ETSU student Ali Johnson spends a Semester at Sea, visiting 10 countries while studying global education.
Most students spend their semesters taking courses on campus, while some spend a few weeks or a full semester studying abroad at colleges and universities around the world. One East Tennessee State University student has spent this spring semester somewhere else entirely – at sea.
Ali Johnson of Manassas, Virginia, learned of an opportunity called Semester at Sea several years ago through social media, and never forgot about it.
What is Semester at Sea?
Semester at Sea is a multi-country study abroad program on a ship that is open to students of all majors and that emphasizes global comparative study. Since its first voyage in 1926, Semester at Sea has been cultivating global citizenship, teaching students to interact with a wide range of cultures and broadening their understanding of the world.
Johnson said Semester at Sea is different from traditional study abroad programs, because participants live and learn on a ship while traveling the world.
“Getting to visit 10 countries on three continents in just 105 days and fully experience their cultures felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “Semester at Sea is truly a place where your dreams can become reality, and it’s shown me my full potential and just how passionate I am about both access to and quality of education worldwide.”
Global study connects culture, environment and education
Johnson’s Semester at Sea will draw to a close later this month. Since January, she has been taking four classes aboard the ship.
“Two classes that have stood out the most to me are ‘Global Studies’ and ‘Comparative Education,’” said Johnson, the daughter of an educator who has long wanted to become a teacher herself. “In ‘Global Studies,’ we learn about environmental issues and challenges in the countries we visit, and in ‘Comparative Education,’ we explore how education systems differ and what we can learn from them.”
Johnson and her classmates have visited Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Morocco. The final stops on the agenda before the voyage wraps up are Spain and Germany.
“Being able to connect what I’m learning in the classroom to what I’m seeing in each country has made everything feel so real and impactful,” Johnson said. “I’ve been most excited about experiencing new cultures, meeting new people and learning in ways I never could in a traditional classroom.
Global perspective shapes future educator
Johnson, an elementary education major at ETSU, said the Semester at Sea is having a profound impact on her as a future educator.
“Seeing different education systems and meeting people from all over the world has given me a broader, more global perspective on what access to quality education really means,” she said. “It’s not just having a seat in a classroom, but having the resources, support and opportunities needed to truly succeed. It has shown me that every student learns in their own way and faces unique challenges, which has strengthened my passion for creating a classroom where every student feels seen, valued and included.
“I want to take what I’ve learned from these global experiences to provide meaningful, high-quality learning opportunities that help my students feel supported, confident and encouraged to reach their full potential, while also helping them develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.”
The impact of experiential learning
Dr. Janna Scarborough, dean of the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development at ETSU, agrees.
“By choosing to participate in Semester at Sea, Ali not only fulfilled a personal dream, but also challenged herself to gain a global perspective beyond the traditional classroom. This kind of intentional engagement is exactly what prepares future teachers to lead with empathy and understanding, while working to expand the possibilities and dreams of their students.”
Study abroad is just one of many opportunities ETSU provides for students to gain hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom.
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