Fresh off the Spring 2026 Semester at Sea Voyage, student voyager Lauren Lobanoff was featured in People Magazine. We reached out to Lauren to get the inside scoop on her experience and her media spotlight.
Q: How did you end up being featured in People Magazine?
A: People Magazine actually reached out to me via email after seeing one of my TikToks from the voyage. From there, we connected and they asked if I’d be open to sharing more about my experience, which turned into the two articles. It was such an exciting and unexpected opportunity, and I’m incredibly grateful for it.
Q: How did you feel about the voyage?
A: I genuinely don’t even know how to fully put it into words. It was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I feel like I came off the ship a completely different person than the one who stepped on. It changed the way I see the world, pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways, and helped me grow so much in my confidence and perspective. Being able to learn while experiencing so many different cultures firsthand is something that’s truly unmatched.
It changed the way I see the world, pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways, and helped me grow so much in my confidence and perspective.” — Lauren Lobanoff
Q: What should future SASers know?
A: That it’s completely normal to feel nervous about leaving home and stepping into something so unfamiliar. It can feel overwhelming at first, but that’s also where so much of the growth happens. There is so much out there in the world that’s worth seeing, and this program gives you such a unique opportunity to experience it in a meaningful way. The connections you make, both with people and places, stay with you long after the voyage ends.
Lauren’s journey is a testament to the power of sharing your story. You can find her full features and more details about her educational journey in People Magazine:
Photos provided by Lauren Lobanoff
