Studying Abroad with Semester at Sea Can Change Your Life
Anne Lewis
NSHSS Student Council
College of Charleston
Do
you want a life changing experience? Do you want to absorb cultures
from around the world while connecting with amazing people and learning
more about yourself? Then you might want to explore the vast array of
study abroad programs that are available. I know that researching study
abroad programs may seem like a daunting task. I chose the Semester at
Sea program because I was interested in many cultures and wanted to gain
a global perspective. I knew that these goals could be accomplished
through Semester at Sea. My journey began in fall 2008, and departed
from Nassau, Bahamas and sailed to Salvador, Brazil; Walvis Bay,
Namibia; Cape Town, South Africa; Chennai, India; Penang, Malaysia; Ho
Chi Mihn City, Vietnam; Hong Kong and Shanghai China; Kobe and Yokohama,
Japan; Hawaii, and Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Semester at Sea is a
unique study abroad program because you have the opportunity to live on
a boat that has been converted into a floating campus. It holds one
thousand passengers, and you engage in academic work when traveling
between countries. When the boat docks at a country the students can do
as they please, ranging from community service all the way to
experiencing the local nightlife. In telling you about my trip I could
share stories about horseback riding through the oldest desert in the
world in Namibia, going on a safari in South Africa, climbing the Great
Wall of China, seeing the Olympic stadium in Beijing, visiting the war
remnants museum in Vietnam, going to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, lying on
the beautiful beaches in Brazil, or relaxing in Costa Rica. But the
things that I want to share with you are even more valuable experiences
than these.
Salvador, Brazil was the
first port of call so everything in terms of traveling, friends, and the
language, Portuguese, was all new to me. I was anxious and excited to
get off the boat and roam the streets to purposefully get lost so that I
would be able to explore in order to find my way. Little did I know
this first stop in Brazil would only be the tip of the iceberg in terms
of my personal exploration.
On the ship I befriended some fellow students that would help me put my
American, naive footprints on the cobblestone streets of Salvador.
We were lucky enough to arrive on their Independence Day so we got first
hand experience of the so called “buzz” of Brazil. The people were
vibrant and the parade was colorful; it was quite a spectacle to see.
In no way did I feel like I was in America--and I liked this feeling.
Our days in Salvador seemed like they were passing by quickly when we
met a little boy that touched me in a special way. Jackson was a
street kid who had siblings that he was trying to feed and take care of.
My friend and I started talking to him and were impressed with his
English. He proceeded to tell us that he knows five languages, all from
living on the streets. All of a sudden I began to realize that my
perception of people was beginning to change. This was a child who
happened to be born in Brazil and did not have very much, but just
wanted to love and take care of his family--a trait inherent in most
people I know. My precious interactions with him, such as buying
him milk and playing catch with local produce, were unforgettable.
In meeting Jackson I knew that my Semester at Sea experience would be
much more than an academic one.
My fourth port of call,
India, transformed me in ways I did not know were possible. Getting off
the boat to the smell of India and to the poverty was overwhelming. I
was on sensory overload from seeing people drying their laundry in dirt,
living in tents. and tending babies that were malnourished.
In Chennai I participated in a Semester at Sea sponsored trip called the
"Art of Living" in which we would live in a village where we would
practice simplistic living and the idea that we are all one. Indians
believe that we are all a part of each other. Whether you were born in
the United States and became a top executive or were born an Indian
orphan, we all belong to each other; therefore, we should have
compassion for one another. This idea of 'one' still resonates with me
and has changed my perspective on people and my surroundings. It has
also inspired me to choreograph a dance piece based on this concept,
which will be performed this semester. The "Art of Living" was one of
the best experiences I had.
After the "Art of
Living" I had a couple of days to roam around India to try and engage
myself in their culture and way of living. A few friends and I decided
to go to Mother Teresa's Orphanage to lend any assistance that we
possibly could. Upon arrival we were greeted by a couple of workers who
said we could pretty much do as we pleased with the children. I was not
prepared for what I was about to see and quite frankly I do not think
anyone would have been. The orphans living conditions were unbearable,
the disturbing images still sit in my head weighing me down like an
anchor, but inspiring me at the same time to be active in my own
community. After spending time with these delicate children, I went
back to the boat and broke down. It was very hard to verbalize my
emotions.
Sharing these
experiences, your shipboard friends become your closest allies and
support system. The friendships that you make on the voyage are
invaluable and long lasting. It is so wonderful to establish such a
strong connection with people in such a short period of time.
After living on an
emotional roller coaster from the culture shock and adjusting to life
onboard, we all found ourselves ready to return to our ‘normal” lives.
However, I now find that reverse culture shock of coming back to the
states gives even the most mundane things a new meaning. When I arrived
back in the United States I took a bath and found myself mentally
struggling with it because in India we bathed with water bottles and
people did not even have clean drinking water. I was sitting in a tub
full of clean water and could not help but think, if only there was a
way I could get this water to people who desperately need it. The
veterans of Semester at Sea are all now aware of the world, and what is
happening beyond our community. These feelings motivate positive
behavior, pushing me to help people in need. I now consciously realize
how fortunate I am to be working on a higher education, so mediocrity in
my school work is unacceptable. While broadening one’s horizons may
lead to difficult and challenging moments, it is also an amazing source
of motivation to impact other people’s lives in a positive way.
Now I work for a preschool for underprivileged children, and I volunteer
at a homeless shelter. My trip taught me not to look at the people in
need any different than I look at myself. The saying treat others as
you want to be treated is so simple, yet so clear to me now.
Semester at Sea has changed my life. When people ask me ‘how was your
trip’ I am not even sure where to begin. The memories are endless and
the potential for growth is huge. I hope you all have the opportunity
to enrich your lives one day with such a transforming study abroad
experience
Please contact me if you want to further discuss Semester at Sea or any other study abroad experience.