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.

The Summer 2009 voyage of Semester at Sea will focus on the academic theme "Human Rights and Social Justice in the Mediterranean World" and feature three distinguished guest lecturers: Zornitsa Stoyanova-Yerburgh of the Carnegie Council, New York Times correspondent Randy Archibold, and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. {Read more»}

May 6, 2009: The Spring 2009 voyage of Semester at Sea returned safely to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. today after its successful voyage around the world. The 724 undergraduates traveled to Morocco, Spain, Namibia, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Viet Nam, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Hawaii, and Guatemala as part of a vibrant living/learning community with lifelong learners, interport lecturer and students, faculty, and staff. {See photos of the arrival»}

A new audio slideshow on Guatemala depicts Spring 2009 participants' first-hand learning experiences at a Guatemalan coffee farm where they observed the entire growing and production process; a hike up the active Pacaya Volcano; and a professor-led workshop on Maya calendars and time-keeping in which students learned to illustrate the 20 Maya Days and numerals in the sacred 260-Day Divinatory Calendar.

"Travel across the ocean on one of the fastest, safest, and most technologically advanced ships afloat. Visit archaeological sites, museums, orphanages, and rural villages around the world. Share your travel and life experiences with a diverse community of students, faculty, and fellow world travelers. Does all of this sound intriguing to you?" Read the full article by Celine Todd in Trinity Life Magazine.

April 30, 2009: The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) is closely monitoring developments related to the outbreak of swine influenza (H1N1 Virus) in Mexico, the United States, and other parts of the world. As a precautionary measure, ISE has cancelled a stop in Mexico as part of the upcoming "Passage Through Panama" Enrichment Voyage. At this time, all other voyages are expected to sail as planned. When necessary, ISE has the ability to cancel ports of call at any time if conditions should change in any country, even while a voyage is underway. {Full story»}

A new audio slideshow on Hawaii portrays voyagers' learning experiences at a Korean Buddhist Temple in Honolulu (read the accompanying blog entry) and the USS Arizona Memorial. Listen as students are asked to contemplate a world without killing by participating in a panel discussion. As well, participants consider the lasting effects of war on Pearl Harbor.

New audio slideshows on Japan and China have been posted to the Current Voyage website. Watch as Spring 2009 voyage participants explore the culture, sites, and history of both nations through the Semester at Sea International Field Program and related coursework. Among the many educational highlights, participants embark on a facsinating cultural journey to Mt. Fuji.

April 20, 2009 - A new cooperative relationship between the University of Hawaii Hilo and the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) will enable ten students attending UH Hilo to traverse the globe and obtain an international learning experience with the Semester at Sea program on a full scholarship. The first scholarships are expected to be awarded for the spring 2010 semester. {More»}

Diversity Abroad is the leading global education organization serving underrepresented students pursuing international education opportunities. Recently, Semester at Sea partnered with Diversity Abroad to offer new scholarships to students wishing to study abroad with Semester at Sea. Candidates were asked to submit video essays to YouTube addressing the question: "Why is it important to study abroad with students from diverse backgrounds?" The Summer 2009 recipients of the Semester at Sea/Diversity Abroad scholarships have been announced on our website, where you can also click to see many of the video applications.