Taylor's Semester at Sea
My Travel Story
Watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Stargazing the Mediterranean stars.
Whether I am in class, studying, or engaging in shipboard activities, I will be a few steps away from friends, the ocean, and a global perspective.
Semester at Sea is an atypical program in which college students live and take all their classes on a ship while visiting nearly a dozen countries in one semester. The ship is the most unique floating campus in the world! The seven deck, 590-foot ship is where college students learn, live, travel, and reflect on their global, study abroad experience. This program is through Colorado State University, bringing in professors from around the world that teach on this floating campus. The coursework on Semester at Sea relates to the countries on the itinerary, allowing students to have an in-depth, educational experience. The program also allows students to travel and grow with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in every port through solo traveling and field programs.
I have always been fascinated by diverse cultures from around the world. The idea of being immersed in a new country and learning about its history has always excited me. When looking into study abroad programs, Semester at Sea piqued my interest. It was unlike any other study abroad program that I have ever researched. Instead of staying in one country for a whole semester, I could visit twelve! The best part about this program is that I would be entirely cut off from the internet and sail the sea with four hundred other like-minded strangers. This program is a perfect fit for me because it provides an environment where individuals from various parts of the world can create lifelong connections. With technology out of the way, it will allow me to live in the moment and immerse myself in an environment much different from my own.
Studying abroad through Semester at Sea will allow me to gain intercultural communication skills. Whether I am in a country that speaks a completely different language or in a country that speaks the same language as me, imbedding myself in an unfamiliar environment can teach me to listen more attentively and look for interpersonal signals to build relationships.
As I become more culturally understanding of others, I can develop empathy. Traveling to foreign lands will significantly aid in understanding the social, economic, and political forces that shape other people’s lives. Visiting historical sites, walking along the countryside, and connecting with people of different cultures can all teach me empathy. After studying abroad, I can utilize empathy as a core tool in journalism.
A more heightened self-awareness can also be generated while I am studying abroad through Semester at Sea. Meeting new people while traveling to different countries may reveal to me that my point of view has some major blind spots due to a lack of knowledge and an inflated sense of self.
I deeply believe that travel makes you richer, not in your wallet, but in your intelligence and compassion. Studying abroad can expand your global interpretation of individuals, their language, and their customs. The experience surrounds you with people who might exchange information differently, which in turn makes you a better communicator. Sometimes the most powerful and long-lasting insights come through exploration. When I am in port with Semester at Sea, the world will be my classroom.
More Travel Information
Adventure Registry
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2 Large Rolling Duffel Bags
$ 78 -
Vacum Storage Bags
$ 35 -
Crossbody Travel Bag
$ 35 -
Travel Backpack
$ 35 -
Fanny Pack
$ 20 -
Packing Cubes
$ 25
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Campaign Ended
$ 0 USD
Total Donation Received-
0%
Funded -
$ 33,124 USD
Goal Amount -
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Days Left
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Cost Calculator
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Airfare/ International Flights
$ 2,000
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Books/ Text and Study Materials
$ 500
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Passport/ Visa/ Residence Permit
$ 750
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Tuition
$ 29,874
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