Semester at Sea Reflections

Semester at Sea was truly an experience of a lifetime.  During the 110 day voyage around the world I was introduced to new customs, government systems,  foods, music and people that have left a lasting impression. I embarked on this voyage sailing west around the globe visiting 10 foreign countries including Mexico, Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, and Brazil. 

Prior to each port we were briefed on the country’s leadership, history, culture,  and relations with the United States.  In fact, an entire class was dedicated to ‘Global Studies’ where we were able to discuss the context of our travels in an academic setting. World leaders and renowned cultural experts boarded our ship between ports as guest lecturers providing fascinating perspectives on current events.  Because of the shipboard classes and incredible faculty, I was able to set aside my preconceived notions and fully experience each country upon arrival. While I learned a significant amount from textbooks and classroom conversations between ports, my most valuable learning experiences came from the hands-on cultural interactions through independent travel.

In Japan, we visited six cities in the seven days we were there. Tokyo provided a drastic contrast to historic Kyoto and Hiroshima displayed the importance of world peace after being decimated by the American atomic bomb.  In China, we visited four cities including stops at the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City to name a few. This country’s communist government and homogeneous population proved to have more of an impact on me than expected and I now appreciate American diversity and liberties more than ever before.  I learned so much in South Africa and Brazil about developing economies and potential for success in the coming decades should corruption not impede the way.  We embraced each country’s culture and did our best to do as the locals do. 

Through my travels I experienced periods of unease and vulnerability between times of amazing joy. These opportunities to reach out of my comfort zone were the most positive and fulfilling moments of the trip. One day in Chennai, India sticks out as particularly gratifying. We joined a local Dalit (‘Untouchables’) Village in building a women’s center that would empower the local mothers to earn a living by learning to sew and read.  This day was so special because I worked hand-in-hand with the most destitute people of society and learned about their families, hopes, and way of living as they welcomed me into their homes.  I had many more days like this one, where I interacted with the local population and learned what it would be like to have been born in a different situation.  The classroom discussions prior to arriving in each country came to life as I listened to locals and soaked in the culture. 

This experience has made me a more informed, interested, and confident young adult.  Now that I have seen through many foreign lenses, I know what it means to be an American, privileged with the gift of education and empowered by knowledge of the world.  I would strongly encourage anyone to take the opportunity to not only go abroad, but instead to go on Semester at Sea and understand how the world itself is the best teacher.  I will carry these experiences with me for the rest of my life.