When Lauren Karwoski, a Spring 2018 student voyager, set sail with Semester at Sea, she expected an adventure that would broaden her perspective and build her adaptability. She did not realize those very experiences would one day prepare her to compete on a national television stage.
This fall, Lauren will appear as a cast member on NBC’s new reality competition series On Brand with Jimmy Fallon, premiering September 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted and produced by Jimmy Fallon, the show brings together ten creative professionals to design multi-million-dollar marketing campaigns for major brands like Dunkin’, Southwest Airlines, and KitchenAid. Contestants will pitch their ideas to Fallon, marketing leader Bozoma Saint John, and brand representatives, with the winner earning $100,000, a feature in Adweek, a trip to the Cannes Lions Festival, and the title of Innovator of the Year.
Lauren credits her voyage with giving her the skills to thrive in the fast-paced world of marketing. “Semester at Sea taught me how to navigate the unexpected and collaborate across cultures, skills I use every day in my work,” she said.
During her undergraduate studies, Lauren traveled to more than ten countries while living and learning aboard the MV World Odyssey. She embraced new cultures, built friendships across continents, and learned to adapt quickly. These experiences now help her meet the challenges of high-stakes marketing competitions.
When filming began for On Brand, Lauren joined a diverse group of creatives that included toy designers, fashion entrepreneurs, and seasoned marketers. All worked under the guidance of Fallon and Saint John. Each week, the contestants develop bold campaigns and present them to top brands and industry leaders.
Much like her Semester at Sea experience, the show demands resourcefulness and a readiness for the unexpected.
“You can prepare all you want, but you never know exactly what is coming next,” Lauren said. “That is something I learned on the ship, being ready for anything.”
Lauren’s journey from student voyager to national TV competitor shows how a global education can spark creativity and open unexpected doors. Semester at Sea congratulates her on this exciting next chapter and will be cheering her on when On Brand with Jimmy Fallon debuts September 30 on NBC and streams the following day on Peacock.
About On Brand with Jimmy Fallon
NBC’s new primetime series blends the worlds of marketing, advertising, and reality television. Fallon acts as host and executive producer, leading a team of ten contestants who will create multi-million-dollar campaigns for major brands such as Dunkin’, KitchenAid, Marshalls, Pillsbury, Sonic, Southwest Airlines, and Therabody. Contestants pitch ideas to Fallon, marketing icon Bozoma Saint John, and brand representatives. The winner will receive $100,000, an Adweek feature, a trip to the Cannes Lions Festival, and the title of Innovator of the Year. For the first three weeks starting Sept 30, episodes air Tuesdays at 10/9c and Fridays at 8/7c. After Oct 7, new episodes air Fridays at 8/7c.
About Semester at Sea
Semester at Sea is a premier global education program that brings together college students, gap year participants, postgraduates, and lifelong learners for a multi-country study abroad experience. Voyagers live and learn aboard the MV World Odyssey while traveling to 10–12 destinations across multiple continents. Through coursework, in-country field programs, and a close-knit shipboard community, Semester at Sea provides an immersive and transformative educational journey that prepares participants to become engaged global citizens. Since its founding in 1963, more than 73,000 alumni have explored the world through this unique floating campus.
