Diversity Peer Mentor Program

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While I was on SAS, I promised myself that I’d say “yes” to as many new things as possible. The strategy was DEFINITELY a lot of work, but by the end I’d met as many people in one semester on the MV World Odyssey as I had in 2 prior years at college!!!

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Hi everyone! My name is Nuru Kibare, and I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I sailed in the fall of 2024 as a sophomore on Voyage 134 and received multiple scholarships that made this voyage possible for me. While on board, I was a student assistant for the communications team, capturing unforgettable moments while embracing the world as my classroom! I was also very involved on our floating campus: a student fellow for the minority student union, participating in “black global studies,” an identity-based post-port reflection group after each country; I also had the privilege to serve as the social creative lead/videographer for the Red Sea (aka the best sea), and was a Sea Olympics facilitator, bible study club and portfolio club member! I’m excited to support and connect with prospective voyagers of diverse backgrounds/needs. From scholarship resources to community-building tips, I hope I can help you make the most of your voyage! I can’t wait to meet you all and share the resources that made this incredible journey of a lifetime a reality for me 🙂

Let’s Talk About:
Community on SAS
Food Restrictions on SAS
Being a STEM major on SAS
Non-affiliated/partnered school application process for SAS

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Hi, I’m Dorcas Shibhwaya, an educator, mentor, and community advocate from Kenya. I have a strong background in education and social impact, having worked as a teacher at the Joey Shepherd Red Rhino Resource Center, an enumerator for vulnerable families in Kibera with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and a mentor at Carolina for Kibera. Through these roles, I have been deeply involved in supporting underserved communities, fostering educational access, and empowering young people.

As a Semester at Sea Diversity Peer Mentor, I am passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive environment where students from all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and valued. I believe that mentorship and open dialogue are powerful tools for fostering cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship.

Beyond my work in education and mentorship, I  enjoy engaging in community service, exploring new perspectives through travel and storytelling, and learning about innovative approaches to education. I am excited to connect with fellow voyagers and contribute to a transformative Semester at Sea experience.

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I sailed in the Fall of 2022 as a Tutu Ubuntu Scholar while completing my BA (Hons) in Global Challenges. From climbing dunes in Wadi Rum, to navigating Mumbai and much more, SAS broadened my worldview and I love helping new SASers navigate their voyages!

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Coming from a low-income, family, Semester at Sea seemed impossible. Yet through two years of determination, I made it happen. Visiting 11 ports led to profound growth, self-discovery, and lifelong friendships. It has been the best decision I ever made.

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During my time on SAS 133, I embraced the opportunity to inspire other Latino students onboard by starting the Hispanic Community Club. As a low-income, Latino UCLA transfer student, my goal is to create a space that values diversity in global education.

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Hi, My name is Matti! I am an international student from Canada. While on board, I worked as a Student Assistant for Student Life and was awarded several scholarships. While on board, I also received academic accommodations for my Learning Disability.

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I’m a junior at St. John’s College and a Davis UWC Scholar from Russia. Semester at Sea helped me explore my Eastern European, Slavic, and Eastern Orthodox identity in a global context. It’s a transformative experience I’d love to help you prepare for!

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My name is Kendelle and I was a voyager on 133 in spring of 2024! I had the most amazing time on Semester at Sea and have tons of tips about ship life, traveling in country and solo traveling after to help everyone have the same great experience I did!

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Hi, I’m Silvia, an economics major from Chile. Semester at Sea was life-changing, helping me connect with new cultures and embrace my identity. As someone from a developing country, I found a supportive community on board in an empowering journey!

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Mixed-race postgrad student Talon (African-American, Jewish, Native American) joined the Spring 2022 voyage solo, financing it himself. His outgoing personality and efforts to connect with shipmates led to his feature on The College Tour’s SAS episode.

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Marley sailed on the spring 2024 voyage with Semester at Sea and is currently a Senior at North Carolin A&T, an HBCU in North Carolina. She was the proud recipient of the HBCU scholarship for her voyage and looks forward to helping future SAS students!

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I am a Sociology student in San Francisco, California. During my voyage, I had the privilege of sailing as a Chapman Scholar and co-leading the Jewish club (Jew Cruise). I loved participating in “gay global studies” a special identity-based post-port reflection for members of minority groups on board. I am someone who has been given the privilege of two passports, however, this did bring unexpected challenges. Some of my most cherished memories from SAS include the late-night games and early-morning field programs.

Ask me about:
Judaism on SAS
Queerness on SAS
Having two passports on SAS
Academic accommodations on SAS
Food allergies on SAS

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Hi! My name is Bella and I sailed Spring 2022. I grew up on military bases overseas, and transferred colleges twice, so I know very well what it is like to be in a new environment. Semester at Sea gave me lifelong friends as well as so many memories.

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I’m Jennifer from Washington State! I sailed during the Fall 2023 voyage. SAS felt like a far-reaching dream, but I pushed past the odds and pursued it. It transformed my life, built lifelong friendships, and widened my worldview!

I’m Maggie from Myrtle Beach, SC. I sailed after high-school as a gap year student on the Spring 2019 Voyage. On SAS I was given exposure to so many different ways people make an impact in life. Witnessing a social enterprise in Ghana had a massive impact on my major and career plans! When I sailed I was learning how to live with an autoimmune illness and the food restrictions that came with it. On board I loved attending Global Studies (i.e. learning about the next port!), being a part of Christians at Sea, and soaking up all the wisdom of the SAS community.

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When I sailed with Semester at Sea in 2017, I was a Junior at the University of Maryland in College Park. Before applying to SAS, I struggled to pick just one country I wanted to spend a semester abroad in. Lucky for me a program existed for those like me who had bigger ambitions. The few months I spent at sea continue to be a point in my life which I always refer back to. My solo trek through Myanmar, meeting Desmond Tutu, spending a day in a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, the evenings spent on the ship playing card games–all of these treasured moments I constantly think back to. Post-voyage, I have continued to travel and even lived in China for a year (a port from my voyage). Currently I reside back at home in Maryland but make sure to keep my passport open.

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Passionate, curious and zesty, I’m born and bred Singaporean. I studied Business (Marketing and Finance) at the National University of Singapore. Living on a small island translates to traveling at any opportunity you get, so Semester at Sea was a no-brainer, lifetime opportunity for me. Some of my favorite activities on board were stargazing on the deck, with all the lights switched off, under cost blankets. A sight to behold! My personal interests include film, mixology, flavoured popcorn, and leisure hikes.

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Born and raised in the DC suburbs, I never imagined that my dream of traveling to all seven continents before the age of 30 would actually become a reality. But through Semester at Sea (SAS), I found a lifelong passion for travel that fueled me long after my voyage ended, shaping who I am today. SAS taught me that while there will always be highs and lows along the way, the journey is always worth it. I met incredible people from all corners of the world, some of whom I’m lucky enough to still stay in touch with. Recently, I took an Alaskan cruise with my ship roommate and had the opportunity to reconnect with the ship doctor and a few professors during my journey home. Looking back, I never could have imagined how much I’d learn—not only about the world but also about myself—and how those experiences would profoundly change my life. If you’re thinking about it—do it. I’d recommend Semester at Sea to anyone!

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I’m Austin Joseph, and Semester at Sea was the most transformational journey of my lifetime. I sailed on the SP16 voyage and met the most incredible people, learned about the world through their perspectives, and was forever changed! I had amazing adventures seeing the night stars in the Sahara, exploring the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, the streets of Tokyo, Tabletop Mountain, the Taj Mahal and much more. My voyage also recorded the first music video capturing the fun of daily life on the MV World Odyssey! My favorite courses were Comparative Politics and World Religions, especially when we took our coursework to the real world and visited real temples in the countries to learn about global religions firsthand. I went to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and now I work for Google.

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Hi, I am Alisha! I sailed as an international student on SP14. I’m very passionate about spreading awareness of the SAS program abroad/outside of the US. Some of my favorite memories – the excitement of seeing the shore of a new country you’re about to explore, making many new friends, having an extended shipboard family, being rocked to sleep at night and, of course, Neptune day (ever kissed a fish?)! Semester at Sea has been an incredible experience that fueled many of my passions that I have to this day – including a severe case of wanderlust (66 countries and counting). Whenever I tell people that I lived and studied on a ship, they can barely believe that such an awesome experience exists and regret not having known about it back then – so don’t miss out on this amazing experience!

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During my time on board, I served as the head of the international student union and helped create a safe space for this minority (80 out of 800) on board. Apart from being a safe place to vent and process, we held film screenings and panel discussions that were open to all as a way to further our multicultural understanding. I believe that every individual is an amalgamation of their own unique experiences and intersectional identities. SAS was an experience that demonstrated this at every turn. It has become an experience that is central to my identity. To me SAS was an experience that keeps on giving – it gave me friends for life, experiences I will always cherish, a broader outlook, a more open attitude, and so much more.