What is Semester at Sea?

Semester at Sea (SAS) was founded in 1963.  Its mission “is to educate students with the global understanding necessary to address the challenges of our interdependent world.”  This four-month voyage will take us to ten countries — Japan, China, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma), India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, and The Netherlands.  In essence, the ship is a “floating college campus” of approximately 600 students, 25 faculty, and 100 staff.  The program offers a wide range of academic fields of study. All courses are offered with a focus on comparative global education.  In addition to the traditional in-class coursework and assignments, all courses have a one-day field education component in one of the countries during the voyage.  Colorado State University is the academic partner for SAS, and course credit is transferred back to the student’s home university.

In addition to providing an outstanding academic program, SAS provides a learning community unlike any other. SAS has a full range of educational programs, academic and personal support services, and recreation activities. Students are introduced to and interact with Interport Lecturers and special guests from each country on the voyage, and these guests travel with us on a portion of the voyage. Past special guests have included Fidel Castro, Indira Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

For more information about SAS, visit their website at www.semesteratsea.org. Encourage the college students (and faculty and staff!) you know to apply for this unique and life-changing opportunity. For admission information, visit https://www.semesteratsea.org/apply/.