In less than a month, I will embark on a journey many only dream of taking. I will be studying abroad on a program called the Semester at Sea. It is sponsored by the University of Virginia, thus it requires me to take a leave of absence from Penn State for the semester. There will be about 500 other students on board representing over 200 schools and almost 50 countries. What used to be used as lounges on a small cruise ship, has been converted to classrooms. I will be taking four courses for the semester: Astronomy, Oceanography, Intro to Drawing, and a Global Studies course that is required for all students. I have sent in pre-sale paperwork for excursions including an observatory in Hawaii, Hiroshima in Japan, an overnight trip to Cambodia when I get to Vietnam, and a three day Amazon riverboat trip in Brazil. I hope to pair up with other students to travel individually and sign up for volunteer opportunities when I get on the ship.

It has been a tremendous amount of paperwork and the thought of being at sea for so many days is exciting yet scary. However, it will certainly be worth it. I hope you all stay tuned and come sail away with me to the unknown and intriguing destinations planed.