Allie Hubers Ten years ago, I embarked on a journey that would change my life forever.
In September 2015, I boarded a floating campus to sail around the world with Semester at Sea. Now, after experiencing 51 cruises, I can confidently say that nothing compares to those 100 days at sea.
More than just a voyage, Semester at Sea was an immersive educational experience that shaped my worldview, fostered lifelong friendships, and set me on a path I never expected.
Despite its reputation as an expensive “booze cruise” for college students, my experience with Semester at Sea was far from a party at sea. The program brings together students and faculty from around the world, providing a unique opportunity for cultural immersion, academic excellence, and personal growth.
Here’s how Semester at Sea changed my life, and why it’s so much more than just a floating party.
Academics are serious
Some students might have expected coursework to be a joke, but Semester at Sea held high academic standards.
I was one of only 30 students to complete the semester with honors, which required maintaining a 4.0 GPA during the semester. In fact, only 5% of students were awarded honor roll at the end of the voyage.
Semester at Sea operates on its own calendar depending on whether the ship is in port or at sea. While at sea, you are expected to attend classes full-time. Free time is allocated for port days, meaning you can spend multiple days exploring different countries without worrying about schoolwork.
Once you’re back onboard the MV World Odyssey, you are expected to be productive with schoolwork by attending classes, studying for exams, working on essays, and completing homework.
For our schedule, the beginning of the semester was port-heavy with less academic work. By the end of the semester, we had upwards of 10 to 12 days of school while crossing the Atlantic.
The curriculum was rigorous, and professors challenged us to apply our classroom knowledge to the real-world experiences we encountered in port.
Semester at Sea is not just for rich kids
With its high price tag, many assume Semester at Sea is only accessible to wealthy students, but that’s not the case. Many students, including myself, were able to attend through scholarships and financial aid.
I funded my experience through my dad’s GI Bill from his military service, along with scholarships from my home university. Our home university provided equivocal scholarships to encourage students to study abroad.
In this way, I received the same scholarship amount for Semester at Sea that I would have received if I had stayed on campus. In the end, the tuition was the same for Semester at Sea that I was already paying to attend my home university.
Other students transferred to a community college for the semester to lower the cost. Of course, this doesn’t mean it was a cheap semester. Many students made financial sacrifices to attend the program, with some taking out additional student loans to fund their semester abroad.
The program actively seeks to provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, making this transformational journey more accessible than people realize.
Disconnecting was freeing
Even a decade ago, we were glued to our phones in daily life. But aboard the MV World Odyssey, internet access was virtually nonexistent, aside from a daily email check. We only had access to a few sites while at sea to complete homework, but nothing else.
At first, the idea of disconnecting from social media and constant online communication seemed daunting. However, it quickly became one of the most liberating aspects of the journey.
Without the distraction of the internet, we were fully present in each moment, whether it was deep conversations on the ship, exploring new cultures in port, or simply staring at the endless horizon.
I watched many sunsets at sea, taking in the warm ocean breeze with my friends. Being in the present was one of the most beautiful aspects of Semester at Sea.
Friendships are lifelong
Spending 100 days at sea with limited outside distractions fosters deep, lasting connections. The friendships I made on Semester at Sea remain some of my closest relationships to this day.
From traveling together in new countries or embracing the shipboard life aboard our vessel, lasting friendships are easy to form.
This year, I attended the weddings of two of my best friends from the program—the same friends who stood by my side at my own wedding in 2018.
The bonds formed in those months aboard the MV World Odyssey are unlike any other, creating friendships that truly stand the test of time.
Semester at Sea pushed me beyond my comfort zone
Before Semester at Sea, I never imagined traveling to off-the-beaten path destinations like Senegal or Morocco. The journey challenged me to embrace the unfamiliar, pushing me beyond my comfort zone in ways I never expected.
Whether it was trying new foods, learning from locals, or navigating unfamiliar cities, I gained a new perspective on the world.
In addition, I found myself adapting more easily to unexpected changes and challenges. For instance, a last-minute itinerary change that replaced a visit to Turkey with a stay in Croatia was unplanned. This ended up being one of my favorite destinations during the voyage, and Croatia continues to be one of my favorite countries in the world!
My experience with Semester at Sea made the world feel smaller and more interconnected, changing the way I viewed travel and global cultures.
Inspired by my experience, I’ve continued to travel extensively in the last 10 years after Semester at Sea. I’ve visited 64 countries and sailed on 51 cruises to date!
Career inspiration
Semester at Sea allows students of all majors to participate in the program. There is a wide range of courses available onboard, including business, art, history, religion, communication, and more.
As an actuarial science major, I strategically planned to focus on general courses that semester, enrolling in macroeconomics, music, world religion, and history.
Before Semester at Sea, I had never considered pursuing a career that involved travel writing. But during Semester at Sea, I started a blog to document my experiences for family and friends. What began as a personal project turned into a passion, eventually leading me to become a freelance travel writer.
Years later, I even pursued my master’s degree with the hopes of returning to Semester at Sea as an adjunct instructor or staff member someday. The program not only broadened my academic horizons but also opened doors to opportunities I never imagined.
Semester at Sea was so much more than a college semester
Semester at Sea was the most transformative experience of my life.
From the rigorous academics and cultural immersion to the lifelong friendships and unexpected career path it inspired, the journey shaped who I am today. A decade later, I still reflect on the lessons learned and the memories made during those 100 days at sea.
For anyone considering Semester at Sea, know that it’s far from just a party at sea. It’s an experience that will challenge, inspire, and change you in ways you never expected.
