Andrea Salinas: Semester at Sea- Spring ‘19
I have always had a thirst for knowledge through experience and when I found out about Semester at Sea, I knew I had to be a part of it. Studying on a ship was the best decision I made because I truly felt as though the World became my classroom. At no other time in my life would I be able to travel to 12 different countries all while receiving an amazing education and gaining a global perspective. Classes were held only when we were sailing the sea, once we got to port the entire country became free reign for us to explore. Prior to arriving on land, we would be taught everything we needed to know about the country we were about to embark on. The topics of discussion included: political conflict, appropriate attire, language barriers, and economic position.
Ports- We stopped in Hawaii, Japan, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, and Morocco
Traveling independently through foreign, and mostly developing, countries had many challenges as you might predict. In fact, I almost got stuck in Vietnam, and if I had, the ship would have left without me! The reason for this was a travel error on my part.
By the end of the trip I had made the friends of a life time- each of us experienced more than most people do in their entire lives. The global perspective we have gained through our mutual experience will keep us forever bonded. I am so grateful to have such a different view on the world.
