statue of King Ramses the Second. Then we went to Sakkara. We get off the bus and are headed towards the first step pyramid and first stone building ever made all over the world and I see all these men yelling and I see a couple camera guys. Then all of a sudden I see my idol—Dr. Zahi Hawass. Dr. Zahi Hawass is the world-renowned archeologist and the most famous Egyptologist in the world.

I have read three of his books and I watch every single documentary that I see on TV with him in it. When I saw him I was literally star struck. I have met celebrities before, quite a few actually, and I have never been star struck, but Dr. Zahi Hawass—a guy that most people don't even know, but should—and I am speechless.

I got over being speechless very quickly and walked over and introduced myself to him. He asked me where I go to school and when I told him Temple University he got excited because he used to live in Philly. I told him how excited I was to meet him; I felt like I was skipping through air. My tour guide was the only other person who was just as happy as I was.

Dr. Hawass was at the step pyramids doing a show with one of Egypt’s most famous movies stars, Ramez Galal. So, Grace [Obando, my roommate] and I took a bunch of pictures with him and then were recorded for the show. Galal told us to repeat a phrase in English and Arabic, something like “Traveling the world with Ramez and Egypt’s Indiana Jones, Dr. Zahi Hawass!” I was completely embarrassed/ecstatic because I was standing next to Dr. Hawass!

After all the hype with the cameras, Dr. Hawass quiets everyone down in our group and says “As a special treat for all of you, I will allow you all to go inside the Step Pyramid of Imhotep!” I ALMOST PASSED OUT!! NO ONE IS ALLOWED INSIDE THE STEP PYRAMID. My tour guide, who has been doing her job for 35 years, had never been inside the Step Pyramid of Imhotep. It was like a scene form a movie; I could not believe it! We had our own escort inside the oldest man made building on the planet!!

I watched a man unlock the bolted door that leads inside the pyramid. It was so exclusive that the lights weren’t even on. He had to turn the lights on inside the part we were allowed to walk through. It was truly amazing. I seriously feel so blessed. My group got to go inside an ancient pyramid that very few people are allowed to go in. It was so cool.

Needless to say, I love Egypt. I knew I would, but my time here has surpassed all expectations. I could not have asked for a better time. I am in love with this country, the people, the culture, the history, everything. I had the best time of my life. I don't think anything can top this. And if it does, I might not come back to America.

Sunrise on Africa

Arriving in Egypt held a special meaning for a number of African-American students sailing with Semester at Sea’s Summer ’09 voyage. For them, it was the first time they were traveling to Africa. To celebrate the moment, about 15 African-American students slept out under the stars to awake for a sunrise over Egypt. In the morning, they were joined by more of their classmates to watch the sunrise as the MV Explorer sailed into the port city of Alexandria.

For several students, the event market their first time sleeping out under the stars at night. “Oh my gosh, the stars looked like they were right there in front of ship, not so far up in the sky,” said Triana Francois, who is from New York City and attends the Fashion Institute of Technology.

For Shanae Strachan, this was her first-ever sunrise and one, she said, she is not likely to forget. “It was really wonderful to see,” said Shanae, who attends Monroe College (NY). “Alexandria may not be the prettiest port, but it’s the gateway to Egypt and, for us, to Africa. It was a very powerful moment for all of us to step foot on to this continent.”

The trip to the Great Pyramids was even more momentous for the two students. “Going to the pyramids and the temples seeing the drawings and the dark brown color of the people on the drawings from thousands of years ago made me feel really good,” said Triana. “We were in Africa and it was great.”

Click on the short video below to see the students' sunrise experience.

Post-Port Reflections on Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a fascinating country still trying to find its place in the world economy and culture even after 20 years post-Communism. The country borders the Black Sea and is a beach resort for many Europeans and eastern Europeans. For Semester at Sea students, faculty, and staff visiting Bulgaria was a time to relax in the fairly quiet port city of Varna. Students met with Bulgarian college students, visited orphanages, took jeep safaris to rural areas, toured UNESCO sites, and were first-time visitors to small Bulgarian villages eager to welcome them. Below are some reflections of both faculty and students on their Bulgarian experiences. And, click on the short video at the end to see some photos. Be sure to check the Semester At Sea website for the longer audio slideshow.

Rocky Rohwedder, Semester at Sea Faculty (Visited a Bulgarian village)
If you solely based your impressions of Bulgaria on the port city of Varna, it might be easy to typecast the country as just another former Soviet territory struggling with its identity and becoming a free-market economy. However, after a trip to the rural countryside, a far richer story begins to emerge. It’s a story of people deeply connected to their historical roots, their local community, and what today we might call sustainable living.

As part of an SAS trip to a small village on the Doubroudza plain--considered the breadbasket of Bulgaria because of the many grain varieties grown in the area--we glimpsed the heart of Bulgaria and the depth of spirit of its' people. The mayor, along with passersby on the street greeted us, shook our hands, and welcomed us to their special place. We may not have understood their language, but their actions clearly communicated that we were welcome.

We toured the ‘community center,’ where villagers share books, art, theater, dance and stories, the mayor’s office, the local church (where we were moved by hymns sung by the priest), and finally the mayor’s home. There, we were treated to a 14-course feast of local foods, many of which were grown in the village’s organic garden. The food was prepared in a wood oven and cooked by the local village women. These same women also shared their circle dances, native crafts, lively music, and silly jokes.

This trip epitomizes what Semester at Sea is all about—a glimpse into the lives of everyday people where we saw not only the uniqueness of their culture and earth-based living, but also a reflection of our own visions of a slower, simpler life focused on the importance of family, friends, rich conversation, and healthy food enjoyed at a pace that allows us to savor it all.
(Rocky Rohwedder teachers a shipboard course on sustainable communities. You can follow his blog at www.sonoma.edu/ensp/rocky)

Sara Pecoraro, San Diego State University
I really enjoyed going to the Welcome Reception with the medical university students. My parents are from Central and South America and the educational systems are similar. In those countries, students declare their major or academic focus in high school and then go directly into university for that subject. I think it’s interesting that more countries are like that than like they are in the U.S.

I also appreciated how incredibly friendly the students at the medical university were. I felt like a saw a real part of Bulgaria with the music, dancing and just watching the Bulgarian students hang out with one another. And, I really enjoyed speaking with students who are around my age, but from another country and culture.

William Moore, Marquette University (Roamed throughout Varna)
Personally, it wasn’t my favorite port, but the one thing that I liked out of Varna, I liked the way the city was designed. I liked the way everything was juxtaposed because you had art museums in parks. The construction of the city was beautiful, even the low-income housing I thought the way that was put together was very nice. However, I didn’t have the best experiences with the people. But I could see Varna being the place to go to for private time. I walked around Varna and sat down and wrote in my journal. I wanted to feel the pulse of the city by walking around it. I really found things by walking around on my own which is the same way I walked through Spain. Bulgaria was a place that I had read about because I’ve always loved Slavic languages and life, so I did research before so I could discover the place on my own.

David Swerdlow, Semester at Sea Faculty
The Shabla fishing village has never been a site for tourists, our tour guide Lyuba tells us. Lyuba clearly loves her country, including this old fishing village, which she has chosen for us. She wants to give us a behind the scenes look at her country. Ours is the first tour bus to come down this road. We’re a group of nearly 30 people. Lyuba is nervous that we’ll find this village to be a backwards place, that we’ll be uncomfortable with its primitive toilets and lack of technology, that we’ll suffer in its heat. What she doesn’t know is that many of us are anxious to leave comfortable tourism behind. This is exactly the kind of experience we yearn for.

The first person we meet in Shabla is the oldest fisherman in town. He’s shirtless, up on a ladder, painting a sign. Lyuba gets his attention and asks if he’d like to talk to us. He turns to us, and we see his broad grin gleaming against his fisherman’s tan. He tells us that he’s making a sign to let people know that he has rooms to rent. Not only is he the oldest fisherman in town--he jokes--he’s the owner of the only hotel. Climbing back up his ladder and beginning to paint the next letter, he looks at his brush, waves it in our direction, and tells us that now he’s the town artist as well. It’s impossible not to laugh along with this good-natured man. As we walk through the communist era homes, we meet several other villagers who chat comfortably with us about their lives. They show us their fishing boats that the old men know how to build from oak trees. They’re afraid it’s a dying art in Shabla.

Eventually, we come to the home of the family that is preparing a picnic for us. We meet their dog. We see their chickens. We admire their garden. Proudly, they give us tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers to taste. They are delicious.

Along the coast, just past the fishermen’s makeshift shacks, we come to the site of our picnic. Amidst the gorgeous formations of limestone that line the clear water of the Black Sea, our fisherman family has found three flat places to set three lovely tables. Each table has its own large umbrella and portion of chairs. Two empty chairs are by themselves, facing the sea, with their legs partially covered by the water. The table cloths and umbrellas flap elegantly in the light breeze.

Our meal is stunning. That morning, the family fished for us. We eat fresh steamed mussels, fried smelts, grilled mackerel, and quick fried sea snails. The tomato salad is fresh from their garden, as are the potatoes and fried zucchini. There are hearty loves of bread. There’s an incredible fish soup that we drink eagerly. There’s beer and soft drinks. At the end, the men carve watermelons for us. We cannot finish it all, as much as we try. In truth, it’s one of our best meals of the summer, if not the best. It is made with care, and we realize that we’ve not been treated as tourists. We’ve been treated as friends, and we reciprocate. At the end of our lunch, many thanks are given. Hugs and kisses are offered and received. As our bus pulls away from Shabla, our Bulgarian family is waving, and so are we.

Eric Brindle, Univ. of Pittsburgh (Jeep Safari in Rural Bulgaria)
First experience studying abroad. I went on the Jeep Safari tour and that was a lot of fun. I’m not sure where we were, but it was this wooded area with a bunch of open fields. I thought Bulgaria was nice, I really liked it there. It was kind of more laid back than the other countries we’ve visited and I kind of enjoyed that part.