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. Please see below for basic application requirements. All applicants must send in their transcripts, the disciplinary clearance form and submit the online application. International undergraduate students are required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores for English proficiency.
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. Additional application requirements for international gap year students include proof of admission from a college or university, a 3.25 GPA, two letters of recommendation, and the gap year essay.
- Official Secondary School National Exam Results (must be translated to English)
- TOEFL or IELTS results sent directly to admission@isevoyages.org directly from the testing agency
- 2 Academic Letters of Recommendation
- Gap Year Statement of Intent
- 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
Post Graduate Student: Students who sail within one year of graduation from their undergraduate institution. Students currently matriculated in a Graduate/Master’s program are ineligible to participate as post-graduate students. Additional application requirements for post graduate students include a letter of recommendation, a 3.0 GPA, and the post graduate statement of intent. International post graduate students are required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores for English proficiency.

If you attend an international university where the language of instruction is not English and your first language is not English, you must provide a copy your TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Other Admission Requirements

Application Instructions for International Students

All applicants for Semester at Sea file the same online application
International students can request a waiver of the $50 application fee by email prior to submitting the online application
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 directly to admission@isevoyages.org directly from the testing agency.
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.

APPLY HERE!

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.