Experience
Student Stories & Mentors
Who better to share the transformative Semester at Sea experience than students themselves? You can chat with recent alumni directly via our Global Ambassador Program or Diversity Peer Mentor Program, or you can scroll below and explore more student stories!
Global Ambassador Program
Global Ambassadors are recent alumni who are still enrolled as undergraduate students — possibly at your campus or a campus near you! They are trained to answer questions you may have about the program and share their unique experiences.
Diversity Peer Mentor Program
Before and after each voyage, SAS can connect recent alumni with prospective voyagers who share similar identities. This is designed to be an informal mentoring program to share personal voyage experiences. Although we cannot guarantee to meet all mentorship requests, we will do our best to pair as many mentors and mentees as possible.
Voyager Vlogs
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Explore our YouTube
Semester at Sea: Penang Port Day! 🇲🇾🚢 #shorts
🛳️ Semester at Sea Cabin Tour! #shorts
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Want to see the world but worried about falling behind? Enter: Start at Sea. This specialized gap year cohort lets you earn college credits, travel across multiple continents, and connect with a tight-knit community of peers who get your vision. It’s not a year off, it’s a massive head start! 🌊 🛳️ 🌍
Emily Ayres` debut children`s book, Semester at Sea & The Wonder of We, follows young travelers Marina and Porter as they circle the globe on a floating classroom. The book, inspired by her personal experience with SAS, is now available through Emily’s website and Amazon!
A gap year isn’t just a "year off"—it`s your chance to step out of the classroom and into the real world, building the kind of confidence, independence, and global skills that you just can`t get from a textbook. Become a Gap Year student with Semester at Sea! Ready to fast-track your personal growth? 🌍🛳️
If you’re taking a gap year to figure out your next moves, clear your mind, or just see the world, our voyage gap year program has a spot for you! Join this tight knit cohort of students who are choosing their own path just like you. 🩵🛳️
Who says school ends when you graduate?
For Lifelong Learners, the avid question-askers, and the chronically curious—it’s time to take your passion out into the field.
Our field programs put you exactly where the action is. Experience hands-on exploration guided by experts, because the best way to understand the world is to actively participate in it.
Exploring the world means diving deep into the histories, triumphs, and ongoing journeys of global communities. 🌍🏳️🌈
For the last few voyages, our Psychology of Human Sexuality field classes in Cape Town have focused closely on LGBTQ+ themes. We’ve had the privilege of visiting the Pride Shelter Trust, witnessing firsthand the vital, life-changing work they do for the local community.
And, of course, no visit to Cape Town is complete without stopping by Café Manhattan! Established in 1994, it’s Cape Town`s longest-standing LGBTQ+ hotspot. Sharing a meal there means soaking in decades of queer history, electric energy, and incredible inclusivity.
In honor of Pride, we celebrate the spaces and organizations around the globe that foster community, safety, and joy.
BIG NEWS, VOYAGERS!🛳️🌎
We are incredibly excited to announce our brand-new partnership with Reach the World!
Reach the World’s mission is to make the life-changing benefits of global travel accessible to all students, inspiring the next generation of curious, confident, and compassionate global citizens.
Through this partnership, Semester at Sea students are invited to apply to become a Reach the World Traveler. If selected, you’ll be matched with a U.S.-based teacher and classroom to share your journey.
Why Apply?
This is a phenomenal way to showcase your leadership, build valuable digital storytelling skills, and expand your professional network. Most importantly, it allows you to investigate your surroundings with purpose and inspire kids to be curious about the world—just like you.
Application link in our bio!
Still trying to decide if Semester at Sea is right for you? Who better to ask than someone who has done the program! Meet Will, one of our amazing alumni and Global Ambassadors for the program. Thank you Will! 🌊🩵 #SemesterAtSea #GlobalAmbassador #StudyAbroad #AlumniStories #StudentExperience
Semester at Sea today announced that the University of San Diego will be the study abroad program’s next university partner!
The partnership will return the 62-year-old nonprofit to its Southern California roots and align Semester at Sea with an innovative university renowned for its commitment to social justice, global engagement, and academic excellence.
While the inaugural USD-backed voyage will not set sail until Fall 2028, teams from ISE and USD have begun collaboration. ISE and USD leaders will begin voyage preparations later this year!
More answers to your questions! 🙂↕️🤚 Check out the link in bio to find out more about your financial aid options for Semester at Sea.
It`s never too late or too early! Sail with Semester at Sea and apply for the Fall 2026 or the Spring 2027 Voyages 🛳️ 🌊 Link to application in our bio 🙂↕️
You got questions we got answers 🙂↕️ Learn more about your financial aid options through our website link in bio!
Ready to Set Sail?
Take the first step on the journey of a lifetime.