Imagine spending 66 days visiting 10 countries in Europe with your family this summer. Kara Williams is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!
Tell us about Semester at Sea and how did you hear about it?
Semester at Sea (www.semesteratsea.org) is a “study abroad” program that focuses on global comparative studies. College students from all over the world travel to different ports of call (depending on the semester) aboard a ship called the M/V Explorer, taking classes that earn them up to 15 credits per semester from the University of Virginia — which then usually transfer over to their own colleges. My husband was a college student aboard a Semester at Sea ship in 1987. For him, traveling around the world at age 20 was a life-changing experience; he talks about his SAS adventures regularly. I didn’t realize that there are jobs aboard the M/V Explorer for non-teaching staff, until my pal Kristin Luna, a travel blogger, worked as a Field Office Coordinator on the Fall 2011 Voyage. She documented her experience on her blog Camels and Chocolate, and I followed along for four months. Midway through her semester I started applying for jobs with Semester at Sea. I applied for seven different voyages before I finally landed a job!
What exactly will you be doing?
I am working as the Communications Coordinator for the Summer 2014 Voyage, which is 66 days long, visiting 10 countries in Europe. This is a shorter term than the Fall and Spring Voyages, which are closer to 100 days and typically circumnavigate the globe. My main role in this position is sharing the ship’s stories on the SAS News for the Helm blog. I’ll work closely with a professional photographer and videographer, and I’ll also oversee some work-study students who will contribute to the blog, too.
What countries are you and your family most excited to visit?
I am so fortunate my husband, my 14-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son can come along on this adventure! I think we’re most excited about docking in St. Petersburg, Russia. To us, it’s the most “exotic” locale–and my son wants to purchase one of those Russian fur hats with ear flaps. My husband has never been to any Scandinavian countries, so he’s looking forward to those (Finland, Sweden, Norway); I’m eager to stop in Gdansk, Poland, since I have some Polish heritage. My children have never been to Europe, so, for them, this trip is huge!
How long do you stay in each port? Will you be mostly working or able to enjoy time with your family?
Roughly, we’re at sea for three days and in each port for about 4 days. While we’re at sea, the children will have some enrichment and cultural activities organized by the Dependent Children Coordinator (there will be other kids of staff and professors on board), and my husband will be their primary caregiver, while I’m reporting and writing for my job. Otherwise the three of them get to play and enjoy the ship’s amenities (sports court, gym, quiet reading spaces, spa and salon, small pool). When we’re in port, I may be going on some Field Labs (required class field trips) or Field Programs (optional “shore excursions” that cost a fee per person) to report on them for the SAS blog. But if I’m not “on assignment” I’ll be able to plan sightseeing with my family. We are planning on a mix of independent travel and organized Field Programs with other SASers.
What sort of preparation have you done for the summer?
To enter Russia, we had to apply for tourist visas online, which was a little time consuming and expensive (will cost $1200 for the four of us just to step into the country). We’ve done some research of each port, and have an idea of what the things we definitely want to see (and eat!) in each port. Each of us had to get medically cleared to sail, so that involved all four of us piling into our family doctor’s office to confirm, yes, we’re healthy. We’ve secured a housesitter, who will water our plants and mow our lawn, and a relative who will collect our mail and pay any bills that might come in while were gone.
Are you and your husband taking some kind of a sabbatical in order to do this?
Where can we follow your adventures?
Keep an eye on The Vacation Gals–as well as my Twitter and Instagram feeds–I’ll update them as often as possible!
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
Mara
I dream of traveling Europe with my family and what a way to do it.
Candance
I did Semester at Sea when I was younger and it was life changing. I wouldn’t want to do one of their really long excursions but 66 days sounds about right. How are the kids going to stay entertained on the boat?
Kara
Hi Candance,
Kids have two sessions of “dependent children” activities each day we are at sea — one in morning and one in afternoon. I envision lots of playtime (volleyball, basketball) on the ship’s sports court. They will also attend any pre-port lectures to learn a bit about culture of each country (they may also do some kids’ activities pertaining to each country). We will have more than 20 children ranging in age from 2 to 16 on board!