Semester at Sea is a program offered by the University of Virginia that allows students to study and travel the world on a ship while earning credits towards their degree. The program is open to students from any accredited institution and offers financial aid. The ship serves as a campus and guest speakers from ports of call complement onboard education.
Semester at Sea, a program offered by the Institute of Onboard Education at the University of Virginia, offers students the opportunity to spend a semester studying and traveling the world on a ship. The largest and best known Semester at Sea program is offered to undergraduate students, but there are also programs available for continuing education students and seniors, elementary school teachers and engineering students.
The Semester at Sea allows students to learn about the world’s cultures first-hand while completing courses to earn their degree. Traditional fall and spring semesters and summer semester programs are available. Students from any accredited institution are welcome, and Semester at Sea can accommodate students from any major course. Financial aid can be used towards tuition and credits are transferable to the student’s home institution. About 600 students participate in each trip.
Semester at Sea began in 1963 as World Campus Afloat and changed to its current name 14 years later. He has had many different sponsoring institutions over the years, including the University of Colorado and the University of Pittsburgh; the University of Virginia took over in 2006. The spring and fall sea semester voyages circumnavigate the globe, from Florida, San Diego or the Caribbean to the west coast of North America or in the opposite direction. There are ports of call in Asia, Africa and South America, and some voyages sail through the Suez Canal. The summer semester at sea focuses on smaller areas of the world.
In the Semester at Sea program, the ship serves as a campus where traditional classes are taught, while the various destinations offer a more unusual hands-on learning experience. Students generally have a variety of program options at each location the ship visits. Guest speakers from ports of call complement students’ onboard education. Some notable speakers who have visited Semester at Sea in the past include Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Mother Teresa, South African President Nelson Mandela and Cuban President Fidel Castro.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
