Meg's Semester at Sea!

A Semester at Sea!

     I always knew I wanted to go abroad. However, my constant struggle was the deep need to see multiple parts of the world to fully experience traveling outside of the U.S. When I heard about Semester at Sea I submitted my application within minutes. Instantly, I knew it would be the one program that would push me and challenge me the most.

     SAS is an international floating university and currently home to 500 students from around the world. Our time at sea, in between ports, is spent taking classes, so one can imagine how the concept of a day is immeasurable on the ship. The only form of communication aboard the ship is “seamail.” Although, the lack of service quickly bonded the community and made for genuine friendships. I made amazing memories with more than amazing people filling our free time with playing cards, making mega beds in my friends' cabins, and watching movies all night. 
      Once we dock in any of the 11 countries we visit, we have complete freedom to go and do as we please. We can take a flight, catch a ferry, live with a native family, or even skydive! Having this freedom has not only forced me to become travel savvy but has also given me the chance to grow independently as a person. 

Setting Sail! 

     I began this adventure in the Chicago O’Hare airport where I met my two roommates, Sarah and Kate. We then flew to London and spent three days in Germany where the ship was docked. Then, the craziness began. I have visited Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Senegal, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, through the Panama Canal, Peru and Ecuador. Costa Rica is the last port left on the itinerary. Afterwards, we sail to California and I will hop on a quick flight to make it home in time for Christmas Eve.

A typical day on SAS starts with breakfast with all of my best friends. The staff and teachers are incredible. It's impossible to wake up in a bad mood here knowing how happy everyone is around me. After breakfast the entire ship congregates in a beautiful theater with massive open windows. It is uncommon to go through a class session without seeing dolphins, whales or sharks. I wear my bathing suit to class everyday and afterwards, I head up to the top deck with my journal and a book spending hours with my friends, swimming in the rooftop pool, playing basketball and volleyball, and getting homemade smoothies at the pool bar. Typically, I workout and do some yoga on the back deck during sunset. Then I eat dinner outside with friends and end each night by grabbing tons of pillows and blankets and laying outside watching the stars. 

Beginning the semester in Greece, I spent the first day in Athens and got to see the Parthenon, run a lap around the stadium where the first Olympic games were held, and visit Zeus’ temple. Next stop was Santorini, an incredible island where I spent one of my favorite days cliff jumping. I also got a fish pedicure and forced the boys staying with us to get them, too, which they hated. 

Next up, Italy! After taking about 32 different trains, I can confidently say I can successfully manage getting on any train line in the world. The majority of my time was spent in Florence and from Florence I traveled to Cinque Terre. It was truly postcard beautiful as I spent most of my time here adventuring beautiful markets and historic museums.  

                   

My absolutely favorite place to explore was Africa. In Morocco I did a camel trek through the Sahara Desert with my best friend Nick who is from Australia. We spent three days and two nights sleeping in the desert under the stars and waking up at 4 a.m. to watch the most incredible sunrises I have ever seen in my entire life. We rode 4 wheelers throughout abandoned cities and interacted with the locals. I visited the Medina market in Marrakech and saw snake charmers and held monkeys. In Senegal I had the opportunity to attend a naming ceremony in the village of Bonobo. Afterwards, we played in the village with all of the kids having dance parties. To conclude the evening, Chief Ousmane Sow gave each of us a traditional African name. Mine was Cor Siga, and that day will always hold a special weight in my heart.

    

                                     

Sailing on to South America! My favorite moment in Brazil was hiking to the Christ the Redeemer Statue and eating my weight in acai bowls. In Trinidad and Tobago, I spent ample time on the beach with 500 of my classmates and friends. The ship also sailed through the Panama Canal, and I can now proudly say that I am part of the .01% of the world that travels through the canal. My parents met me at the airport in Peru, and we spent our time in Cusco and Agua Caliente. We visited Machu Picchu and hiked up the Incan Train to the apex of the mountain Waynapicchu.

The Adventure of a Lifetime! 

The ship is currently sailing to Costa Rica to conclude this incredible voyage. Eleven countries, four continents, and a lifetime of memories I now have all because of Semester at Sea. I can confidently say Semester at Sea has changed my entire life in such amazingly indescribable ways. I have met some really special people and have taken much of my experience to heart. I now have a clearer vision of where I want my Journalism degree with an emphasis area in Strategic Communication at the University of Missouri to take me. My dream job is to work for the company, Leo Burnett in Chicago. 
     My biggest piece of advice to anyone is to get out into the world. I have been taught that everything derives from confidence. Traveling as much as I have these past few months has taught me things will go wrong. Lots of things. However, that is the beauty of being abroad. Make life a culmination of all things you are interested in and never limit yourself. Everything you achieve comes from how hard you work. Envision yourself being something and then achieve that vision. 
Don’t idealize. Just be present.
Everything is attainable. So go!