the world isYOUR CAMPUS

Discover a global perspective for the challenges of tomorrow with a study abroad experience like no other.

Set Sail on the World’s Most Unique Floating College

Semester at Sea’s passenger ship brings together college students with learners at all stages of life to study with world-renowned professors in a shipboard classroom setting and in countries around the globe. With the ship as your home, you’ll find adventure, community, and life-changing experiences everywhere you go.

Check us out on Amazon Prime’s The College Tour

The Amazon Prime series tells the story of colleges and universities through the eyes of 10 hosts who share their unique perspectives on everything from campus life to academics, housing, athletics, and more. The College Tour produced a 30-minute episode about 10 voyager stories highlighting the Semester at Sea experience for traditional, gap-year, recent-college-graduate and international students, Lifelong Learners, and faculty.

What Is Semester at Sea?

Global Experience

Visit 10+ countries around the world in a uniquely comparative environment that provides a truly global perspective.

College Credit

Earn a full semester’s worth of course credit from a world-class university, with the rigorous curriculum you need to accomplish your academic goals.

Shipboard Life

Enjoy the comfort and community of a floating home away from home, no matter where in the world your voyage takes you.

Experiential Learning

Develop a deeper understanding of the world through onboard and in-country learning opportunities that connect the classroom to the communities you visit.

Sweden
Ghana
Casablanca
Morocco
Jordan
Jordan
India
India
Kenya
Kenya
South Africa
South Africa
Vietnam
Vietnam

Become a Citizen of the World

Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester at Sea opens the door to deep, authentic engagement with countries and cultures across the globe. It’s more than just the adventure of a lifetime. It’s a transformative experience that will give you a global perspective to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

10+

Destinations

Experience life in more countries than any other academic program.

3 to 4

Continents

Develop a comparative understanding of global cultures.

20000+

Nautical Miles

Go the distance aboard a ship built for living and learning.

100+

Days of Travel

Spend your semester exploring the world.

Fall 2024

Fall 2024

September 09 — December 22

Ghana Hong Kong India Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Netherlands Portugal South Africa Thailand Vietnam

Spring 2025

Spring 2025

January 05 — April 20

Germany Ghana India Kenya Malaysia Morocco Mozambique South Africa Spain Thailand Vietnam

Who is Semester at Sea for?

Gap Year Students

Undergraduate Students

Recent College Graduates

Lifelong Learners

Faculty & Staff


The Semester at Sea Difference

Building true global understanding with a unique combination of academic rigor, immersive in-port experiences, and a transformative shipboard culture.

Learn

Top academic leaders share their knowledge through in-class and hands-on curriculum.

Explore

Immerse yourself in cultures around the world through academic Field Classes, structured Field Programs, or plan your own travel.

Connect

Build relationships that last a lifetime as part of a diverse community of learners.

Semester at Sea in Action

Semester at Sea in Action
Semester at Sea Example
Semester at Sea Events
Semester at Sea in Action

Voices from Our Voyagers

The experience that I had on Semester at Sea was brought to life by the amazing crew, faculty, and students on board. All the people I’ve met and all the things I’ve seen and learned during my voyage has changed my life. I will be forever grateful for the semester I decided to study on a floating campus and have the world as my classroom.

There are really no words to describe Semester at Sea. You come back from your voyage a changed person. It might be the cultural experiences or just the life long friends that you make. SAS really was the best semester of my college experience.

Semester at Sea was hands down the best experience of my life. There truly is no better way to learn than gaining hands on experience around the world! From the classes and field labs, to the life long friendships I made, SAS pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped shape me into the person I am today! I will forever be grateful for this amazing experience!

Semester at Sea quite literally saved and changed my life. It brought me countless opportunities, experiences, and challenges that really pushed me to grow as a person. Even though it was amazing visiting all of the countries, life at sea was just as important because that is where my community was created and where I made my best friends for life. In fact, we have already had a SAS reunion! Thank you Semester at Sea for such a life changing experience!

Recent News

  • Spring 2022 Alumni
    SAS alum competes on upcoming season of The Amazing Race
    Read More
  • Spring 2024 Announcements Spring 2024
    Semester at Sea diverting from Mauritius to Mozambique to avoid cyclone
    Read More
  • A group of adults on a lifelong learning journey.
    Lifelong Learning Program
    Study Abroad For Adults: Programs & How-To Guide
    Read More

Ready to Set Sail?

Take the first step on the journey of a lifetime.