A Tender Adventure in Varna

A number of students, faculty and staff had a rocky start to the first day of Semester at Sea’s stop in Bulgaria. The ship dropped anchor off the shore for the first few hours after arriving in Varna, Bulgaria, and passengers were tendered between ship and shore. Waters were a bit choppy and one tendering effort back to the ship provided an adventure for a few voyagers. One to two-meter tall waves rocked not only the tender, but the ship as well and turned a norm 20-minute tender and boarding experience into a 90-minute ordeal. In the end, the ship’s crackerjack crew prevailed and as has been the norm on the MV Explorer, everyone boarded safely even if a bit greener in complexion. Click on the short slideshow below to see the full effect of the crew’s efforts and the passengers’ adventure.

Semester at Sea Changed Her Life

For Semester at Sea’s first-ever trip to Bulgaria, alumna Kelly Adams-Smith visited the ship addressing the voyage community as its diplomatic lecturer for Bulgaria.

Adams-Smith, who is the economic and political deputy counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, credits her time on Semester at Sea with putting her on the path toward her work in the foreign service.

“Semester at Sea changed the course and direction of my life," she told gathered students and faculty before a talk about Bulgaria. My life is what it is now because of my experience on Semester at Sea.”

Adams-Smith has worked for the state department for 12 years serving in Washington, Moscow, Estonia and now in Bulgaria. She majored in Russian in college and then Russian and East European studies in graduate school because of her SAS experience.

Following her talk on Bulgaria, Adams-Smith spent more than an hour meeting in small groups with students interested in foreign service work, attending an SAS-organized tour on human-trafficking with students, and dining with them on the ship.

“She is a real inspiration and I got so much from hearing her speak about her career,” one student said.

Hear more about Adams-Smith’s life-changing experience on her Fall 1988 voyage on Semester at Sea’s YouTube Channel. Just click on either of the photos to get to the website.

Experience a Sufi Dervish Performance

Be sure to visit the Semester at Sea YouTube Channel to watch an interesting video of the students' visit to the Sufi Dervish ceremony in Istanbul.

Discovery the origin of "whirling dervish" (it's not just a frantic student running in five different directions) and watch this fascinating religious and spiritual ceremonial dance.

Just click on the image to find your way to the website.

Istanbul-A City of Many Stories

Istanbul is a collage of cultures and religion—current and past. Its 15th century fortresses sit astride modern, boxy apartment buildings and roadways. Ruins from BC times are fenced off from the swirl of a busy street. It transports you to ancient times. And then, in an instant, a merchant snaps you back to reality as he gestures for you to come to his stall, check out his merchandise or his menu. It is an in-your-face culture that makes the hustle and bustle of New York City look laid back. But that is just a part of Turkey as Semester at Sea students discovered.

The other part is the rural, quieter areas that are introduced by fields of sunflowers. There are the rocky masses of Cappadocia (pronounced CAP-A-DOCH-EE-A) that make you feel like you’ve landed on another planet. There are the ruins of Troy. For some students, Istanbul, specifically, and Turkey, in general, was a bit of a culture shock, especially being from a western, predominantly Christian country and going to a Muslim country. For others, it was by far the best experience they’ve had on Semester at Sea.

Click on the short video at the end to view some of the images of Turkey and Istanbul and read the students’ thoughts on their five-day stay in the country. (Don't forget to check the Semester at Sea website for the official audio slideshow on Turkey.)

Lucas Firmino, Daniel Webster College
Istanbul is definitely different than I thought it would be. A lot of my preconceptions were dashed and I learned more about what the country really is. I thought that as a predominantly Muslim country that’s the way the government would work, but it’s not. It’s a more secular government, more like the U.S. I was surprised that people didn’t dress the way you thought they would dress and there are few people who actually wear the full Muslim dress. So, I’ve learned quite a bit from being around the people.

Emily Bialas, Univ. of Pittsburgh
Istanbul has been a big culture shock for me. I didn’t realize how large the Muslim community was here. I heard that there are 3,000 mosques, just in Istanbul. And the call to prayer was very strange and surprising to me. It was good to also leave Istanbul and visit Troy to see rural parts of Turkey. I learned that Turkey is a very independent, self-sufficient country agriculturally. Plus, being in Gallipoli and seeing all the letters from soldiers and their families was very moving.

Sarah Shepherd, Bowling Green State University
Istanbul is probably my favorite port. The people were just so friendly here and more than willing to speak slow since we don’t understand the language and show you where you need to go. I’ve even had people ask me “Do you need a tour guide? I’ll be your tour guide for the day. I’ll even take off work and show you around the city. It’s a beautiful city; I want to share that experience with you.” That’s just amazing to experience—that there are people here who just want you to experience a city they love so much. It just fascinated and thrilled me to see that.

Ana Alexandrescu, Lehigh University
We went to a sustainable car-free day in Istanbul on the second day we were in port and talked with residents and sat down and painted with children. People in the neighborhood brought out their version of doughnuts, a big bowl of them, and they said “Help yourself, you are our guests.” That was amazing. Another person we met the day before told us about a football [soccer] game to go to, where to buy the tickets, and how to get there. So, we ended up going to a football game, chanting the Turkish cheers and just being a part of the crowd, which was another amazing experience.

Eric Paulino, Sarah Lawrence College
I love Turkey. It is my favorite place so far. I really have fallen in love with Istanbul and the people here. I thought when the noon prayer was announced that people were going to stop—that the taxi drivers were going to get out of their cars, get down on the hot ground and pray to mecca. And I was like ‘How ignorant of me’ because life goes on. People pray when they can, just as we do in America. Going to a mosque for the first time and seeing how peaceful the call to prayer was and watching people march in and quietly pray, it was one of the best things I’ve ever seen.

Sarah Cogdill, Univ. of North Texas
I went on a university tour that had SAS students meet Turkish college students. I really enjoyed meeting with students one on one and learning about how they live and their life in college. The best part about being in Turkey for me was the interactions with people because they were so hospitable and friendly. They had a real curiousity for who we are and where we’re from and they wanted to share their city with us. I didn’t have any expectations of Istanbul and it’s exceeded any expectations that I could have had.

Mid-Voyage Reflections

Just a little over a month ago, the MV Explorer departed Halifax, Canada for a 67-day voyage that would be a trip of lifetime for many of its students. In just one month’s time, the students have formed strong friendships, tried unique foods, challenged their peers, and pushed themselves to move beyond being tourists to become travelers in the countries that Semester at Sea has visited thus far.

They have learned that time is warped on the ship. There are no weekends, or days of the week for that matter. Instead, the days are tracked by whether we are at sea or at port and how much time is in between. In the end, few students are happy about this experience ending. But most agree that they won’t forget it anytime soon. Read on to learn some of the students’ thoughts at the halfway point of this journey.

GRACE OBANDO
It's difficult to come to terms with our voyage already reaching its halfway point. My global perspective has expanded beyond what I could have imagined. The people I’ve met on the ship, as well as in each port, have shared their lives with me, creating a world that you can't even read about in books. Semester at Sea has provided me the opportunity to challenge my own thoughts and perceptions within these countries. I am anxious to see what these next few countries have in store. I know they will bring excitement and fun.


JESSICA BINGHAM
Many of my learning experiences have come from just being on this ship. I have struggled with understanding some students who, despite living in the same country, have perspectives vastly different than my own. I’ve learned that it is not simply a language or a government that shapes our vision of the world, but also our socio-economic class, family, and other experiences. …I think one of the most wonderful things about this program is that it enables students to transcend notions of class or culture and decide for themselves what a culture is really like.

SAMANTHA SNELLING
To think that I got on this ship just one month ago blows me away. Already, I have created memories that will last me a lifetime. I can’t believe I have been to Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey! I’ve learned so much and have become so thankful for things that I left behind in Colorado. I am now, more then ever, proud to be an American, but willing to accept others and where they come from. After being a "foreigner" and always asking people questions and directions I promised myself that I will always take time to help someone who is lost or needs help in Colorado. I’ve learned a lot about myself on this trip and I know I still have much more to learn. I can not wait to see what the future holds.

RUDY SHAFFER
There is so much to absorb on Semester at Sea and, as we get further along in our trip, it just gets better and I learn more and more. The faculty, students, and lifelong learners have become my shipboard “family” from which I thrive and learn. The friendships and connections I’ve made aboard the MV Explorer are relationships I will have forever. The diversity, conversations, opinions, backgrounds, personalities and class discussions make this trip a much richer experience and would have been impossible to have if I traveled alone.

Each port has been so distinctly different and the interactions I’ve had with local people in these countries have been invaluable. We’ve coined the phrase, "try everything" and doing so gives us a taste of each country and a plan to return in the future. I’ve seen so many amazing places and I can't wait for what is in store in the next four weeks. This has truly been an experience of a lifetime!

JENNIFER PAIGE
I am truly blessed to have found such a program at such an influential stage in my life. The experiences I am gaining here have already begun to modify my views and behaviors. I have really enjoyed having conversations with locals, learning phrases in other languages, trying new foods such as bull cheek, and viewing historical sites such as the Acropolis. As a future physician, I have experienced how it feels to have a different cultural background, behaviors and language from others. Therefore, I will be more sensitive and understanding with patients. This voyage has made me bolder, more inquisitive, and has helped me to move out of my comfort zone more easily. I don’t think anyone can think of a better way for a student to spend a summer.

JENNY BOUATAY
It boggles my mind that it has been a month since I started this journey. I feel like I have grown so much in that short amount of time. The experiences I’ve had thus far will forever be kept close and dear to my heart. Semester at Sea has given me the wonderful opportunity to expand my horizons and see the world in a different perspective. Not only did it give me the chance to learn about the world, but also about myself.

TIMOTHY JONES II
Semester at Sea has been both a rewarding and a complicated experience. It is rewarding, clearly, for the opportunity to visit, explore and experience so many different countries and their cultures. It is complicated—and equally challenging—as an African-American man to realize how much people from my own country still have to learn about people of other ethnicities and races. As much as we as Americans are ignorant about other cultures, people, and religions of the countries we are visiting, so too are some of my fellow voyagers ignorant about other aspects of people in the U.S. who are different from them. But I have learned from some faculty and staff that this voyage is not about us vs. them. Instead, it’s about coming together to see the world beyond statistics and what we read in textbooks. It is about putting faces, stories, experiences, and fears into perspective and, as a shipboard community, opening our minds to educate ourselves and our peers to look beyond stereotypes and preconceptions and to truly learn about a person, a culture, a city, a country. Doing so requires a greater sense of compassion and responsibility. Dr. Martin Luther King said “We have flown the air like birds, and swam the sea like fish, but yet have we learned the simple art of walking together as brother [and sister]?” For me, the lesson on this voyage is that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

TRIANA FRANCOIS
Semester at Sea thus far has been an array of experiences. The MV Explorer and the Institution for Shipboard Education teaches me lifelong lessons every second. Analyzing our summer voyage theme, Human Rights and Social Justice in the Mediterranean World, and being from a diverse background, I find lessons that relate to the theme right here on the ship. A month into this voyage I am trying to figure out what I can do in this world so that my experiences don’t start and end on this ship. I hope the ports I am visiting are just stepping stones to push me towards bigger issues at hand. I certainly have realized that being true to myself and honest is the best way to start and finish my journey.

ANA ALEXANDRESCU
Being from Romania, I technically know of all these places and have been to a few of them, for instance Greece and Turkey. But it’s a totally different experience. For, Spain, Italy and Croatia, I only read about them, so actually to go and visit was just amazing. And I’ve met some really wonderful people. We’ve had a lot of great moments and a lot of great experiences. And, I feel that, we’ve grown to be more of travelers, less of tourists. I’ve met people on this ship who share my interests and with whom traveling is a great experience.

SHANI GRAVES
So far this experience has been cool. I didn’t expect the program to be as diverse as it is, which is nice, but I also wish it could be even more diverse with people from so many different backgrounds. But I’ve also met some really cool people. There are four of us who travel together and call ourselves “the quad”. Each week is a year on the ship and I tell them I feel like I’ve known them for five years. …I’m enjoying my classes so far. And, the crew of the ship are phenomenal and absolutely amazing.

SARAH SHEPHERD
Time wise I feel like I’ve been on this ship for years, but that’s a good thing. I’m sad that we’re halfway through and we have only a few more ports and I’m going to have to go back home and go back to reality. ….On this voyage, the days don’t mean anything anymore. I keep track by time and days according to the countries we are visiting and when we’re at sea. The only time I need to know is when lunch is and when dinner is to make sure I don’t miss it when we’re in port so I don’t have to go and pay for it..

MATTHEW POLLINGER
Whenever you go off the ship, even if you run into people you’re not personal friends with but you know they’re SAS people, there’s a comfort. Everyone is friendly to one another and willing to help each other out, even if you’re not on a first-name basis. Just in the Grand Bazaar [in Istanbul], I was there by myself one day and I ran into a number of SAS people and they were happy to see me. …You never feel like you’re alone even if you’re in a big city.

LUCAS FIRMINO
The ship definitely feels like home. I went on an overnight trip recently and when I came back it just felt like I was home again. And it’s a really weird feeling; I don’t know what it’s going to be like when I get back to my actual house. The MV Explorer is a place where I can come back and see my friends. It’s a really good community.

ELISSA GREENE
I can’t believe it’s the half-way point already. A couple of days ago I was looking back on the first day and I thought it’s been a month. It’s almost like I have a second family here. I love it.

EMILY BIALAS
I noticed the other day that I’m crossing days off my calendar and it’s halfway gone. I still can’t believe that we’re on this trip. It’s a bittersweet time for me. I miss my family so much and so I’m excited to be going back to see them, but at the same time I don’t want this to be over. I know I’m going to be so sad on the last day. But it’s really neat, actually, realizing how many people I’ve met. I’ve watched all the slideshows about the voyage [on the SAS website] online and going through them I realize I know so many people now. So you can definitely tell that we’ve been on here for a long time, because the community does get stronger I think.

ERIC PAULINO
I do think it’s a great opportunity for me as an America students to come into a country and be a part of it—albeit for four or five days—and experience something that’s different than my rushed New York life. So, for me, the most rewarding part is how I’ve challenged my own biases and prejudices. Even though I consider myself so progressive, I realize through this experience that I do have biases and prejudices. And, I’m learning so much in each country every day.

NHESTY ONG
It’s hard to imagine that we’ve been here for a month already, going around the world. I’m having a blast. The stuff that I’ve learned, people who I’ve met--this is be one of the most important moments of my life. At this point of my life, this is one of the most significant experiences, so I’m really grateful to have had this opportunity. When I go home to Taiwan or the Philippines, I definitely want to do something for people and for social justice. This voyage has really opened my perspective.

SARAH COGDILL
I don’t like to think about this being over. My transitional period when I get home is going to be tough for me because I’ve been looking forward to doing this program and this voyage for so long. But then, I’ve made friends in each country who tell me I can come visit them whenever, so I know I’ll be back to probably everywhere. Still, I’m avoiding that thought of this ending. I’m having more fun than I could have ever imagined.

NY Times Reporter Sails with SAS

New York Times national correspondent Randy Archibold has joined the Semester at Sea voyage as a Special Distinguished Guest Lecturer. He joined in Greece and will be sailing for two weeks until Egypt. In that time, he is speaking to several classes about his work as a journalist, participating in a panel discussion on careers in communications, and meeting with lifelong learners and diversity scholars.

“It’s been interesting not only to visit these countries, but to speak to the students about their impressions of them,” Archibold said. “I’ve also enjoyed speaking to students about their future careers as well as answering questions about mine.”

Archibold, who is based in Los Angeles for the paper, covers Southern California and the Southwest. He has spent more than two decades in journalism working for a number of papers, including the Los Angeles Times. This is his first time on a cruise ship and sailing with Semester at Sea.

“This may be a 67-day voyage, but the experience for these students will carry on for years,” he said.

To read Archibold's stories from the NY Times, click on the link: http://tinyurl.com/rcanyt

Post-Port Reflections on Greece

Greece is a country that is full of surprises in its ancient treasures, its landscape, food and people. Semester at Sea students learned that Greece is much more than white-washed buildings with blue-domed roofs. There are islands with terrain that is reminiscent of Colorado and the drier hills of southern California. And, to stand before the Parthenon, and realize that 2,500 years ago its architects studied the human eye to better understand how to construct the building is awe inspiring. SAS students thoroughly explored the country’s numerous, and gorgeous, islands. And most were impressed by the Acropolis and ruins at Delphi. Scroll down and read their reflections on Greece. Then, visit the Semester at Sea website to view the audio slideshow.

Gian Spells, North Carolina A & T State University
My journey through Greece was a great experience. From just walking around Piraeus to visiting Delphi, Meteora and the Olympic stadium of the 2004 games, the experience was really memorable. At Delphi and Meteora we saw the ancient Greek Oracle, which is said to lie in the center of the Earth. We learned the story of the Oracle and then went on to Meteora to visit the monasteries in that area’s high mountains. The monks use ropes to pull food and other necessities up from the bottom of the mountain. We visited three of the seven monasteries, which were filled with religious symbolism, art, and history. At the Olympic stadium we visited the indoor and outdoor pools, took pictures on the winning podiums and just soaked up the experience. Greece is an incredible country; I wouldn’t think twice about coming back to visit.

Christine Sullivan, Univ. of Connecticut
I spent my time in Greece relaxing on the island of Mykonos. As expected, it was incredibly beautiful with blue Aegean waters, unique Cycladic architecture, and rocky landscapes. I enjoyed “island time” and appreciated the Greek (and overall, European) culture of relaxing and enjoying the moment—not rushing to the next appointment. It was a welcome escape and a different view of Greece.

Samantha Snelling, Colorado State University
So much of Greece reminded me of Italy, especially Piraeus, the port city, with its high-rise buildings and beautiful Greek orthodox churches on every corner. Greeks are very proud of their religion and their beautifully designed churches. I also visited the Acropolis, which was like visiting a lost world. But helping with the special event on the MV Explorer with the Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deree College students was a surprisingly great opportunity. There were multiple different press people there and they were kind of funny. I met a girl named Elenie who attended Deree and we really hit it off. She was wonderful. I am learning, on this voyage that, for the most part, the people, leaders, and faculty are so welcoming and inviting and that helps make this voyage better.