Study Abroad Voyages

Student Affairs at Sea FAQ

Am I eligible for financial aid?

Student Affairs at Sea Program participants are not eligible for financial aid through Semester at Sea beyond the possible receipt of an internship position. You may be eligible for aid (e.g., scholarship, loans) through your graduate institution. Check with your on campus financial aid counselor to assess your eligibility. You are also encouraged to look to foundations, associations, and other organizations for scholarships and fellowships.

Are doctoral students eligible for the Student Affairs at Sea program?

Yes, with the understanding that the program is geared toward masters students. Doctoral students have the same expectation as masters students: enrollment in International Issues in Student Affairs, participation in site visits to universities, and payment of all program fees. Doctoral students may apply for internships with the understanding that these roles are part-time, entry level, and in support of the full-time student affairs staff on the voyage.

Can I apply for an internship position but not take classes?

No. Internships are available only to graduate students enrolled in the courses required in the Student Affairs at Sea program.

Can I manage my home and/or work responsibilities that require substantial access to the Internet?

The Internet on the ship is EXTREMELY limited in terms of availability and broadband capacity. Large attachments are very difficult to manage and there are times when even basic email communication is extremely slow. Student Affairs at Sea participants have limited access to the ship�s Internet. In addition, the pace of travel and life on the ship is very fast. Student Affairs at Sea participants are heavily occupied with study, course attendance, internship responsibilities, and travel.

Can recent graduates (May 2011) apply to Student Affairs at Sea?

Yes, but recent graduates must either be admitted into a student affairs masters program for the subsequent fall or show strong interest in the field of student affairs. All students must register for six graduate credits, audit Global Studies (a course required of all voyage participants), and participate in the Student Affairs at Sea activities. Program fees must also be paid.

How will I know if the Student Affairs at Sea Program is the right fit for me?

The Student Affairs at Sea program is a great fit for culturally savvy graduate students who are interested in traveling and living closely with undergraduate students. The ship�s environment makes it an excellent one for interacting closely with voyage faculty and staff. If you are flexible, adaptable, and open to new cultural experiences, Student Affairs at Sea may be a very good fit. The program may not be a good fit for those who have never traveled internationally, have already taken a class in international higher education, and/or do not have a background or interest in student affairs.

Is it possible for me to finish my graduate capstone project while on the ship?

Fulfilling graduate credit, working as an intern, and traveling in the ports results in a full schedule. It is possible but difficult to take on additional responsibilities such as thesis writing or capstone projects. Capstone projects that require coordination with personnel in the ports are very difficult to arrange due to communication difficulties and cross-cultural differences. The limited Student Life staff on board, fast pace of shipboard life, and heavy responsibilities among staff members make it difficult to arrange capstone related research projects or other activities needing administrative supervision.

Is it possible to job search while on Student Affairs at Sea?

Because of the limited Internet access, job searching while onboard is possible but difficult. The ship�s Internet system cannot accommodate real time services such as Skype, chat, or Goggle chat. Several ports have free wi-fi and there is in�port access to the Internet in cafes and other locations.

Is the Student Affairs at Sea similar to the undergraduate Semester at Sea program?

The Student Affairs at Sea program is for graduate students in higher education and student affairs and/or related graduate programs. The Semester at Sea program is for undergraduate students. The Student Affairs at Sea participants will work closely as interns with the undergraduate Semester at Sea participants.

What are the fees for the program?

Student Affairs at Sea program costs for Summer 2011:

outside cabin: $12,995 (per person based on double occupancy);

Costs may be defrayed by the receipt of an internship offered during the summer 2011 voyage.

What courses are available in the Student Affairs at Sea Program?

Program participants must register for the course, Higher Education from an Intercultural Perspective, and audit Global Studies (a course required of all voyage participants). Additional three credits of graduate work will be selected from the following options:

Teachers at Sea Graduate Course:

International and Intercultural Dimensions of Teaching and Learning

Possible Undergraduate Courses With Additional Requirements for Graduate Credit:

Politics: Freedom of Speech and Religion - At Home and Abroad
Psychology: Psychosocial Development of Adolescents
Psychology: The Psychology of Human Learning and Memory
Education: Race, Class, and Gender
Architecture/Planning: Green Urbanism
Business/Commerce: Negotiation and Conflict Management
Ethnomusicology: Music and Social Revolution: The Politics of Artistic Protest

What is the cost of the program for Lifelong Learner participants?

Program fees for Lifelong Learner participants are available on the LLL Staterooms and Rates page.

What is the difference between Student Affairs at Sea program participants and Lifelong Learner participants?

Student Affairs at Sea program participants are current or recent (May 2010) graduate students who are enrolled in courses (see above) for graduate credit. Lifelong learners are participants who are at least 40 years of age. They participate in the Student Affairs at Sea courses for non-credit.

What responsibilities are part of the internship experience?

Student Affairs at Sea interns do a little bit of everything: program planning, beverage service staffing, RA-type community building, workshop presentations, listening, dock checks, and anything else where help is needed. Similar to all staff on the ship, some responsibilities are very basic and others require advanced professional skills. In all cases, the interns are a valuable part of the student life staff.

What responsibilities are part of the internship experience?

Who can apply to be a Lifelong Learners?

You must be at least 40 years of age to sail as a Lifelong Learner. View the LLL application.

Applicants under 40 years of age can petition to be considered Lifelong Learners. Applicants should include a letter with their admissions application explaining their circumstances. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis by the program administrators.

Who is eligible for the shipboard internships?

Current graduate students or recent (May 2011) graduates are eligible to apply for the internships and participation in the Student Affairs at Sea program (with the exception of Lifelong Learners, see below).

A limited number of paid internships are available to graduate students as program assistants. The remuneration for the internship role is $2,000. The part-time Program Assistants are matched with the full-time student affairs voyage staff (known as Living-Learning Coordinators).

Interns will be selected based on demonstrated experience in several specialized areas (see internship application for details).

www.semesteratsea.org/studentaffairs

Will I still be able to apply for the graduate internship position if I recently graduated from my masters program?

Recent (May 2011) masters graduates may apply for the Student Affairs at Sea Program and internships. Program participants must pay program fees (see above), enroll in and obtain six graduate credits, and audit Global Studies, a requirement of all Semester at Sea participants.