Advice For Future Voyagers
Advice for Future Voyagers…
Semester at Sea is a unique, once in a lifetime experience, and with that comes a ton of uncertainty. To help future voyagers, I decided to keep a running list of advise for anyone considering participating in SAS.
This list is not really in any order, I just wrote down what came to mind first. I am also going to split this into two different posts so keep an eye out for part. I hope this helps with any concerns or questions you might have!
1. The first few days/weeks on the voyage are probably going to be emotionally hard. During the first 2 weeks of my voyage, we were at sea sailing to Japan. Being stuck in the middle of the ocean with random strangers was a lot harder then I expected. After about 5-10 days it gets a lot easier though. I promise.
2. During the first few days, or even throughout the entire voyage, try your best to sit with someone new at each meal. This allows you to meet so many amazing people and I guarantee you will make a new friend because of it.
3. Try your best to stay out of your cabin as much as possible. Not only will you be able to build more friendships by being on deck, but nothing beats the view of the ocean.
4. Interact with the Life Long Learners. Many of the LLL have previously sailed with SAS as a student voyager and they have so many amazing stories to share with current students. I loved talking to them!
5. Become friends with your professors and their families. This is not like a normal university where you go to class and don’t see them again until the next class. You are living with them on the same ship so they become more of a friend than professor. I had multiple dinners and game nights with my professors and their families and I think you should to!
6. Join a “ship family”. Again, this is another great way to meet new people and make new friends!
7. Go to every sunrise and every sunset when you are at sea and even the first day in port. There will be some uneventful mornings/nights but you don’t want to miss the good ones. I never missed a sunrise or sunset and i’m so glad I didn’t.
8. Go to all the seminars that are held at 1900 every night at sea. The professors and LLL on the ship have great stories and they will change the way you view our amazing world.
9. Become friends with the dinning hall staff. Trust me. They are the nicest people on the ship and will do anything for you. Perry is the BEST!
10. Team Lido. Thats all.
11. Participate in an even number of field programs and independant travel. You may meet one of your best friends on a field program.
12. If you are booking independent travel, try to book everything as soon as you know what you want to do/where you want to stay. Not only will this allow you to get first dibs on the best hotels, but it will also save you time in the library the closer you get to port!
13. Do not be afraid to travel with a different group of people in every port. Everyone has different opinions on what they MUST do, so find a group that wants to do the same as you and who you share similar interests in. This is YOUR experience, don’t let other control it!
14. With that being said, it is also important for you to be flexible. Coming from a Spring 2020 voyagers, things change all the time in the middle of the ocean. You may not be able to see/do everything you want but just remember where you are and what you ARE doing!
15. Enjoy the experience and don’t think too much about what is going on back home or on land. This is a once in a life time experience and you should enjoy it to the fullest. Live in the moment!!!
That’a for part 1! If you are a future voyager, I hope this helps settle any nerves or concerns you have. Stay tuned for part 2 coming soon!
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