Dr. Pete Seel, professor emeritus at Colorado State University, is a master storyteller with a distinguished career in video production, photojournalism, telecommunications, and documentary history. While his professional journey spans decades, it is his passion for teaching and experiential learning that truly sets him apart.
This marks Dr. Seel’s fourth voyage with Semester at Sea, a program he holds close to his heart. His experiences on previous voyages inspired him to create media-focused study-abroad courses at Colorado State University, furthering his commitment to connecting students with the world through storytelling.
A Powerful Start to the Spring 2025 Voyage
Although the Spring 2025 Voyage is just beginning, Dr. Seel has already shared a transformative experience with students during an advanced photography field class in Ho Chi Minh City.
For students, the field class was an opportunity to practice photojournalism in a dynamic urban setting. For Dr. Seel, however, it was also a deeply personal return to a city where he once served as an Air Force photographer during the Vietnam War. The experience blended reflection, history, and the art of visual storytelling.
As he led students through the bustling streets, lively markets, and historical landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Seel shared personal stories from his time there decades ago. Students not only learned the technical aspects of photography but also gained insight into the city’s transformation and resilience.
By the end of the day, students had captured images that reflected their own interpretations of the city. Dr. Seel’s guidance and personal narrative enriched the experience, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Seel’s impact on the Spring 2025 community is already profound. His unique blend of expertise, personal experience, and passion for teaching promises to create many more meaningful moments throughout the voyage.
To gain further insight into his perspective, Kyler, our Spring 2025 Social Media Coordinator, sat down with Dr. Seel to discuss what excites him most about this journey.
Q&A with Dr. Pete Seel
Q: What are you most looking forward to as the Spring 2025 Voyage unfolds?
A: This is my fourth voyage, so I know what to look for—how students grow as the voyage progresses. For my photography students, I see their work improve with every port.
There’s a bit of positive peer pressure involved. In class, we showcase student work, and I make sure there’s a round of applause after each presentation. Seeing what their classmates are doing pushes students to step up their own work. As a result, their photos get better, their captions become more detailed, and their storytelling deepens. Watching that learning curve in action is what I enjoy most.
Q: How do your photography classes help shape students’ global perspectives?
A: Both my photography and documentary film classes are designed to connect students with the cultures we visit. For example, in the film class, we select documentaries that provide deeper context for upcoming destinations.
Before we arrive in India, we’ll watch an Academy Award-winning documentary called Born into Brothels. It follows children living in Kolkata’s red-light district and their introduction to photography through a journalist who initially set out to document the lives of the women there. Instead, she gave cameras to the children and let them tell their own stories.
The results were stunning—raw, emotional, and deeply insightful. This film gives students a window into a subculture they might not otherwise see while also touching on broader cultural themes like caste and societal structures. By engaging with films like this before arriving in a country, students develop a more informed and empathetic perspective.
Q: What advice would you give students about capturing meaningful stories through their cameras?
A: During the first week on the ship, I gave a Cross-Currents seminar called 12 Steps to Improving Your Photography and Videography. My key message was simple: just ask for the photo.
Asking is not only polite, but it also creates an interaction. And in doing so, you’re engaging with people as fellow photographers. Today, anyone with a phone is a photographer, so when you ask to take someone’s picture, you’re connecting with them on a shared experience.
I’ve found that people are far more willing to be photographed if you simply ask. And because of that, students are capturing better, more authentic portraits. More importantly, this practice builds bridges between cultures—because, in the end, it’s one photographer talking to another. My hope is that students will use photography as a tool to reach across cultures and tell stories that matter.
A Legacy of Storytelling and Connection
As the voyage continues, Dr. Pete Seel remains a guiding force, helping students see the world through new lenses—both literally and figuratively. His passion for photography, education, and cultural connection exemplifies the transformative power of Semester at Sea.
Stay tuned for more stories from the Spring 2025 Voyage as Dr. Seel and his students continue to capture the world’s beauty, challenges, and triumphs, one frame at a time.
