When R. Foster Hillis (“Foster”) sailed on Semester at Sea’s Spring 2022 Voyage, he was a junior at the University of Oklahoma and part of the voyage that would be the first to return fully after the COVID-19 pandemic pause. The experience required incredible flexibility from everyone on board.
“Semester at Sea was probably both the most challenging and the most rewarding experience that I had in undergrad,” Foster said. “Being the first full voyage back, we had a lot of COVID-19 policies, and we had eight or nine itinerary changes; so, up until the very end of the voyage, we were changing our plan.”
For Foster, who studied elections and campaign management with an emphasis in political science and a business minor, these challenges were all part of the experience that has created lasting friendships and a global network that remains part of his life today.
“What you put into the program and what you put into your educational experience is what you get out,” he says. “I still have a tight-knit group of SAS friends, and we text every single day.”
His initial voyage also deepened Foster’s passion for travel and global learning. Today, he has visited approximately 55 countries, a number he says grew significantly after sailing. “I have now gotten the travel bug,” he said. “Before Semester at Sea, I had probably been to 15 to 20 countries, so it was a big catalyst to see more after I finished my voyage.”
After his voyage, Foster continued to stay closely connected to SAS. He first served as a Youth Trustee on the Semester at Sea Board of Trustees, helping to bring the perspective of recent voyagers to leadership conversations.
Today, Foster continues to remain involved with Semester at Sea through his current internship with the Institute for Shipboard Education. As an Enrollment Communications intern, he supports the recruitment process, helping guide prospective students from their initial interest in the program to their eventual application.
The internship is part of Foster’s master’s program in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Indiana University, where students are required to complete a professional placement related to their career interests. The SAS role both connects to Foster’s ongoing relationship with the SAS program and aligns with his long-term career goal of working in enrollment management and admissions at a public university.
Beyond his deep ongoing involvement with ISE and SAS, Foster’s commitment to Semester at Sea extends beyond action – it also includes giving back financially.
As a young alumnus, he makes a regular monthly gift to support the program, joining the Shellback Giving Society, a community of young alumni who are committed to paying it forward, and helping to sustain the program for future voyagers.
“I knew that I wanted to give back to the organization that has given me so many possibilities,” Foster said. In giving back now, rather than later in life, Foster shared that he is intentionally making sure to “start early and often on my SAS donation history.”
Why does this matter now? Rather than waiting until later in life to contribute, Foster believes early, consistent support from alumni, no matter the size, helps strengthen the program today. “I could wait and give a major gift in the future, but I want to make sure that the institution has a stable base now rather than later,” he said.
For Foster, giving back isn’t only about philanthropy, especially for young alumni: it’s also about staying engaged and encouraging other alumni to remain involved.
“I would say that everybody can do something now,” Foster said. “Whether that is reposting an Instagram graphic of when our applications come out, mentoring students on how to start applying for the program, or talking about Semester at Sea in your professional settings.” Every small action – and every donation, no matter how small right now – can strengthen the global Semester at Sea community, he shared.
For Foster, the Semester at Sea was transformative, and supporting the program “early and often,” both in his actions and in his monthly contributions, is a way to help ensure that future students can have the same life-changing experience for years to come. If you’d like to begin your own monthly donation to SAS, please visit our giving page.
