Starting at Sea: A Gap Year Experience

Transcript

Let’s hear from Ruby, a gap year student. Ruby is starting her college career on this ship before starting college as a theater major. Ruby is using this time to discover more about the world and herself. Take it away, Ruby.

♪ Do, Re, Mi, Fa. ♪ Oh, hey Alex, and hey everyone! If you had told me a year ago that I’d be doing a semester sailing around the world as a 17-year-old, I either would’ve laughed in your face or been terrified, but going from high school to a semester at sea is the best decision I could have made. I’ve struggled with anxiety in high school but it came to a head during COVID, when I spent 10 months attending classes through my computer. So when I learned about SAS, I leapt at the opportunity. I can be as open-minded and educated as I want, but nothing can give you the global perspective you get sailing to 12 countries on three continents. I wanna gain a better understanding of the people that I share this Earth with so that I may be able to bring more love into it. And with every new country we visit, every connection I make, I fall more in love with life than I ever imagined was possible. The academic experience aboard the ship is really welcoming for gap year students. There are a ton of resources to help you get acclimated to a university environment, find community, and learn how to interact with cultures different from your own. And where else am I gonna take a world music class and then go into port and experience that music firsthand? I feel like I’ve grown so much in these past few months as a person, as an artist, and as a student of the world. I know that if I can learn to thrive in this environment, I can handle college. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.

Thanks, Ruby. “Semester at Sea” is so welcoming to any individual, no matter their personal journey. From gap year students to lifelong learners, post-graduate students, and everything in between. You’ll have no problem finding your place here on the waters.