The 107th voyage of Semester at Sea will embark from Montreal tomorrow carrying students, faculty, staff and adult Lifelong Learners representing nearly 200 universities around the world. Yet while the students are just hours away from the journey of a lifetime, tonight their parents and family members had the opportunity to board our floating campus, the MV Explorer. Greeted by the Fall 2011 faculty and staff, Semester at Sea Board members, Parent Council members and volunteers, families had the chance to learn about the community their students will soon be joining. After seeing the ship and learning about the resources available to the students, the parents debarked excited about the global education their sons and daughters will gain through this study abroad program. Below are some conversations overheard during the 2011 Parent’s Welcome Reception:
Q: “Will I still be able to communicate with my daughter while the ship is at sea and in port?”
A: “Yes, each participant will be issued a Semester at Sea email account for personal communication. Access to this account through the ship’s intranet will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free of charge.”
Q: “My son is somewhat shy. Will there be an easy way for him to meet his fellow participants?”
A: “Upon embarkation the students are grouped into ‘Seas.’ Each ‘Sea’ will have meetings on the first night and throughout orientation to introduce the students to their fellow voyagers and explain the unique opportunities afforded by our floating campus.”
Q: “My son’s laptop has been acting up. Will there be someone aboard the ship to help him if he has computer problems and needs to be able to write his assignments?”
A: “In addition to an experienced IT team available to assist participants, the ship features the Hudson Computer Lab, to which the students will have access at all times.”
Q: “My daughter does not remember which field programs she selected and wants to be sure she has all of her Faculty-Directed Practica. How can she check on that?”
A: “Students are given priority when registering for any Practica led by a professor whose class they are taking. If she would like to verify her selected programs, she can visit our Field Office, located on Deck Five. The staff will be overseeing the Field Programs for the semester.”
The reception culminated with an informative discussion led by the Fall 2011 deans and program staff. However for many parents the best conversation overheard tonight was between a Fall 2007 alumnus and her mother, regarding her sister who will be sailing this voyage with us:
“Mom, I would do this again in a heartbeat. She’s in good hands.”
