Feb. 2, 2009—Inclement weather has delayed the arrival of the Spring 2009 voyage of Semester at Sea into Casablanca, Morocco. The MV Explorer is now expected to arrive at 2200 (local time).

Thinking of signing up for a multicountry study abroad experience? See what Embarkation was like for the 724 undergraduates who boarded the MV Explorer in Nassau, Bahamas for the spring voyage. Watch as they say goodbye to family and friends and are greeted by Academic Dean, Reg Garrett in this slideshow with audio.

A new SAS Voyage Blog is available on the Current Voyage site. Learn how you can follow the blog or subscribe to it and get updates about new postings, photos, video clips, slideshows, and shipboard events. {More»}

Jan. 22, 2009: The January/February issue of International Educator, the bimonthly magazine of NAFSA, explores multicountry education an alternative to traditional study abroad programs. Semester at Sea is prominently featured in the article, which includes multiple interviews and photos of SAS program participants. Experts describe the benefits of a cross-cultural comparative model. Read "When One Just Isn't Enough" by Charlotte West on NAFSA's website.

Jan. 19, 2009: The MV Explorer departed Nassau, Bahamas as scheduled with 724 undergraduates representing 235 colleges and universities; 14 lifelong learners; and 67 faculty and staff. The around-the-world voyage will last 108 days and explore 10 countries. Watch the voyage's progress on the current voyage website and a new voyage blog, which will include frequent reports, interviews with students, ship and trip photos, video clips, and multimedia slideshows.

2008 marked a year of many accomplishments at Semester at Sea. We hosted the first SAS Leadership Forum on Global Affairs, celebrated our 45th birthday in NYC Harbor, inaugurated the Desmond Tutu Program in Global Understanding, purchased the MV Explorer, and launched the SAS Alumni Association Board of Directors and SAS Parents Council. Thank you for your continued support to our global mission. With your help, we look forward to many new and exciting accomplishments in 2009, including our 100th voyage next fall. Stay tuned!

As an educational non-profit, Semester at Sea is completely dependent upon enrollment revenues, established endowed funds, and philanthropic gifts from our parents, alumni, and corporate sponsors. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference. Your tax-deductible donation provides student financial assistance, faculty and field program support, and shipboard improvements that ensure safe and energy-efficient travel around the globe. Make a gift to the SAS Annual Fund.

Dec. 9, 2008: The Institute for Shipboard Education, in consultation with leading government and non-government international risk assessment agencies, has resolved to reroute the spring 2009 voyage to avoid increasingly uncertain conditions in the Gulf of Aden. Given the recent attempted attack on a passenger ship and additional incidents in the region, the voyage itinerary has been amended to avoid this area of potential risk. The safety of all Semester at Sea participants, visitors, and crew members remains our number one priority and foremost concern. {More»}

Dec. 3, 2008 - A new cooperative effort between the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) and the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) will enable three students attending a USNH college or university to traverse the globe with the Semester at Sea program on a full scholarship. USNH Chancellor Stephen Reno describes Semester at Sea as an "invaluable" and "life-changing" experience for undergraduate students. {More»}

Paul Groner, professor and chair of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, narrates this audio slideshow on the temples of Japan. Groner, who is an expert on Asian religions and Buddhism, explores the Golden Pavillion in Kyoto and other remarkable cultural sites with fall 2008 participants. Listen as Groner describes the benefits of hands-on learning and discovery as SAS participants apply on-ship classroom learning in the field.

Nov. 27, 2008: The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) is continuing to monitor the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. Semester at Sea is scheduled to visit Chennai, India—more than 1,000 miles southeast of Mumbai—in March 2009. No field excursions to Mumbai are planned. ISE works closely with senior security experts at the U.S. State Department as well as independent risk assessment agencies to carefully design itineraries that avoid areas of security concern. ISE will be assessing India as a whole, as well as Thailand, in the coming weeks. {More»}