The activities fair was scheduled to begin at 7:30. I was there right on time and the line already snaked through the Union and down the corridor of the ship. Students, Lifelong Learners, staff, and faculty crowded the tables to sign up for activities and groups ranging from salsa dancing to study groups. A “create your own activity” table drew huge numbers as well, with suggestions including a Morning Talk Show, an Investment Club, and an Environmental Awareness Group.Another big hit was the Extended Family Program, run by Lifelong Learners Coordinator Susie Brazas. Personally, this is one of the groups I am most excited about participating in. Students who signed up (looks like around 500!) will be paired up with a Lifelong Learner, faculty member, or staff member so that everyone on board will always have someone to go to with problems, celebrate a birthday with, or just have a good time. As someone who came to Semester at Sea by myself, I can’t wait to meet my “extended family!”
This is just one of the many great aspects of the Semester at Sea community. Students have only been here a few days and they are already beginning to notice some of the extra benefits of being on a shipboard campus. One student from University of Maryland, Greg Lessans, discovered a surprising bonus to being “unplugged” without a cell phone. For Greg, this has meant that when he wants to find someone, he just goes out and looks for them and in the course of doing so, he will inevitably meet new people just walking through the ship. For Zachary Grasmick, a student from UC Boulder, it has been great just running into faculty and students throughout the day. As Lia Albini of the University of Connecticut put it, “No one leaves the ship. We’re just here and we get to know everyone. At the end of the day, we’re all home.”
Photos by SAS Photographer John Weakley
Posts
