UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 25, Page 13
March 25, 1993
Semester at Sea provides up-close view of the world

     For Kim Jones, a junior international relations major, and Linda
Natter, senior associate director in admissions, the world has never looked
the same since both embarked on an adventure aboard the SS Universe for a
Semester At Sea.
     Semester at Sea takes students from colleges and universities
throughout the United States for a semester they never forget. They visit
12-13 countries in 100 days and get a real, firsthand look at the world.
     Natter sailed in 1982 as a member of the ship's crew-a "glorified RA,"
as she puts it. Jones sailed during this past fall semester-exactly l0
years after Natter's voyage. Their experiences are remarkably similar.
     Jones said she chose Semester at Sea because she wanted to go away for
a semester but couldn't decide what country to visit.
     Natter sailed just after she finished graduate school with a degree in
college student personnel administration.
     Jones sailed from western Canada to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Turkey,
Russia, Spain, Venezuela and more, before returning to the U.S. in New
Orleans a few days before Christmas.
     Natter left from Seattle and visited Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong,
mainland China, Sri Lanka, India, Egypt, Turkey, Greece and arrived back in
Florida.
     The entire ship is outfitted like a university, complete with computer
lab, library, cafeteria, pub and a choice of three types of rooms. The
faculty are on sabbatical from major U.S. colleges and universities, often
bringing their families along.
     Jones took classes in economics, the psychology of women and Soviet
foreign policy while on board. Her credits transferred back to Delaware.
     Students also take a core course that teaches them about the countries
they will visit, learning all about the countries' money, dress and
customs.
     When the ship docks, they can take tours arranged by Semester at Sea
or do as Jones and Natter did and travel on their own with friends through
each country for four to six days.
     "The in-port experiences were incredible," Jones said. "In India, in
one of the smaller villages, a woman who was 20-exactly my age-had already
had five children. She couldn't understand how my parents and my boyfriend
could let me go around the world on my own. She lectured me on the value of
children. She had been married since she was 13."
     "It's incredible to be taking a class on women and Third World
countries and then actually visit those countries," Natter added. "It's one
thing to learn about it on the ship, but then to see it in action. It's
just indescribable.
     "Being able to travel to other countries and meet the people...so many
careers have been touched, so many lives changed. Being able to experience
those cultures, it's the best experience I've ever had in my life," Natter
said.
     Most of the people on board are college juniors and seniors who range
in age from 19 to 24, Jones said. While there is some financial aid
available, the price tag for the cruise is $12,000 for l00 days. Jones
said, $3,500 in spending money also is recommended.
     Semester at Sea is run by the University of Pittsburgh and the
Institute for Shipboard Education. Prospective students must maintain a
2.75 grade point average at their own college or university and must submit
a one-page essay with their application. Students from all majors are
welcomed.
     For more information, call 1-800-854-0195.
                                        -Beth Thomas