<p>Has anyone have the experience in SAS--Semester at Sea program?</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t know anything about Semester at Sea, however I did hear a Macalester admissions rep. say that they support virtually any study abroad program EXCEPT Semester at Sea. So I’d make sure that your school feels that it is a viable program. Sorry…</p>
<p>My friend did it, and his feedback seemed more like “party abroad” than a true study abroad experience. </p>
<p>Study abroad appeals to me because you spend several months experiencing a different way of life. From my understanding, semester-at-sea is a string of destinations, full of tourist venues and quicky tours before you jump back on the ship for the next city. Doesn’t sound too culturally-enlightening to me.</p>
<p>My D wanted to do it and we (parents) vetoed it. We thought it seemed more like a party experience. Totally agree with ^ guanyin.</p>
<p>So D is abroad this semester in Europe. She is having a wonderful time and traveling as much as possible. Her program is also very rigorous, so she is definitely still required to do college level work.</p>
<p>We skyped with her yesterday, Thanksgiving, and she had just finished her Independent Study paper for the semester. Her paper is 52 pages long. She had to give an oral presentation today (w/ power points etc.) </p>
<p>This is hardly an easy program. Yet, she has had a wonderful time, traveled a lot and made good friends from schools all over the USA.</p>
<p>Also, what happens if you are person who gets seasick?</p>
<p>My college also did not take Semester at Sea credit; I asked about it. It was one of the few study abroad programs whose credit it did not accept. The explanation was that study abroad was supposed to be a time to be immersed in one particular culture, learning about living in different places; she said that Semester at Sea was more like a cruise during which you got quantity, not quality.</p>
<p>I studied abroad for a semester in the Netherlands instead, and I’m glad I did. I wish I had studied abroad for a whole year; becoming immersed in another culture is really an experience that is not to be missed.</p>