Tips and Advice for Semester at Sea Students

So you've decided to go on Semester at Sea? Congratulations! You are about to embark on one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of your life. Preparing for a 100 day voyage at sea that spans over 12 different countries may seem a little daunting, but keep these tips in mind and you'll soon be sailing like an old pro.

Exercise the copy machine. After you get your passport, plane ticket, traveler's insurance etc., make copies of everything. Copy the 800 numbers of your credit cards in case they are lost or stolen. Make a copy of your passport and other photo identification.

Pack a week before your trip. Then 2 days before your departure, unpack at least 1/4 of it. There's laundry a service on the ship, so you don't need 3 pairs of jeans or 4 sun-dresses. Believe me, you won't use everything in your suitcase/backpack and you'll be so happy that you left room for that wooden giraffe you bought in Africa or that Matryoska that you painted in Russia (At the end of the voyage there's a "I Bought Too Much In Port" board where you can advertise to sell or give away any items that won't fit in your suitcase).

Some helpful items to pack-

Nalgene or other type of durable water bottle- I wouldn't suggest drinking the water in the majority of countries that you will visit. Fill your water bottle up in one of the dining rooms on the ship and carry it with you.

Lap-top- It's easy to forget that you will actually be taking classes during this voyage, and classes mean a slew of paper writing! Although the ship has a computer lab, it is often filled to capacity. It's nice to be able to work from the comfort of your own cabin.

Seasickness medicine- The ship has an endless supply of Meclizine located outside of the infirmary (right under the endless supply of condoms). If you are allergic to Meclizine or are unsure of how you will react to this medication, bring a more familiar medication that treats nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness. The ship is small compared to a cruise ship- there is lots of motion and you will definitely feel some symptoms of seasickness your first few days in the water.

Travel Alarm Clock- If you're like me, you use your cell phone for a wake-up alarm. Well cell phones are crappy in the middle of the ocean, and your first class begins a little after 9am. So make sure you're awake.

Extra Memory Card for Camera- You'll be taking a ton of pictures and you may not want to burn up all of your allotted internet minutes waiting for pictures to upload onto a website.

Money Belt- It's a wonderful investment. Sure, it's not the most stylish accessory, but it's a great way to keep all of your important documents and cash safe. Pickpockets are talented.

Give a copy of all your port addresses to your family and friends before you depart (Semester at Sea will provide this list for you). When you're away from home for 100 days, touring far-away lands, its always nice to get mail from loved ones. Additionally, loved ones would probably really appreciate mail/postcards from you as well. Before I left I wrote the addresses of friends and family on address labels and tucked them in my suitcase. Then all I would have to do is slap the sticker on a postcard or envelope. It saved some time and helped me keep track of who I wrote to.

Pay attention at pre-port briefings. Before you dock in each port Semester at Sea holds briefings that offer valuable information on the country. Ask questions. Find out if where you are traveling has any customs, practices, or conduct that you should adhere to. Do you bow in greeting or shake hands? Are there any specific dining rituals that you should know? No one wants to offend anyone and be labeled the 'rude American'.

Talk to locals. Tourist attractions are nice for pictures, but it's always fun to experience new places like a true local. Find out the best places to go that are off the beaten path-Immerse yourself in the culture.

Don't spend all your money on organized tours. Semester at Sea offers field programs which are tours and excursions that you pay for in advance. Sometimes the convenience of these pre-arranged programs are worth the price but, believe me, about 2 months in you'll be sick of group tours and you'll want to go out on your own or with a close group of friends. You may want to schedule several Semester at Sea field programs at the beginning of your voyage before you feel completely comfortable with arranging your own adventures.

Carry a Journal. Even if you don't feel like writing about your entire experience, at least keep some notes: Things you ate, places you stayed, names and contact information of the people you met along the way.

Stay Relatively Sober. It's dangerous to wander the streets of your hometown at night while inebriated. It's way more dangerous to drunkenly wander around a city that you are not familiar with. Additionally, many countries have stricter laws about drugs and crime. Don't put yourself in a bad situation. Stay smart and remember that you are not only representing Semester at Sea, but your entire country as well.

Have fun but remember it's not a pleasure cruise. Sure there's a bar, dance floor, pool, and spa on board. At times you may overlook the fact that you are on Semester at Sea to take classes and learn. There are a lot of distractions, but try to keep up with your work. No one wants to be the person stuck on the ship trying to frantically finish a 9 page paper while all of your friends are out exploring.

Be flexible. The Semester at Sea team advocates the 'F' word: Flexibility. Mishaps and hang-ups are bound to happen. Things won't always go your way. Don't let them discourage you. Just keep an open mind and make the best of the situation. You'll be sure to have memories that will last a lifetime.