Finally! My luggage is zipped and ready to go with 9 more hours left in America. It seems like I’m finishing a marathon, but really I’m just beginning one... A marathon that will take me around the world and back in under 4 months! I’ve been waiting for as long as I can remember to embark on my Semester at Sea voyage after a lifetime of hearing my mom’s fantastic memories of her own SAS voyage in Fall 1980. So now, as it is my turn to set sail, I want to thank you, Mom, for giving me the world and supporting me the whole way.
Over the next four months I will be visiting Hawaii, Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, Brazil, and Florida before returning to sunny San Diego. I am not sure what to expect really. I know the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat and Table Mountain will be a few of the sites on my list, but what I’m most excited for are the people and cultures that I will encounter on my journeys to these world landmarks. I can’t wait to see the local markets, taste traditional food, and see how people interact. I am even excited for the classes I will be taking aboard the ship: Investing in a Sustainable Community, Global Citizenship, Intercultural Communication, and Global Studies. Each will give me a different perspective on my experience and hopefully teach me a thing or two about international business.
My mom has told me many times, “You can’t truly know your own American-ness, until you have the opportunity to view your culture from the outside in.” Consequently, one question that I consider with each international trip I take is, “How do people view America and Americans?” I am most interested in comparing my experiences between countries in relation to this question over the course of this semester. What do they know of our lifestyle? What do they think of our President? How do they react to me as an American? Hopefully this semester I will gain new answers to these questions and redefine what it means to be American today.
For now, I can only promise to write as often as I can. I don’t know what that means yet but check back in soon! Bookmark this page and keep track of me as I experience the world and feel free to forward it on to anyone that may be interested.
To get more details on each of the ports I will be visiting, click on the map at the top of the page. You can also visit semesteratsea.org for more information on the program.
See you all in May!
Adios,
Hillary
Sunday, January 17, 2010
BON VOYAGE!
Finally! My luggage is zipped and ready to go with 9 more hours left in America. It seems like I’m finishing a marathon, but really I’m just beginning one... A marathon that will take me around the world and back in under 4 months! I’ve been waiting for as long as I can remember to embark on my Semester at Sea voyage after a lifetime of hearing my mom’s fantastic memories of her own SAS voyage in Fall 1980. So now, as it is my turn to set sail, I want to thank you, Mom, for giving me the world and supporting me the whole way.
Over the next four months I will be visiting Hawaii, Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, Brazil, and Florida before returning to sunny San Diego. I am not sure what to expect really. I know the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat and Table Mountain will be a few of the sites on my list, but what I’m most excited for are the people and cultures that I will encounter on my journeys to these world landmarks. I can’t wait to see the local markets, taste traditional food, and see how people interact. I am even excited for the classes I will be taking aboard the ship: Investing in a Sustainable Community, Global Citizenship, Intercultural Communication, and Global Studies. Each will give me a different perspective on my experience and hopefully teach me a thing or two about international business.
My mom has told me many times, “You can’t truly know your own American-ness, until you have the opportunity to view your culture from the outside in.” Consequently, one question that I consider with each international trip I take is, “How do people view America and Americans?” I am most interested in comparing my experiences between countries in relation to this question over the course of this semester. What do they know of our lifestyle? What do they think of our President? How do they react to me as an American? Hopefully this semester I will gain new answers to these questions and redefine what it means to be American today.
For now, I can only promise to write as often as I can. I don’t know what that means yet but check back in soon! Bookmark this page and keep track of me as I experience the world and feel free to forward it on to anyone that may be interested.
To get more details on each of the ports I will be visiting, click on the map at the top of the page. You can also visit semesteratsea.org for more information on the program.
See you all in May!
Adios,
Hillary
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I will check your site every morning hoping to read a new adventure! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! I can remember Jennifer coming home from SAS with a totally different outlook of the world. I mean, she was still my sister but her amazing stories and level of worldly awareness blew me away. She wants the same for you. Bon Voyage! Much love and we are so excited for what awaits you! AuntyBeth.xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteSo, where are you really???
ReplyDeleteI'll bet on the beach in Cabo sipping margaritas.
Dep