Welcome to the MV Explorer, where as many days are spent learning in the classroom as they are spent traveling the world. An abroad program that is over 50 years old, Semester at Sea is a four-month long trip that is unlike any other. Traveling from San Diego to London, the ship docks in 12 different countries, allowing the students, faculty and lifelong learners on board to visit over 15 cities that enhance the onboard curriculum via independent travel and class facilitated trips called field labs.
“Between my own travels and the upcoming labs that I have for my classes in the countries themselves, I am excited to take a step back and think about my experiences in a different way,” UW-Madison junior Bryana Ostroff said of the system. “I can’t wait to go into a country and have an opportunity that I wouldn’t have had otherwise, simply because my class set it up for me. Or even just to go in and know that I should be thinking through a sociological lens for my class about food. I really think that is something that makes this program so life changing.”
Students come to Semester at Sea from all over the world, joining together to form a “living, learning community” of over 1,000 people. Teachers and faculty plan lessons and nightly seminars to coincide with each new travel location, giving everyone on board a more well-rounded idea of the world and what it has to offer.
Classes on the ship are fairly unusual compared to traditional school, occurring every day that students are not traveling in a country. Dates and days of the week are traded in for A days and B days, as students adapt to the new, yet necessary system.
“The faculty and staff have experience in other countries,” said Dean of Student Life, Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo. “I think that brings a richness to the shipboard community.”
From country profiles to the status of women in third world countries, there is something for everyone to learn and do, expanding their understanding of the world. After a busy night early on in the trip when voyagers announced and signed up for clubs, countless more activities were added to the repertoire of activities that the spring 2015 voyage now offers. Students, family members of teachers, lifelong learners and faculty can participate in various fitness sessions, religious meetings, game playing and more.
“I thought the activities fair was just electric,” said Bardill Moscaritolo of the over 50 clubs that were presented. “It was just amazing to see how many people and interests there were. I think that’s what makes Semester at Sea so special -- that people want to give more to the community and want to be part of a strong one.”
The system is indicative of the motto of the ship: “Ubuntu,” a South African word that can be roughly translated to mean, “I am who I am because of who we are,.” Ubuntu embodies the concept of humanity and was explained to the newest shipboard community during orientation. Semester at Sea was designed to allow for students to support and learn from one another, a concept that classmates were connecting with early on.
When I was meeting people the first few days, I felt this connection that was really unique. Being able to talk to someone one on one, without the conversation being mediated by any form of phone use was huge,” said University of Florida student Carly Feldman. “I knew Semester at Sea was going to be amazing, but the friends that I have because of it and the time I’ve spent with them has really sealed the deal for me.”
