Namibia!

Tomorrow morning, the MV Explorer will be arriving in Walvis Bay, Namibia. We received our Logistical Pre-port Presentation earlier tonight which covered all of the information we will need for our visit from the currency exchange, to health advice, to the best way to find a taxi. Tomorrow morning, U.S. diplomats will come aboard to present on some of Namibia's history, culture, and the current political situation.

An interesting fact is that we will represent about 10% of all Americans who visit Namibia this year. I think that this truly highlights what ISE President and Executive Dean Les McCabe said tonight when he remarked that, “Every time we step foot off of this ship, we are world ambassadors.” As much as I have talked about how much the SAS Voyagers have gained and experienced from our port visits, it is important to remember that the people we encounter learn just as much from us. For some of the places that we will be going, Semester at Sea students could be the first or only Americans that some of the locals have met before. While some may see this as a responsibility that Voyagers must bear, I think that it is a great opportunity to showcase our amazing academic journey and try to give back to our hosts as much as we learn and receive from them.


Photos by SAS Photographer John Weakley