International Student Admission Requirements

Semester at Sea welcomes students who attend international universities to apply for the program and international students can apply as any of the following:

Traditional Undergraduate Student: Undergraduate students make up the majority of the shipboard community. Undergraduate students currently attended a university at the time of their voyage.
Gap Year Student: A gap year student is someone who has completed secondary education and would like to attend a voyage prior to attending a university.
Post Graduate Student: Students who completed and earned their degree from a university.
Davis UWC Gap Year Nominees: Students that have been nominated by their United World College to sail.

Other Admission Requirements

International Undergraduate Student - Application Instructions

2.5 equivalent GPA converted to U.S. scale if possible
Students must be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program at an accredited 2 or 4-year college/university (domestic or international)
Students must have completed at least the equivalent of 12 credits at the post-secondary level
Submit official transcripts and certificates from any colleges or universities attended. If the documents are in a language other than English, please attach a certified English translation. World Education Services and Educational Credential Evaluators are two common options for this service
Students whose first language is not English must substantiate their English language proficiency either by:
- Submitting a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (PBT) or 80 (iBT) is required
- Submitting results from the IELTS exam. A score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS exam is required
- IELTS or TOEFL results should be sent to admission@isevoyages.org directly from the testing agency
- Alternatives to TOEFL, or IELTS on a case by case basis
Students whose first language is English are exempt from the TOEFL requirement
Students who are enrolled full time in an international university where the language of instruction of English may have the TOEFL/IELTS requirement waived
Students must demonstrate their writing skills in a 300 to 500-word essay as indicated on the application
Disciplinary Clearance Form to be completed post deposit

International Post-Graduate Student - Application Instructions

3.0 equivalent GPA converted to U.S. scale if possible
Submit official transcripts and certificates from any colleges or universities attended. If the documents are in a language other than English, please attach a certified English translation. World Education Services and Educational Credential Evaluators are two common options for this service.
Students whose first language is not English must substantiate their English language proficiency either by:
- Submitting a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (PBT) or 80 (iBT) is required
- Submitting results from the IELTS exam. A score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS exam is required
- IELTS or TOEFL results should be sent to admission@isevoyages.org directly from the testing agency
- Alternatives to TOEFL, or IELTS on a case by case basis
Students whose first language is English are exempt from the TOEFL requirement
Students who are enrolled full time in an international university where the language of instruction is English may have the TOEFL/IELTS requirement waived
If admitted as a post-graduate student, you will also be required to sign an Academic Participation Signatory Statement
Submit a statement of intent addressing the following:
- How Semester at Sea fits into your academic and career plans
- The role you plan to take on the voyage
- What you hope to gain from the experience
- Specific courses you are interested in taking co-curricular or extracurricular activities you are interested in joining

International Gap Student - Application Instructions

Official Secondary School results
Official Secondary School National Exam Results (must be translated to English)
Equivalent to a 3.25 U.S. GPA if equivalent comparison exists
TOEFL or IELTS results. Students whose first language is not English must substantiate their English language proficiency either by:
- Submitting a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (PBT) or 80 (iBT) is required.
- Submitting results from the IELTS exam. A score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS exam is required.
- Alternatives to TOEFL or IELTS considers on a case by case basis
Submit our Gap essay 300 to 500-word essay that responds to the following question:
- Why do you wish to participate in Semester at Sea as a gap year student and how does it fit into your long-term academic plan?
The following optional supplements will assist us in determining eligibility to sail as a Gap Year International student: AP Test results, IB Exam Results, SAT/ACT scores, College Admission Letter
One academic recommendation
Disciplinary Clearance Form completed by your high school

Davis UWC Gap Year Nominees - Application Instructions

Official UWC transcripts
Headmaster recommendation for scholarship
One academic recommendation
Letter of Admission to University (optional but not required)
Disciplinary Clearance Form completed by your high school
Gap Year Statement of Intent:
- Why do you wish to participate in Semester at Sea as a gap year student and how does it fit into your long-term academic plan?

Special Considerations

Visas

Semester at Sea has retained the services of Travisa to assist participants with passports and entry visas. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian passport holder, you may have different or additional visa requirements than what is communicated to all participants for your voyage. International passport holders who are currently enrolled at U.S. Institution may utilize Travisa’s service at no additional charge. International passport holders who currently attend a university outside of the U.S. or Canada may still utilize Travisa’s services with a research fee per visa.

If your voyage disembarks in a United States port, you will be clearing Customs & Immigration in the United States . To re-enter the U.S. after your voyage, you must have a valid passport and the appropriate valid U.S. visa.

If you are a non-U.S. passport holder studying full-time in the United States on an F-1 Student visa, you should meet with your school’s international student advising center prior to leaving campus so that you understand the implications of your semester abroad on your immigration status.

Financial Aid

International students are welcome to apply for any Semester at Sea scholarships. We ask that you submit a statement of your parent’s income, with an English translation and conversion to U.S. dollars, in lieu of the FAFSA and tax forms.

The Shipboard Community is an International Community

Once onboard the ship, the entire community is international. Support is in place for all students, regardless of background. Many students come from other countries – 84 countries are represented among SAS Alumni. Our faculty represent a diverse and international perspective as well: 100% of the professors on Semester at Sea have research interests outside the United States.

Alumni, All Over the World

After your voyage, you join an alumni network 68,000+ people strong. Semester at Sea alumni live all over the world. You’ll find a unique network of support and connections with your shipmates as well as those who have sailed on other Semester at Sea voyages.