Semester at Sea has a work-study program through which students can apply to work in some capacity on the voyage. Highly competitive, students may only apply to work in one area, and those selected are given a scholarship toward their voyage. Our Communications Team has a great group, who will soon be producing a few pieces for the blog. Below are their names and brief biographies of each.
Name: Caty Coplin
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
School: Rollins College
Year: Junior
Major: Studio Art, International Business Minor
Why did you decide to participate in Semester at Sea?
Desire to work for travel channel or national geographic. Love to travel, give back to others, learn about other cultures, live adventurously.
If you were any country in the world, which would you be and why?
The country that most interests me is China, but if I had to choose one country that describes my personality the most it would definitely be Italy because it embodies everything that I am: an artist, a romantic, a dreamer, and a family member.
Describe yourself in three words:
Spontaneous, passionate, adventurous
Name: Becca Dickinson
Hometown: Denver, Colorado & Roseburg, Oregon
School: Hastings College
Year: Sophomore
Major: Journalism and Art
Why did you decide to participate in Semester at Sea?
I want to experience other cultures, different ways of life and meet people unlike myself.
If you were any country in the world, which would you be and why?
Australia, because I love the ocean. I’m easy going, friendly, adventurous and I can be a little crazy at times.
Describe yourself in three words:
Loving, experiencing, writing
Name: Jessie DiMartnio
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
School: New York University
Year: Senior
Major: Film & TV, and Spanish
Why did you decide to participate in Semester at Sea?
I decided to do Semester at Sea because I didn’t feel passionately about studying abroad in any of the countries my University offered. Once I found this program I became excited about school and travel again. I saw it as an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and grow as a person.
If you were any country in the world, which would you be and why?
This is really hard, and I’m sure the minute I send this in I’ll think of a better country I’d like to be but… If I were any country in the world I guess I would be Italy! Italy just encompasses a lot of what I like: pizza, pasta, cheese, wine, romance languages, dark hair, dark eyes (Southern Italy), loud people, big families!
Describe yourself in three words:
Dance, Laugh, Sleep :]
Name: Sam Faktorow
Hometown: Aspen, Colorado
School: Colorado College
Year: Junior (2013)
Majors: Drama and English Literature
Why did you decide to participate in Semester at Sea?
I wanted to see the world and experience several different cultures rather than have a traditional study abroad experience and immerse myself in one body of people, but I also saw a profound change in my sister when she sailed in Spring ’08. I drew inspiration from her and decided to take the leap and apply.
If you were any country in the world, which would you be and why?
At this point in my life, probably something that’s part of the former USSR because I’m about the same age as them and my background is Eastern European. I’m not a former Communist, though…I swear.
Describe yourself in three words:
Expressing, Questioning, and Sleeping
Name: Alanah Rodriguez Aleman
Hometown: Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
School: The Newhouse School at Syracuse University
Year: Junior
Major: Broadcast and Digital Journalism Major with a geography minor
Why did you decide to participate in Semester at Sea?
It’s an experience of a lifetime and I wasn’t gonna give the opportunity up.
If you were any country in the world, which would you be and why?
Thailand because everything about it is beautiful.
Describe yourself in three words:
Energetic, loving and determined
Name: Maria Daud Rowe
Hometown: Singapore
School: National University of Singapore
Year: 3 (junior)
Major: Communications and New Media, minor English Literature
Why did you decide to participate in Semester at Sea?
An immersion exchange programme just didn’t sound right for me. When I was younger, I watched tonnes of movies like Flipper and Free Willy. I really wanted to be a marine biologist, but Singapore isn’t really known for any marine life or beaches. Semester at Sea allows me to enjoy traveling and the sea while studying. It’s an incredible combination.
If you were any country in the world, which would you be and why?
My stomach is American.
My brain feels like a Hong Kong.
I hope to slowly turn into Greece with age.
Describe yourself in three words:
Exploring, overthinking, complicating
