CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
OUR MISSION
To educate individuals with
the global understanding
necessary to address the
challenges of our
interdependent world. With
the world as our classroom, our
unique shipboard program
integrates multiple-country study,
interdisciplinary coursework, and
hands-on field experiences for
meaningful engagement in the
global community.
OUR HISTORY
• Established in 1963
• A program of the non-profit Institute for
Shipboard Education
• University of Virginia is the academic
sponsor
• 111 voyages and counting
• Alumni: over 55,000 from 1,700 institutions
• Current Campus- The MV Explorer built in
2002, is one of the safest, fastest and most
technologically advanced ships afloat.
OUR CAMPUS
9 Classrooms
7 Decks
2 Dining Halls
2 Snack Bars
9,000 Volume Library
Computer Lab
Student Life desk
Union
Medical Clinic
Mental Health Center
Campus Store
Indoor/Outdoor Fitness
Center
• Spa/Pool Deck/Basketball
Court
• Deck 8 Observation deck
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LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITY:
THE “ACADEMICAL VILLAGE”
• Thomas Jefferson’s “Academical Village” - A place where
shared learning infuses daily life.
• 600-700 students
• 50-100 Lifelong Learners
• 100 faculty, staff and their family members
• Interport lecturers and students
• 200 multi-national crew members
CULTURE ADJUSTMENT CURVE
Preparing for Interactions
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Tolerance for ambiguity
Patience and respect
Being open-minded
You are representing your school, the USA
and home country
ON-SHIP POLICIES
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Student Code of Conduct
Alcohol and Drug Policies
Health and Safety On Board
Add/Drop
Health & Safety
If you have a chronic physical or mental health condition:
• Local resources
• Disclosure
• Prepare
• CAPS
• Clinic, Psychologist, Student Life Team
• How is it handled on and off the ship
• Disclosing information
HEALTH & SAFETY
If you manage your physical or mental
health condition with medication:
• Bring enough
• Proper documents and containers
• Ensure legality
HEALTH & SAFETY
• Medical History Form
– Submit by deadline
– Send directly to MHG Medical Consulting Services, Inc
• Email: ISE@mhgmedical.com
• Medications
– Yellow-Fever vaccination may be required for entry to
Ghana (semester voyages only)
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CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Talk with your travel clinic
Make sure to bring personal prescriptions
Seasickness: free Meclizine onboard
• Shipboard Medical Clinic/Mental Health Center
HEALTH & SAFETY
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Pre-Port
– Explain all in-country logistics
– Always have the Green Sheet
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Safety at Sea
– Respect ship rules
– Changes in itinerary
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Safety in Port
– Port Security
– Common sense with pre-port info
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Risk Assessment Resources
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The U.S. Department of State
Global risk agency ASI Group
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
SHIPBOARD LIFE
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Ship ID Card
Cabins
Demographics
Communication
– 125 Internet minutes
– SAS Email account (Gmail)
– Laptop strongly recommended
• Food and Drink
– 3 meals, 2 snacks (Buffet style)
– Two snack bars
• Laundry
– Wash, dry, fold-$6
– Wash, dry, press - $9
Shipboard Life
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Studying – Pace of Classes
Seasickness
Communication with home
Shipboard resources (meals, laundry, etc.)
SHIPBOARD FINANCES
• Bring some US Dollars
– Small bills for using in some markets
– Large bills for in country exchange
• Onboard Accounts
– Cashless society linked to a credit card
– Monthly statements delivers to cabin
• Accessing funds in port
– ATM / Debit Cards give the best exchange rate
– Know who’s charging fees
PROGRAM STRUCTURE: A DAYS, B
DAYS AND PORT DAYS!
• Classes meet on either "A" or "B" days almost every day that the ship is at
sea, including Saturday and Sunday. (Spring & Fall voyages)
• Classes meet every day that the ship is at sea during the Summer voyage.
• Once in port there is no class. Students will have the opportunity to
participate in a Field Lab, Field Excursion or travel independently.
TYPICAL DAY AT SEA
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7am –8:30 am – Breakfast
9am – Class/study/Break
10am – Class/Study/Break
11am – Class / Study / Break
12:00 – 1:30pm – Lunch
2pm – Class /Study / Break
3pm – Class / Study / Break
4pm – Class / Study / Break
5pm – 6:30pm – Dinner
7pm – 10pm - Homework /
Study Group/ Break /Check out
Crew Talent Show / Explorer
Seminars / Workout
10pm – Late night Snack!
SAMPLE COURSES
SAS Standard Courses
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World Art History
Marine Biology
International Marketing
World Theater and Performance
Development Economics
World Literature
Travel Writing
Introduction to Oceanography
The West and the World
Global Music
Theories of International Relations
Cross Cultural Psychology
World Religions
Race, Class, and Gender
Global Comparative Lens Courses
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Introduction to Anthropology
Nutrition Around the World
Religions of the World
Introduction to Comparative
Politics
Global Perspectives of Business
Ethics and Social Responsibility
International Law
Sustainable Global
Entrepreneurship
Development Economics
World Geography
COURSE OFFERINGS
• Standard Course
offering containing 74
courses
• Global Comparative
Lens Series offering 7-9
per voyage
• Two-Thirds of courses
are upper division
THE IN-PORT EXPERIENCE
– Field Labs
• Hands on classroom experience in-port
programs developed by faculty
• Required for each academic course.
• Account for 20% of each student’s grade.
• Full-day programs that fall on the first or
last day in port
– Field Programs
• Unique opportunities
• Accomplish a lot in a short period of time
• Cross-Cultural explorations
• Serve the community
– Faculty-led Trips (non-Field Labs)
– Independent Travel
• Shipboard Field Office
ABOUT THE PROGRAM FEES
What’s Included?
• Tuition—up to 15 semester
credits
• Housing (price varies by
cabin category)
• All meals aboard the ship
• All academically required
field labs
• Full-time, on-site
residential student services
staff
• Advisement and assistance
by ISE Student Services
Other costs to consider
• Overnight stay prior to
embarkation
• Flights to embarkation/from
debarkation
• Travel visas
• Textbooks
• Any appropriate vaccinations
• Between-meal food &
beverages while on board
• Laundry
• Independent travel
FINANCIAL AID
FACT: ISE AWARDS $4 MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID ANNUALLY.
V O Y A G E E L I G I B I L I TY
AID TYPE
AMOUNT
Presidential Scholars
Full Tuition
All Students
HBCU Scholarship
Full Tuition
>3.0 GPA, HBCU
C.Y. Tung Scholarship
$20,000
Enrolled in China Studies
Global Journalism & Integrated
Communication Fellowship
$5,000
Majoring in Journalism or
related field
Need-Based Grants
$500 –
$10,000
All Students
Merit Scholarships
$250 – $5,000
>3.0 GPA
Alumni Support Scholarships
$500 –
$10,000
>3.25 GPA
Work Study
$2,000 –
$4,000
All Students
NSCS Scholarship – “Scholar at Sea” $5,900 –
$10,000
I M P OR T A N T D A T E S
- FALL
NSCS members only
- SP R I N G
- S U MM E R
http://www.semesteratsea.org/admission-aid/financing-aid-scholarships/scholarships/
PAYMENT TO SEMESTER AT SEA
• SAS & CUA – have a direct bill agreement,
you DO NOT pay SAS, you will pay CUA
as you normally do.
• CUA will pay SAS the inside cabin rate on
your behalf, should you choose an outside
cabin, you will need to pay the difference
directly to SAS.
NOTABLE LECTURERS AND GUESTS
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SHRM King Mohamed VI (King of Morocco)
HRH Moulay Rachid (Prince of Morocco)
Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel Laureate)
Mother Teresa (Nobel Laureate)
Nelson Mandela (First President of South Africa,
Nobel Laureate)
Fidel Castro (Cuban President)
Anwar Sadat (Egyptian President)
Indira Gandhi (Indian Prime Minister)
Mikhail Gorbachev (USSR President)
Corazon Aquino (President of the Philippines)
Arthur C. Clark (Author of 2001: A Space
Odyssey)
Pete Peterson (First U.S. Ambassador to Viet
Nam)
C.H. Tung (first Chief Executive of Hong Kong
after end of British colonial rule)
SAS Alumni Tips
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Pack light (but the ship is cold!)
Make the most of your time
Represent SAS and America well
Be open-minded
Flexibility is key
ADMISSION RESOURCES
• Office of Admission – jfealey@semesteratsea.org or
800.854.0195
• Our website
– www.semesteratsea.org
– Visit your specific Voyage page
• Facebook!
– www.facebook.com/SemesteratSea
– Join your specific Voyage group (after admission)
SAS PRE –VOYAGE LOGISTICS
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Embarkation
Vaccinations (Yellow Fever/Malaria)
Visas
Course Registration
Field Program Registration and FDP’s
Packing
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Voyage Forms
• Check your MyPassport page
to verify your status.
 Medical History Form
 Passport Copy Received
 Passport-sized Photo
 Release/Consent, Code of Conduct, FERPA,
and UVa Honor Code Forms
 Updated Transcript (Unofficial transcript
showing Spring 2013 grades.)
 Emergency Contact Form
Travel Documents
• Required Travel
Documents
 Passport
 Visas – All US and Canadian
Passport Holders will need a visa
for Brazil and Ghana.)
 Immunizations
• Recommended
Documents
 Passport Card
EMBARKATION
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Port Address – Port of Southampton: Port of Southampton
Way.
Ocean Gate, Atlantic
• Parent’s Reception – June 15th
http://www.semesteratsea.org/event/summer-2014-bonvoyage-reception/
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Hotel Accommodation: See Discounted accommodations under
voyage calendar: http://www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/summer2014/calendar/
LEGAL ISSUES
• “But I’m from the U.S.” doesn’t work
• Cultural and religious issues
• Do your homework
– State Department Country Information
Sheets
– Other resources
YOUR
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME
IS NOW.
http://www.semesteratsea.org/2012/11/14/watch-and-share-semester-at-seasnew-promotional-video-your-once-in-a-lifetime-is-now/