50 Days!

So amigos, there are a little less than 50 days until I leave for Semester at Sea. I can't believe it. That's only a month and a half.

Excited? Of course I am. Nervous? Quite a bit. Nervous-excited?? Exactly.

This Fall semester is coming to an end and everyone can feel it, especially my teachers apparently because they're going a little overboard with homework and projects. I am so ready for it all to be over so I can just focus on SAS. Thankfully, Thanksgiving break has arrived, and I'm home for the first time since July. It'll be the last time I see some of my friends and family in Davenport before I set sail on the MV Explorer.

Speaking of hometown friends, I ran into someone very special at the airport this morning on my way home. That special person is my dear friend Emma! We happened to bump into each other at the Minneapolis airport and I was so happy to see her. She was wearing her Semester at Sea shirt (she sailed on the Summer 2010 Voyage) so of course we talked all about it. I love talking to Emma about SAS. I'm sure we could talk about it for days. She gave me some very helpful tips as always.

My chance encounter with Emma kicked off a Thanksgiving break devoted to preparing for my big trip. I had to go to the dentist today and I HATE going to the dentist--no one can say that I'm not dedicated to SAS. Next on my list of things to do is get a new laptop, get some rolling duffels, plan and purchase field practica, get new glasses...basically I have to get a lot of stuff. I've already gotten my perscriptions for the trip and some snacks and toilettries for the ship that I've put in my "Semester at Sea Treasure Chest".

It's been a lot of fun filling it up.

Don't let my treasure chest fool you. I still have plenty more to get but at least I've started.

Black Friday, here I come. :)

Until next time,

Anna

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Semester Before the Sea

This semester has been a whirlwind of busyness. I've had so much trouble managing my time to fit in the work I need to do for my 6 classes, 2 jobs, numerous extracurricular activities, AND all of the preparation work that I need to do for Semester at Sea. In many cases, the situation comes down to me choosing or sacrificing between one or the other. Today is the perfect example. I had two very important exams to take today, as well as a French class to attend--on top of that I had my final inoculation appointment with my physician. My first test was supposed to end at 10:30--inconveniently at the same time I was supposed to be at my appointment. Well of course I had a few setbacks after my test and ended up arriving over 30 minutes late to my appointment. Then I had to wait over 2 hours for my appointment to even start, missing my french class in the process. Thankfully, I made it back in time for my second exam...

I've been getting so frustrated this semester because I literally can't do it all, yet I have to. My predicament is the definition of overwhelming. I want to dedicate more time to planning my trip. I want to spend more time getting ahead with my assignments and studying. I want to work more. I would love to hang out with my friends more often or just have a night to chill without doing anything...but I can't. There's not enough time in the day.

Trust me, I don't like to complain. Nor do I like to admit weaknesses, but I've really struggled this semester. It's hard to look at the bigger picture and realize that all of this will pass. Not only that, but I'll be spending next semester seeing the world. Who gets to say that? Who gets the opportunity to do what I'm about to do with Semester at Sea? I'm so lucky, yet I spend so much time worrying and stressing about everything.

I just hope this realization will start to sink in, and I'll be able to relax more. 
 
~Anna

Who's Ready for Some Adventure?

Welcome to my journey—my journey around the world and to self discovery. That last sentence is probably the most cliché thing that I could say, but in this instance, I believe it is totally acceptable because this Spring, I will travel abroad with Semester at Sea. If you’re not familiar with the program, Semester at Sea is a unique study abroad experience where students from all over the country take classes on a ship—aka the MV Explorer—while simultaneously circling the entire globe.  Along the way we stop in some pretty exciting ports. I call SAS a unique program because everything we learn in our classes while onboard will coincide with whatever country we go to next. For example, say I’m taking an economics class on the ship (thank goodness I’m not). As we travel to China, my economics class would shift focus specifically to the economy of China, and when you get there, the information you learn from class comes alive.  Cool, huh?
     
Well, you have not joined me in the beginning of this process, but that’s not such big deal. I’ll do my best to fill you in on what’s been going on so far. I won’t do it all at once but don’t worry; you’ll be caught up in no time!
     
Surprisingly, I first heard about Semester at Sea when I was about nine years old. I was secretly addicted to MTV at the time and they aired a show called Road Rules. Long story short, one particular cast of Road Rules went on Semester at Sea. Believe it or not, this show really left an impression on me. After seeing all of the different cultures and experiences that these students were exposed to on their travels around the world, I formulated a new dream within me: to see the world for myself.
     
Years later, sometime during my freshman year of college, Semester at Sea made another cameo in my life through my friend Emma. On a lunch date she informed me that she had applied for a summer voyage and then we couldn’t stop talking about how cool it was. After that I did my own research on SAS. I looked at the website constantly in my free time, attended study abroad fairs, read blogs from past SAS-ers. Despite the financial stress, SAS seemed possible for me, it seemed right for me.
Skipping to the present, I’ve applied, been accepted, and taken numerous steps to sail on the Spring 2011 Voyage. It’s been a tough process so far, but one that I know will pay off in the end. Here’s a little piece of my application essay that I want to share:
    
“I believe that I will learn the most about myself when I am out of my element. Through Semester at Sea, I hope to completely immerse myself in a new situation that will help me grow as an individual, as a student, and as a broadcaster. By stepping outside of my comfort zone, I will have a better understanding of, not only the world, but of myself. I strive to wake up each day with an excitement for life and discovery. And Semester at Sea provides the ultimate wake up call.”
     
I am so excited to step out of my comfort zone and see the world, and I want to bring as many people along for the ride that want to, through this blog :]

~Anna

p.s.  I am a recipient of the Diversity Abroad Scholarship. Special thanks to Gretchen Bies for helping me find my inspiration. 
Here's my video essay: