Semester at Sea is thrilled to spotlight two incredible students, Julia Bronneberg and Macy DeGraw, whose inspiring journey aboard the Fall 2024 Voyage has been featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Latitudes newsletter. As junior biology majors from Gallaudet University, Julia and Macy are among the first Deaf students to participate in our shipboard study abroad program, proving that inclusivity and resilience know no bounds.
Over the course of the voyage, they will travel to 8 countries, engage in fieldwork, and foster a greater understanding of global Deaf communities. Their experiences highlight both the privileges and challenges of being Deaf in different cultural contexts and underscore the importance of accessibility in education worldwide.
In addition to their academic pursuits, Julia and Macy founded an American Sign Language club aboard the ship, drawing over 180 participants from the shipboard community. They have also shared their adventures and insights through their YouTube channel, Sailing in Silence, inspiring a broader audience to see the world through their unique lens.
Read an excerpt from the article below:
‘We want to break the statistics’
Julia Bronneberg and Macy DeGraw have spent the past three months traveling to Europe, Africa, and Asia with Semester at Sea, the shipboard study-abroad program.
By the time their voyage ends on December 22, they will have visited 10 countries, doing field work in each destination to better understand the culture and environment. In between stops, they study ecology, global studies, oceanography, and geography with other on-board classmates.
The women, both junior biology majors at Gallaudet University, have also met with Deaf leaders in every country they visit — a chance not just to learn about another culture but to understand more about the Deaf community around the world.
Read the full article from The Chronicle of Higher Education here.
Join Us in Celebrating Their Achievements
Semester at Sea is proud to support a diverse and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive. Julia and Macy’s story exemplifies the transformative power of education and travel, inspiring us all to expand our horizons and embrace new perspectives.
Follow their journey and more incredible stories from the Fall 2024 Voyage on our social media channels!
Julia and Macy were able to sail thanks to the incredible generosity of the Reese family. The David E. Reese Family Foundation provided funding to ensure ASL interpreters were available to support not only Julia and Macy but also the entire shipboard community. We are deeply grateful for their support—thank you!
