I first discovered Semester at Sea at the study abroad fair at the University of Florida as a freshman in spring 2012. The next fall, I attended the same study abroad fair at UF as an accepted student for the Spring 2013 voyage of Semester at Sea. At this second study abroad fair, I got the chance to meet a Semester at Sea alumna and “Global Ambassador” for UF for the first time and get a feel for what I should expect before, during, and after my voyage. After speaking with her, I found myself working the SAS booth as if I was already a Global Ambassador. This was when I realized that my journey with Semester at Sea would continue after my voyage.
SAS Global Ambassadors are outstanding and articulate SAS student alumni who possess a strong desire to spread the mission, vision, and value of Semester at Sea on their college or university campus. Through innovation and creativity, each ambassador keeps their story of SAS alive and invites others to embark on their own voyage of discovery with SAS.
When I returned to the University of Florida as an SAS alumna, I was ecstatic to hear that I had been accepted into the Global Ambassador program and couldn’t wait to get started. Being an engineer, I had a unique perspective on the courses offered through SAS and could talk to other engineers that were looking into SAS as their study abroad program of choice. I held numerous information sessions for accepted students and also had one-on-one meetings with potential applicants to discuss scholarship opportunities and how the transfer credits worked at UF.
The Global Ambassador program is essential for recruitment for SAS. It helps students get personal opinions from the alumni themselves, as opposed to that of an SAS employee. Although the SAS employees may be more familiar with the program in general, the Global Ambassadors have a focused knowledge base on their particular university and how it deals with SAS when it comes down to program approval, credit transfer, scholarships, etc.
I have been a Global Ambassador for two years now. Over these two years, I’ve been able to relive my voyage every time I talk to a potential applicant. Whether it’s at one of the study abroad fairs, an information session I’m hosting, or when someone stops me in the hallway to ask me a question (yes, that has happened!), I do my best to convey what it’s like to be on Semester at Sea. What it means to feel at home on a ship. Why it’s a ship, not a boat. What it’s like to wake up in a new country nearly every day. I continue to be a Global Ambassador because I love talking to potential applicants in the hopes that one (though hopefully more) would turn out like me and realize their once in a lifetime is now.
Interested in becoming a Global Ambassador for Semester at Sea? Visit: https://www.semesteratsea.org/alumni/global-ambassadors-program/
