Semester at Sea program offers different destination

When students at IU consider going abroad, some think of the traditional countries first. Places like England, France and Italy are consistently at the top of the list. But 10 IU students decided to forego studying in these countries. Instead, they're spending this semester aboard the MV Explorer, a ship from the Semester at Sea program. \nThe Semester at Sea program travels to non-traditional locales. Paul Watson, the director of enrollment management for the Institute for Shipboard Education, said students are increasingly choosing to study in developing countries instead of Western Europe. \nOne of the reasons for this change is the increase in globalization, Watson said.\n"The importance of (Third World) countries is being recognized," he said.\nAmong other places, the program has visited Vietnam, China, India and Kenya this semester. \n"We want to assemble countries that have diverse cultures," Watson said.\nSenior Danielle Patton, currently on the MV Explorer, said she appreciates traveling to countries out of the ordinary. \n"The countries on the itinerary are places that I would not think to visit on my own," Patton said. While in Kenya, Patton got to go on a four-day safari, where she said she "saw every animal imaginable." \nJunior Michael Schuler is on the ship and said Vietnam was one of his favorite countries. \n"It was everything I did not expect," he said. "Most of what we learn about Vietnam relates to the war and not to the amazing society that has developed since its conclusion." \nSome students choose the Semester at Sea program to be different from other students studying abroad. Others couldn't decide where they wanted to go and decided this would be a great way to see more than one country. \n"I enjoy waking up every day and being somewhere completely different from the day before," Schuler said.\nThe Semester at Sea program hopes to show the students cultures that are radically different from their own experiences, Watson said. \n"After seeing how women are treated in other countries made me realize how lucky I am to be an American woman," said sophomore Rebecca Cohn. \nIndia had the biggest impact on her so far, Patton said. \n"The experience taught me how very fortunate I am," she said.\nThe students use a comparative approach when spending time in the various countries, Watson said. Through their courses, they look at conflicts between countries and see what ties the cultures together, he said.\n"It is amazing to be able to visit these countries back-to-back and compare and contrast their unique cultures and traditions," Patton said. \nThe students are also beginning to appreciate what these places have to offer, despite their economic instability.\n"I really enjoyed the people and the culture in Cambodia," Cohn said. "For a country that has so much turmoil, the people are incredible." \nSchuler said he has learned much more about Third World countries than just their financial problems.\n"There are people, values and history underlying each country that makes it unique," he said. \nBut some of the countries were difficult to visit, some of the students said. For Patton, "the poverty and sadness (in India) were overwhelming," she said.\n"It's one thing to read about the number of starving people in the world and another to see young children begging for food," Cohn said. "It's hard when you see so many people suffering and you know no matter what you do it's not enough."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Sarah Walden at sawalden@indiana.edu.