How to Prepare for a Semester at Sea

When you join a semester at sea program you gain college credit to travel across the world...and it's all done on a huge ship!

There is no rule stating that a study abroad program has to be done by either flying or driving to your destination. A semester at sea program allows students to sail across various oceans to view different cultures from a more natural perspective.

While on the ship you get your basic college academics from teachers that travel with you, but you might even get a few lessons on navigating and sailing from the ship's crew.

You also get to stop at various international locations and experience the education and entertainment of the host countries. Whether you're going for an entire semester abroad or just for a summer semester at sea, your ocean adventure will be one that you won't forget!

Applying for a Semester at Sea

There are many great reasons to join a semester at sea program, and because they are so popular you need to apply to your university's program as soon as possible to get your name on the waiting list.

But there are some basic requirements that all students must pass in order to be considered for a semester at sea program:

* You must have at least a 2.75 G.P.A.
* You must be enrolled in an accredited college/university.
* You must have completed a full semester at your college/university.
* You must be a junior or senior (some younger students may be accepted).
* You must pay any application fees.
* You must complete any other requirements as set forth by your school.

If you pass all of these requirements then you should be well on your way to an exciting semester at sea experience!

Preparing for Your Trip

The most important document that you must have in order to actually be part of a semester at sea program is a passport. Not all countries require students to have a passport, but you never want to take a chance with the handful of countries that you may be visiting.

Always apply for your passport as early as possible because it may take weeks for it to be processed. You can use the site GetaPassportNow.com to help guide you through the application process.

If the ship you are taking is not located near you, you may also need to think about arranging a flight to get there. Some good places to look are Cheaptickets.com and Priceline.com.

It would even be a good idea to leave a day or two early to the ship's departure city to meet some of the other semester at sea students. You might meet a possible roommate or lifelong friend.

Some other things to keep in mind as you prepare to go:

* Get some sort of student travel insurance to ensure your safety while you are sailing the high seas to other countries. You can use sites like InternationalStudentInsurance.com or TravelGuard.com to get travel insurance.

* Take stock in international calling cards or global cell phones so you can keep in touch with your family. Though you may not get reception in the middle of the ocean, you can make calls when you get to your host country.

* Bring along your laptop to get international internet access and to do any schoolwork. The classrooms on board the ship should have wireless internet access, but if you don't have your own computer there should be a library or resource center available to you for internet access.

* Research the countries you will be traveling to and learn about their form of currency. You should bring cash if you can to make exchanging money easier, but traveler's checks can also be used in foreign countries.

* Find out about the expected weather conditions of your various destinations. As you travel from one country to the next the weather can dramatically change from hot to cold, so pack accordingly with at least a few pairs of long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, lightweight t-shirts, jeans and shorts. And don't forget to take at least one nice outfit for when you get to go out on the town. Most importantly, if you're going to be in a foreign country, make sure that what you wear is not illegal or offensive to its people and customs in any way.

You never know what to expect when you travel across the sea, but if you have these essential items then you can at least be prepared for what lies ahead.

Finding a semester at sea program is easy. You can either ask the study abroad department located at your university, or use sites such as StudyAbroadDomain.com, SemesteratSea.com, Sea Mester.com and SEA.edu to help you choose the program that's right for you.

Once you find a program and get accepted into it, be prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime event that will follow you long after you graduate!