Semester At Sea Program
Aug 13th, 2003, 10:59 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Semester At Sea Program
Is anyone familiar with this program? Any comments, first-hand experience, or know of anyone's? I have looked at their website and know it is accredited as well as one similar in name called Seamester at Sea. I am wondering if this would be a good thing for my kids at some point.
I have looked at the study abroad threads and there is a reference to it. I really enjoyed the diversity of thoughts on education and travel. It seems the best solution depends on each individual case. I am giving this all a lot of thought as I want my kids to have their first exposure to Europe sooner rather than later, but am having a hard time deciding when and how.
I have looked at the study abroad threads and there is a reference to it. I really enjoyed the diversity of thoughts on education and travel. It seems the best solution depends on each individual case. I am giving this all a lot of thought as I want my kids to have their first exposure to Europe sooner rather than later, but am having a hard time deciding when and how.
Aug 13th, 2003, 11:29 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yes,I personally(since she was born and the best friend of my daughter) know the person in charge of the SAS program at PITT U in Pittsburgh, Pa.--if interested I'll forward info...the woman is a grad of PITT and went on the SAS herself and continues to go personally to ck on things...the program is exellant..
Aug 13th, 2003, 11:58 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,449
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I crewed several years ago on a tall ship with a woman, who at least at the time, was involved in a semester at sea program for a schooner called the Harvey Gamage. (She ran the foundation that managed the program.)
The Gamage is a 130 foot replica of a 19th Century coastal schooner. I found the link that gives information on their program. If your kids want to try something different, sailing on a tall ship and climbing into th rigging, is a truely memorable and unique and memorable experience.
http://www.oceanclassroom.org/OceanClassroom.html
The Gamage is a 130 foot replica of a 19th Century coastal schooner. I found the link that gives information on their program. If your kids want to try something different, sailing on a tall ship and climbing into th rigging, is a truely memorable and unique and memorable experience.
http://www.oceanclassroom.org/OceanClassroom.html
Aug 13th, 2003, 07:29 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
God for bid that I said Pitt U instead of University of Pittsburgh...what is the big deal?..I said PITT !!!!!!!...think people would have better things to do than RIP on someone trying to help.....I stopped giving any info for awhile because of that reason..guess I'll stop again...
Aug 13th, 2003, 09:50 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1. One wants to be precise when referring to specific universities that sponsor these types of programs. Although I'm sure a letter sent to "Semester at Sea, PITT U., Pittsburgh PA" would get to the SAS office, it would just seem kind of sloppy, wouldn't it?
I, after all, attended the University of Pittsburgh. I tell people that because there was a cruel little saying among the locals: "Pitt. Rhymes with sh#t and it's no coincidence!"
2. I was acquainted with one of the originatores of the SAS program, one Angi Yucas. I don't know if she's still involved with the program-- in fact she might have left Pitt (see? Now we can use the abbrev) some years ago.
3. Lighten up, please. Don't slink away because of someone clarifying your advice (which was correct, after all). You seem to be a Pittsburgh expert, and since the ol' Burgh is such a mystery to most outsiders, your knowledge is very useful to visitors. I moved away 18 years ago and never went back voluntarily, so I'm no help in Pittsburgh.
Now, if it sounded mean, I'm sorry, truly. Can we just all get along?
I, after all, attended the University of Pittsburgh. I tell people that because there was a cruel little saying among the locals: "Pitt. Rhymes with sh#t and it's no coincidence!"
2. I was acquainted with one of the originatores of the SAS program, one Angi Yucas. I don't know if she's still involved with the program-- in fact she might have left Pitt (see? Now we can use the abbrev) some years ago.
3. Lighten up, please. Don't slink away because of someone clarifying your advice (which was correct, after all). You seem to be a Pittsburgh expert, and since the ol' Burgh is such a mystery to most outsiders, your knowledge is very useful to visitors. I moved away 18 years ago and never went back voluntarily, so I'm no help in Pittsburgh.
Now, if it sounded mean, I'm sorry, truly. Can we just all get along?
Aug 14th, 2003, 12:03 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So sorry it's taken me so long to get back here. I am delighted and appreciative to hear from anyone. I will stay out of the skirmish as I am far from PA and know nothing about any Univ. there. I am just interested in the quality of the program and knowing that it is accredited so it is transferable.
GoTravel: On the SAS website, I read a letter that a student sent to MTV expressing dismay and alleging a gross misrepresentation of the program. I hope it isn't true. I didn't see it, but I would not make any decisions based on that alone.
To help: What are the odds that I would so randomly link to someone with such close personal contact. I did look at the site and wouldn't hesitate to call with any questions. However, I am hoping for some outside perspectives rather than politically correct answers to some of my questions i.e.
1) Is it a diverse group of kids there, socially, economically, academically? What is the range?
2) I read on the site that there was a bar onboard and due to some recent incidents it may go away. Is drinking rampant? What about drugs? I know all that is available at any campus anywhere, but this group is limited to a much smaller population.
3) Is there a best time to go? Summer before college, first, middle, or later years in college?
4) How does it compare to the other similar program with almost the same name - different spelling - Seamester at Sea?
5) Any other general useful info that can't be found on a website.
I'm in no huge hurry, so whenever you find out anything if you don't already know, I'd love to hear. Thank you so much!
GoTravel: On the SAS website, I read a letter that a student sent to MTV expressing dismay and alleging a gross misrepresentation of the program. I hope it isn't true. I didn't see it, but I would not make any decisions based on that alone.
To help: What are the odds that I would so randomly link to someone with such close personal contact. I did look at the site and wouldn't hesitate to call with any questions. However, I am hoping for some outside perspectives rather than politically correct answers to some of my questions i.e.
1) Is it a diverse group of kids there, socially, economically, academically? What is the range?
2) I read on the site that there was a bar onboard and due to some recent incidents it may go away. Is drinking rampant? What about drugs? I know all that is available at any campus anywhere, but this group is limited to a much smaller population.
3) Is there a best time to go? Summer before college, first, middle, or later years in college?
4) How does it compare to the other similar program with almost the same name - different spelling - Seamester at Sea?
5) Any other general useful info that can't be found on a website.
I'm in no huge hurry, so whenever you find out anything if you don't already know, I'd love to hear. Thank you so much!
Aug 14th, 2003, 12:13 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And Ryan: I didn't mean to post before I addresed you to. Thank you for taking the time to dig up the site for me. We will sure look at it. We are very novice when it comes to nautical things. We only have experience with power boats and jetski's etc. My sister and her husband are avid *** (gosh, what's the word??). They own a sailboat and love sailing. Thier passion for it was instrumental in their decision to take a job and move recently far from home to near the coast of CT. We sailed with them a few times and my son especially enjoyed it. He would have liked to learned more about it, but had too many irons in the fire to pursue it at the time.
Thanks again and we will look at the site!
Aug 14th, 2003, 03:39 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My cousin went last summer and seemed to have a good time. She wrote e-mails regularly to keep us all informed of her adventures. Some of my answers are guesses based on things she has mentioned.
Diverse kids from all over yes, but I would not say economically, it is an expensive program. I would also bet academically they are among the best students but with different majors though probably a majority are in the liberal arts areas.
I didn't hear about any drinking or drugs but she was writing to family (including grandparents) so she may not have mentioned that, plus she isn't much of a drinker. Her crew was Greek and they ate lots of greek food (she was glad to eat something without dill).
She is a good student, 4.0 in high school and doing well in college. She said she was surprised how difficult and how much they had to do homework-wise. Personally, I think older is better because sometimes younger students get a taste of freedom and go a bit wild. The students have lots of free time on their own and those that have already had freedom away from parents etc. are probably less likely to cause themselves harm. Of course that depends on the individual but I have seen some great kids go wild for a few years (they still end up ok though!). Cousin went for summer so it didn't disrupt her schooling but I would consider weather on the voyage they are looking at, I don't think it probably matters that much as long as they aren't trying to get finished in X amount of time and can allow for flexibility in graduating.
I don't know about comparisons...
I think overall she had a great time. She went after her sophomore year. She did go with a friend so she knew at least one person. She did meet new people on the trip and I think still stays in touch with some of them. Personally, I think you have to have a child that is an adventurer, willing to try new things, go new places. There was lots of different food and if they are picky then it would be awful. If they are timid and leary of new places and languages then I don't think it would be good. I was very envious of her trip, it sounded wonderful and I hope to be able to offer my child(ren) something like that if it sounds fun to them.
One other thing I liked is that it is shorter. To study abroad for an entire year was way too long for me to be gone, I admit I am a homebody who loves to travel for about 3 weeks max! So this is a compromise length of time. I don't think they can ever travel abroad too early, take them now.
Phew! Babble, babble, hope I was a little helpful!
Diverse kids from all over yes, but I would not say economically, it is an expensive program. I would also bet academically they are among the best students but with different majors though probably a majority are in the liberal arts areas.
I didn't hear about any drinking or drugs but she was writing to family (including grandparents) so she may not have mentioned that, plus she isn't much of a drinker. Her crew was Greek and they ate lots of greek food (she was glad to eat something without dill).
She is a good student, 4.0 in high school and doing well in college. She said she was surprised how difficult and how much they had to do homework-wise. Personally, I think older is better because sometimes younger students get a taste of freedom and go a bit wild. The students have lots of free time on their own and those that have already had freedom away from parents etc. are probably less likely to cause themselves harm. Of course that depends on the individual but I have seen some great kids go wild for a few years (they still end up ok though!). Cousin went for summer so it didn't disrupt her schooling but I would consider weather on the voyage they are looking at, I don't think it probably matters that much as long as they aren't trying to get finished in X amount of time and can allow for flexibility in graduating.
I don't know about comparisons...
I think overall she had a great time. She went after her sophomore year. She did go with a friend so she knew at least one person. She did meet new people on the trip and I think still stays in touch with some of them. Personally, I think you have to have a child that is an adventurer, willing to try new things, go new places. There was lots of different food and if they are picky then it would be awful. If they are timid and leary of new places and languages then I don't think it would be good. I was very envious of her trip, it sounded wonderful and I hope to be able to offer my child(ren) something like that if it sounds fun to them.
One other thing I liked is that it is shorter. To study abroad for an entire year was way too long for me to be gone, I admit I am a homebody who loves to travel for about 3 weeks max! So this is a compromise length of time. I don't think they can ever travel abroad too early, take them now.
Phew! Babble, babble, hope I was a little helpful!
Aug 14th, 2003, 05:57 PM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
saralm: thank you! That is just the kind of information I am looking for. My teens didn't even know about such a program, and I have only vaguely mentioned it until I know more. They may hate the idea. They are average students really albeit in a strong school academically, but if they ever lock in on something... look out! They have so much potential. I would want them to be in an environ where academics is taken seriously, but not so over their head that they are like a fish out of water. Then of course, they probably wouldn't be accepted in the first place.
We keep strong boundaries with our kids in high school. They have fun, but don't have all the freedom that many do like no curfews, etc. so I expect them to stretch their legs a little when they are on their own but not at the expense of school totally.
I am eager to expose them to the world to broaden their persepectives and hopefully find what makes them happiest. They have traveled a lot in the U.S., Mexico, etc. but not to Europe. They are only slightly interested after hearing me babble about what all I learn here. They probably think there must be something worthwhile over there, but haven't dove in yet.
I once thought I had broke through to them when my daughter announced that she would love to go to Spain. It turns out, she saw a clip at school about the festival where they throw the tomatoes and she thought it looked so cool and fun. Yuck! She loves crowds too. Oh well, it's a start! She's not yet in awe of antiquities, history, art, and architecture (unless it's very modern contemporary - think Cantoni Furniture store and like-styled buildings.) I hope fellow Fodorites will direct me to what she should see over there to suit her taste too.
No apologies, please, I am long- winded too. Thanks again for sharing!
