In a couple of weeks, I will embark on a life-changing #RTW trip with the Semester at Sea study abroad program and I couldn’t be any more excited. When I first heard about it, the idea stuck in my travel obsessed brain. I started college, worked incredibly hard towards a good GPA in order to get accepted for Semester at Sea. Once I did, I was ecstatic, my dream was finally coming true. The months that followed, the preparation for a long trip was tough, and to be honest overwhelming. I had to endure doctor appointments, endure shots for the Yellow Fever Vaccine, Polio Boosters, Tetanus shots, as well as get the Typhoid, and Malaria pills.. I felt like a human science project. I was incredibly nervous about the side effects and the warnings given by my doctors on what to do and not to do in each country. But it is all worth it.. I will be traveling around the world!
Semester at Sea is a college study abroad program. Think of it this way; a floating campus, where the classroom is the world. During the days at sea, we go to regular classroom, taught by professors. I also love how the classes relates to travel, Global perspectives, History of the 21st Century, Oceanography, Global Studies, and Travel writings are just some of the classes that they offer. Now, this is my kind of school..
As of January 12th, I will begin a three month journey around the world..
my itinerary is:
* Nassau, Bahamas
* Roseau, Dominica
* Manaus, Brazil
* Takoradi, Ghana
* Cape Town, South Africa
* Port Louis, Mauritius
* Chennai, India
* Singapore
* Ho Chi Minh, City, Vietnam
* Hong Kong/Shanghai, China
* Kobe/Yokohama, Japan
* Hilo, Hawaii
* San Diego, CA USA
As far as what I will do in these countries- I have no idea. I have only planned two trips in Dominica, and Brazil. I signed up for an snorkeling adventure in the Champagne Reef in Dominica, and a night-time jungle exploration in the Amazon, in Brazil. I do have many ideas for what to do in several the ports, but at the moment it seems to be I will be “winging” it..
Now, since I am Deaf, many of you may be wondering how the heck am I going to be able to the classes? What most people don’t realize is that many study abroad programs do not have professional Interpreters on hand, there simply isn’t much of a demand for them. I hope to change that. Luckily, I convinced one of my best friends to apply for the program. She also got accepted and she will be also be my interpreter for my classes. How lucky am I? To have a friend willing to travel around the world with me, and to help me out with my classes.
I know most people say traveling with others can put a strain on friendships, I fully understand the risk. But if we were able to survive a fire evacuation of our hometown and be stranded on houseboat for three weeks with her family. I think we’ll be fine..
If anyone has any recommendations, or advice on traveling with Semester at Sea, or about some of the ports we will be in. It would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks
T.S Elliot once said “Turn things you’ve always wanted to do, into things you’ve done” and I have to say I am looking forward to crossing off #RTW trip off the EpicQuest list(or in other words the Bucket List)
Happy Travels
11 comments
How exciting! I have always wanted to do the semester at sea thing but for some reason I was afraid when I was in college. As for your friend willing to be your interpreter, she sounds like a keeper!
Super stoked for you! And I agree, your friend is truly remarkable as well.
Looking forward to following your travels.
Cheers
Saw that Semester at Sea retweeted this on Twitter. I went on SAS during summer 2009. It was hands down the best experience of my life. Just a hint from a fellow SAS’er, check the back of the poster on your cabin’s wall. There are tons and tons of tips that previous sailers have written! Have an amazing time.
Jenny
SAS A09
Cherie,
I am a life long learner on the voyage and I will be excited to meet you! Feel free to come up to my husband and me with your friend so we can connect!
This is going to be such a great adventure! I can’t wait to follow along via your blog, FB and Twitter. Have fun!
Your blog is very interesting. Your journey is so nice with all most half world visit. its nice to travel this places in this ship.
travel recommendations
This just shows that being deaf should not be an excuse not to go on such exciting adventures! I hope I can go to all those places too.
Dear Chérie,
I just want to a leave a comment on how inspiring you have been. You have surpassed the average difficulty of your disability and have gone on to achieve great things like school and travel to remote places that requires alot of sense perception and brain fluctuation. I would encourage you to continue to do what you are doing and be a positive force for change and accomplishment to those who think that they ‘can’t do it’ because you have proven that whatever difficulties lie ahead of us, we can surpass them. Thank you very much for what you are doing and may God bless in your life, travels and other endeavors.
My friend, who is deaf, has been to over fifty countries while he was in his twenties and early thirties. And still travels. You remind me of him… Like the younger female version. Lol
Your adventures are really inspiring to me! Im a 16 year old from New York and I can not wait any longer to continue my travels. My goal in life is to never stop adventuring; I know this sounds cliché and millions of people say it every minute but i truly mean it. Ive been looking up different colleges and fields that will let me do this. I have already travelled to the islands in the Dominican, Ireland, California, Arizona and all along the east coast (I went to California and Ireland alone). Blogs like yours really inspire me because it proves that this is truly a lifestyle. Many people fall into the routine of 1. Go to college 2. Find a good job 3. Get married 4. Have kids 5. Buy a house 6. Die. My parents believe im just a kid living in my imagination but i want I want more out of life than average, and i will get it. I am so determined to see whatever i can in the world until the day i die. I am in love with everything the word “Travel” has to offer. I understand not everything is gonna be easy but i am 100% ok with that. My joy for the future wont ever be contained. If you see this please write back!
That is really inspiring, I also fond of Travelling and Photography will start exploring soon
thanks .